Storage container with integral flap

Claim 2

A storage container for storing a compact disc having an aperture and an edge, comprising: a first flexible sheet; a nonwoven fabric sheet overlaying said first flexible sheet; and a second flexible sheet overlaying said nonwoven fabric sheet opposite said first flexible sheet and joined to said first flexible sheet through said nonwoven fabric sheet to define a compact disc storage area, said second flexible sheet having a cut to define a flap portion which hinges along a hinge line and opens along an opening line to allow access to said compact disc storage area, said flap portion having a width that decreases in a direction toward said hinge line and said cut terminating at two ends and having arcuate regions adjacent said ends, whereby said arcuate regions resist tearing of said flap portion at said ends when accessing said compact disc storage area.

Claim 3

The storage container of claim 1 further comprising a reverse sheet joined to said first flexible sheet opposite said nonwoven fabric sheet along three sides thereof to define a pocket for retaining graphics therein.

Claim 4

The storage container of claim 1 further comprising a storage area affixed along and adjacent a side edge of said compact disc storage area for retaining identifying graphics.

Claim 5

The storage container of claim 1 further comprising a fastening portion connected to said compact disc storage area for securing said storage container in a display and storage book.

Claim 6

The storage container of claim 1 further comprising a hole-punched portion adjacent to said compact disc storage area to allow said storage container to be retained in a ring binder.

Claim 7

The storage container of claim 1 wherein said nonwoven fabric sheet is produced from polyester film.

Claim 8

The storage container of claim 1 wherein said second flexible sheet is transparent.

Claim 9

The storage container of claim 7 wherein said transparent second flexible sheet is produced from vinyl.

Claim 10

The storage container of claim 1 wherein said flap portion extends from said hinge line at least to an approximate center point of said compact disc storage area to overlie at least a portion of the aperture of said compact disc when said compact disc is fully received in said compact disc storage area thereby permitting simultaneous access to both the edge and aperture of said compact disc upon opening of said flap portion.

Claim 11

The storage container of claim 1 wherein said second flexible sheet is joined to said first flexible sheet through said nonwoven fabric sheet by heat lamination.

Claim 12

The storage container of claim 2 further comprising a storage area affixed along and adjacent a side edge of said pocket for retaining identifying graphics.

Claim 13

The storage container of claim 1 wherein said arcuate regions sweep an arc of about 90 degrees to about 270 degrees.

Claim 14

The storage container of claim 1 wherein said arcuate regions sweep an arc of about 180 degrees.

Claim 15

A combination including a storage container and a compact disc having an aperture and an edge, wherein said storage container comprises: a first flexible sheet; a nonwoven fabric sheet overlaying said first flexible sheet; and, a second flexible sheet overlaying said nonwoven fabric sheet opposite said first flexible sheet and joined to said first flexible sheet through said nonwoven fabric sheet to define a compact disc storage area in which said nonwoven fabric sheet to define a compact disc storage area in which said compact disc is disposed, said second flexible sheet having a cut to define a flap portion which hinges along a hinge line and opens along an opening line to allow access to said compact disc storage area, wherein said flap portion has a width that decreases in a direction toward said hinge line and extends from said hinge line a distance sufficient to overlie at least a portion of the aperture of said compact disc thereby permitting simultaneous access to both the edge and aperture of said compact disc upon opening of said flap portion.

Claim 16

A combination including a storage container and a compact disc having an aperture and an edge, wherein said storage container comprises: a first flexible sheet; a nonwoven fabric sheet overlaying said first flexible sheet; and, a second flexible sheet overlaying said nonwoven fabric sheet opposite said first flexible sheet and joined to said first flexible sheet through said nonwoven fabric sheet to define a compact disc storage area in which said nonwoven fabric sheet to define a compact disc storage area in which said compact disc is disposed, said second flexible sheet having a cut to define a flap portion which hinges along a hinge line and opens along an opening line to allow access to said compact disc storage area, wherein said flap portion has a width that decreases in a direction toward said hinge line and extends from said hinge line a distance sufficient to overlie at least a portion of the aperture of said compact disc thereby permitting simultaneous access to both the edge and aperture of said compact disc upon opening of said flap portion.

Claim 17

The combination as claimed in claim 14 wherein said hinge line is positioned so as to be essentially tangential to the edge of said compact disc.

Claim 18

The combination as claimed in claim 14 wherein said flap portion has a width that decreases in a direction toward said hinge line.

Claim 19

A storage container for storing a compact disc having an aperture and an edge, said storage container comprising: a first flexible sheet; a nonwoven fabric sheet overlaying said first flexible sheet; and, a second flexible sheet overlaying said nonwoven fabric sheet opposite said first flexible sheet and joined to said first flexible sheet through said nonwoven fabric sheet to define a compact disc storage area for holding said compact disc, said second flexible sheet having a cut to define a flap portion which hinges along a hinge line and opens along an opening line to allow access to said compact disc storage area, said flap portion having a width that decreases in a direction toward said hinge line.

Claim 20

A storage container for storing a compact disc having an aperture and an edge, said storage container comprising: a first flexible sheet; a nonwoven fabric sheet overlaying said first flexible sheet; and, a second flexible sheet overlaying said nonwoven fabric sheet opposite said first flexible sheet and joined to said first flexible sheet through said nonwoven fabric sheet to define a compact disc storage area for holding said compact disc, said second flexible sheet having a cut to define a flap portion which hinges along a hinge line and opens along an opening line to allow access to said compact disc storage area, said flap portion having a width that decreases in a direction toward said hinge line.

Claim 21

The storage container of claim 17 wherein said flap portion extends from said hinge line at least to an approximate center point of said compact disc storage area to overlie at least a portion of the aperture of said compact disc when said compact disc is fully received in said compact disc storage area thereby permitting simultaneous access to both the edge and aperture of said compact disc upon opening of said flap portion.

Claim 22

A storage container for storing a compact disc having an aperture and an edge, comprising: a first flexible sheet; a nonwoven fabric sheet overlaying said first flexible sheet; a second flexible sheet overlaying said nonwoven fabric sheet opposite said first flexible sheet and joined to said first flexible sheet with said nonwoven fabric sheet disposed therebetween to define a compact disc storage area between said nonwoven fabric sheet and said second flexible sheet, said storage area being bound at its sides by first seals at first peripheral edges and a second seal at the top peripheral edge, said second flexible sheet having a generally "U"-shaped cut to define an access opening to said compact disc storage area, the ends of said cut each extending from a location adjacent said second seal to a location approximately in a center of the storage area; and, an elongate graphics storage pocket extending along and peripherally outside of one of said first peripheral edge of said compact disc storage area, said graphics storage pocket being formed from flexible sheets of material overlying each other and being connected together to form the graphics storage pocket therebetween, said graphics storage pocket further including a graphics insert opening for receiving an elongate strip of graphics.

Claim 23

A storage container for storing a compact disc having an aperture and an edge, comprising: a first flexible sheet; a nonwoven fabric sheet overlaying said first flexible sheet; a second flexible sheet overlaying said nonwoven fabric sheet opposite said first flexible sheet and joined to said first flexible sheet with said nonwoven fabric sheet disposed therebetween to define a compact disc storage area between said nonwoven fabric sheet and said second flexible sheet, said storage area being bound at its sides by first seals at first peripheral edges and a second seal at the top peripheral edge, said second flexible sheet having a generally "U"-shaped cut to define an access opening to said compact disc storage area, the ends of said cut each extending from a location adjacent said second seal to a location approximately in a center of the storage area; and, an elongate graphics storage pocket extending along and peripherally outside of one of said first peripheral edge of said compact disc storage area, said graphics storage pocket being formed from flexible sheets of material overlying each other and being connected together to form the graphics storage pocket therebetween, said graphics storage pocket further including a graphics insert opening for receiving an elongate strip of graphics.

Claim 24

The storage container of claim 19 wherein said graphics storage pocket is bounded by a first seal disposed adjacent said first peripheral edge, a second seal formed generally parallel to and spaced from said first seal and formed between the flexible sheets forming the graphics storage pocket, and third and fourth seals formed between the flexible sheets forming the graphics storage pocket and located at respective first and second ends of said graphics storage pocket, said third and fourth seals extending generally between said first and second seals.

Claim 25

The storage container of claim 20 wherein said graphics insert opening is located at one of said first and second ends of said graphics storage pocket.

Claim 26

The storage container of claim 20 wherein the third seal is generally in line with a first compact disc storage area seal formed between said first and second flexible sheets with said nonwoven fabric sheet therebetween and defining a second peripheral edge of said compact disc storage area which is substantially perpendicular to said first peripheral edge.

Claim 27

The storage container of claim 20 wherein the fourth seal is generally in line with a second compact disc storage area seal formed between said first and second flexible sheets with said nonwoven fabric sheet therebetween and defining a third peripheral edge of said compact disc storage area which is substantially perpendicular to the first peripheral edge and substantially parallel to the second peripheral edge.

Claim 28

The storage container of claim 19 wherein said graphics storage pocket is formed by respective extensions of said first flexible sheet, said second flexible sheet and said nonwoven fabric sheet.

Claim 29

A storage container for storing a compact disc having an aperture and an edge, comprising: a first flexible sheet; a nonwoven fabric sheet overlaying said first flexible sheet; a second flexible sheet overlaying said nonwoven fabric sheet opposite said first flexible sheet and joined to said first flexible sheet with said nonwoven fabric sheet disposed therebetween to define a compact disc storage area between said nonwoven fabric sheet and said second flexible sheet, said storage area being bound at its sides by first seals at first peripheral edges and a second seal at the top peripheral edge, said second flexible sheet having a generally "U"-shaped cut to define an access opening to said compact disc storage area, the ends of said cut each extending from a location adjacent said second seal to a location approximately in a center of the storage area; and, a graphics storage pocket formed adjacent to one of said first peripheral edge of said compact disc storage area, said graphics storage pocket being formed by an extension of said first flexible sheet extending peripherally outside said first peripheral edge and an overlying sheet portion affixed to the extension of said first flexible sheet to form said graphics storage pocket therebetween, said graphics storage pocket further including a graphics insert opening for receiving an elongate strip of graphics.

Claim 30

A storage container for storing a compact disc having an aperture and an edge, comprising: a first flexible sheet; a nonwoven fabric sheet overlaying said first flexible sheet; a second flexible sheet overlaying said nonwoven fabric sheet opposite said first flexible sheet and joined to said first flexible sheet with said nonwoven fabric sheet disposed therebetween to define a compact disc storage area between said nonwoven fabric sheet and said second flexible sheet, said storage area being bound at its sides by first seals at first peripheral edges and a second seal at the top peripheral edge, said second flexible sheet having a generally "U"-shaped cut to define an access opening to said compact disc storage area, the ends of said cut each extending from a location adjacent said second seal to a location approximately in a center of the storage area; and, a graphics storage pocket formed adjacent to one of said first peripheral edge of said compact disc storage area, said graphics storage pocket being formed by an extension of said first flexible sheet extending peripherally outside said first peripheral edge and an overlying sheet portion affixed to the extension of said first flexible sheet to form said graphics storage pocket therebetween, said graphics storage pocket further including a graphics insert opening for receiving an elongate strip of graphics.

Claim 31

The storage container of claim 25 wherein said graphics insert opening is contained in said overlying sheet portion.

Claim 32

The storage container of claim 25 wherein said graphics storage pocket is bounded by a first seal formed between the extension of said first flexible sheet and said overlying sheet portion adjacent sad first peripheral edge, a second seal generally parallel to and spaced from said first seal and formed between the extension of said first flexible sheet and said overlying sheet portion, and third and fourth seals formed between the extension of said first flexible sheet and said overlying sheet portion at respective first and second ends of said graphics storage pocket and extending generally between said first and second seals.

Claim 33

The storage container of claim 27 wherein said graphics insert opening is located at one of said first and second ends of said graphics storage pocket.

Claim 34

The storage container of claim 27 wherein the third seal is generally in line with a first compact disc storage area seal formed between said first and second flexible sheets with said nonwoven fabric sheet therebetween and defining a second peripheral edge of said compact disc storage area which is substantially perpendicular to said first peripheral edge.

Claim 35

The storage container of claim 27 wherein the fourth seal is generally in line with a second compact disc storage area seal formed between said first and second flexible sheets with said nonwoven fabric sheet therebetween and defining a third peripheral edge of said compact disc storage area which is substantially perpendicular to the first peripheral edge and substantially parallel to the second peripheral edge.

Claim 36

The storage container of claim 25 wherein said graphics storage pocket is further formed by an extension of said nonwoven fabric sheet,

Claim 37

The storage container of claim 25 wherein said overlying sheet portion is formed by an extension of said second flexible sheet.

Claim 38

A storage container for storing a compact disc having an aperture and an edge, comprising: a first flexible sheet; a nonwoven fabric sheet overlaying said first flexible sheet; a second flexible sheet overlaying said nonwoven fabric sheet opposite said first flexible sheet and joined to said first flexible sheet with said nonwoven fabric sheet disposed therebetween to define a compact disc storage area between said nonwoven fabric sheet and said second flexible sheet, said storage area being bound at its sides by first seals at first peripheral edges and a second seal at the top peripheral edge, said second flexible sheet having a generally "U"-shaped cut to define an access opening to said compact disc storage area, the ends of said cut each extending from a location adjacent said second seal to a location approximately in a center of the storage area; and, a graphics storage pocket formed adjacent to one of said first peripheral edge of said compact disc storage area, said graphics storage pocket being formed by an extension of said second flexible sheet extending peripherally outside said first peripheral edge and an overlying sheet portion affixed to the extension of said second flexible sheet to form said graphics storage pocket therebetween, said graphics storage pocket further including a graphics insert opening for receiving an elongate strip of graphics.

Claim 39

A storage container for storing a compact disc having an aperture and an edge, comprising: a first flexible sheet; a nonwoven fabric sheet overlaying said first flexible sheet; a second flexible sheet overlaying said nonwoven fabric sheet opposite said first flexible sheet and joined to said first flexible sheet with said nonwoven fabric sheet disposed therebetween to define a compact disc storage area between said nonwoven fabric sheet and said second flexible sheet, said storage area being bound at its sides by first seals at first peripheral edges and a second seal at the top peripheral edge, said second flexible sheet having a generally "U"-shaped cut to define an access opening to said compact disc storage area, the ends of said cut each extending from a location adjacent said second seal to a location approximately in a center of the storage area; and, a graphics storage pocket formed adjacent to one of said first peripheral edge of said compact disc storage area, said graphics storage pocket being formed by an extension of said second flexible sheet extending peripherally outside said first peripheral edge and an overlying sheet portion affixed to the extension of said second flexible sheet to form said graphics storage pocket therebetween, said graphics storage pocket further including a graphics insert opening for receiving an elongate strip of graphics.

Claim 40

The storage container of claim 33 wherein said graphics insert opening is contained in the extension of said second flexible sheet.

Claim 41

The storage container of claim 33 wherein said graphics storage pocket is bounded by a first seal formed between the extension of said second flexible sheet and said overlying sheet portion adjacent said first peripheral edge, a second seal generally parallel to and spaced from said first seal and formed between the extension of said second flexible sheet and said overlying sheet portion, and third and fourth seals formed between the extension of said second flexible sheet and said overlying sheet portion at respective first and second ends of said graphics storage pocket and extending generally between said first and second seals.

Claim 42

The storage container of claim 35 wherein said graphics insert opening is located at one of said first and second ends of said graphics storage pocket.

Claim 43

The storage container of claim 35 wherein the third seal is generally in line with a first compact disc storage area seal formed between said first and second flexible sheets with said nonwoven fabric sheet therebetween and defining a second peripheral edge of said compact disc storage area which is substantially perpendicular to said first peripheral edge.

Claim 44

The storage container of claim 35 wherein the fourth seal is generally in line with a second compact disc storage area seal formed between said first and second flexible sheets with said nonwoven fabric sheet therebetween and defining a third peripheral edge of said compact disc storage area which is substantially perpendicular to the first peripheral edge and substantially parallel to the second peripheral edge.

Claim 45

The storage container of claim 33 wherein said graphics storage pocket is further formed by an extension of said nonwoven fabric sheet.

Claim 46

A storage container for storing a compact disc having an aperture and an edge, comprising: a first flexible sheet; a nonwoven fabric sheet overlaying said first flexible sheet; a second flexible sheet overlaying said nonwoven fabric sheet opposite said first flexible sheet and joined to said first flexible sheet with said nonwoven fabric sheet disposed therebetween to define a compact disc storage area between said nonwoven fabric sheet and said second flexible sheet, said second flexible sheet having a generally "U"-shaped cut to define an access opening to said compact disc storage area; and, front and rear graphics storage pockets extending along and peripherally outside of a first peripheral edge of said compact disc storage area, said front and rear graphics storage pockets being formed from flexible sheets of material overlying each other and being connected together to form the front and rear graphics storage pockets therebetween, said front and rear graphics storage pockets further including graphics insert openings for receiving respective elongate strips of graphics.

Claim 47

A storage container for storing a compact disc having an aperture and an edge, comprising: a first flexible sheet; a nonwoven fabric sheet overlaying said first flexible sheet; a second flexible sheet overlaying said nonwoven fabric sheet opposite said first flexible sheet and joined to said first flexible sheet with said nonwoven fabric sheet disposed therebetween to define a compact disc storage area between said nonwoven fabric sheet and said second flexible sheet, said second flexible sheet having a generally "U"-shaped cut to define an access opening to said compact disc storage area; and, front and rear graphics storage pockets extending along and peripherally outside of a first peripheral edge of said compact disc storage area, said front and rear graphics storage pockets being formed from flexible sheets of material overlying each other and being connected together to form the front and rear graphics storage pockets therebetween, said front and rear graphics storage pockets further including graphics insert openings for receiving respective elongate strips of graphics.

Claim 48

The storage container of claim 40 wherein said rear graphics storage pockets is formed by an extension of said first flexible sheet.

Claim 49

The storage container of claim 40 wherein said front graphics storage pockets is formed by an extension of said second flexible sheet.

Claim 50

The storage container of claim 40 further comprising a second graphics storage pocket formed adjacent to said rear graphics storage pocket and being larger than said rear graphics storage pocket.