Title of Invention

SLEEVE ASSEMBLY FOR HOLDING DIGITAL MEDIA DISK

Abstract A sleeve assembly (200) for a digital media disk (90) or similar flat product is disclosed. The sleeve assembly includes a sleeve member (210) having a plurality of hingedly connected panels (216, 226, 236), wherein one or more of the panels includes apertures (212). Two of the panels include retaining members (221, 231). In some embodiments, a semirigid disk holder is attached to a panel, for retaining the disk. A removable placard (260), having identifying indicia that is at least partially visible through the apertures, and is removably retained by the retaining members. In some embodiments, and aperture (214) is included on the hinge spine, such that a portion of the placard can be seen from the end of a folded sleeve assembly. The sleeve member may be genetic, while the placard includes specific indicia related to the received disk.
Full Text SLEEVE ASSEMBLY FOR HOLDING DIGITAL MEDIA DISK
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation-in-part of prior Application. No. 10/800,811,
filed March 15,2004, priority from the filing date of which is hereby claimed under
35 U.S.C. § 120.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to packaging systems and, in particular, to
packaging for flat products such as compact disks and digital video disks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Digital information/entertainment products are increasingly being distributed on
flat storage media, such as compact disks ("CDs"), digital video disks ("DVDs"), and the
like. For example, music, music videos, movies, software, photographs, promotional
materials such as catalogues and directories are commonly produced and distributed on
CDs and/or DVDs. CDs, DVDs, and similar flat storage media are collectively referred
to herein as "digital media disks." Digital media disks have many advantages over other
prior art storage media. They are relatively easy and inexpensive to produce, flexible to
modify and format, and provide a convenient form factor. Although the most common
digital media disks are circular with a diameter of about 12 cm, digital media disks
having different sizes and/or shapes are also available. Digital media disks are generally
amenable to external markings—for example, to identify the digital content stored on the
media and/or to provide other aesthetic, promotional, and/or informational content.
Players for the various types of digital media disks are becoming ubiquitous.
The packaging of music CDs, for example, frequently includes a hard, transparent
or semitransparent, plastic case, often called a "jewel case." An insert or placard is
frequently insertable into the jewel case, providing identifying indicia indicating the
content of the CD. The insert may include other information, such as a play list, lyrics,
copyright notice, content warnings or ratings, and credits such as the various artists and
producers involved in producing the CD.
The conventional jewel case, however, has some disadvantages. The jewel case is
relatively thick and heavy, with many hard corners. This may make the jewel case (and
enclosed CD) inconvenient to carry around, such as in a pocket or backpack. The jewel
case is also typically formed of a brittle, hard plastic that is susceptible to scratching and

breakage. For example, the jewel case may break when dropped or otherwise mishandled
and, in particular, the integral hinge mechanism is susceptible to damage. The jewel case
also can be difficult to open. The jewel case also typically includes an engagement
member that extends through the center hole in the CD and clasps the CD to secure it to
the case and prevent it from accidentally falling out while the jewel case is being opened.
Such engagement members, however, may farther complicate removal of the CD and, in
particular, may result in damage to the CD—for example, if the user attempts to remove
the CD by pulling upwardly on an outer edge without first disengaging the mechanism.
Such jewel cases are also relatively expensive to produce.
Other cases for CDs have been proposed that overcome some of the jewel case
disadvantages discussed above, utilizing paperboard material to form the carrier. For
example, U.S. Patent No. 5,655,656 discloses a two-piece sleeve package for compact
disks made from paperboard card stock, having an outer container and a separable inner
sleeve that slidably engages the outer container. U.S. Patent No. 6,241,085 discloses a
folded paperboard CD carrier for holding a plurality of CDs in a side-by-side
arrangement U.S. Patent No. 6,637,588 discloses a folded paperboard CD carrier having
a folded panel including a protrusion that is adapted to be inserted through the center
aperture of the CD. However, these carriers are relatively complex. Moreover, because
paperboard is opaque, the user cannot readily identify the content of the enclosed CD
without opening the carrier.
There remains a need, therefore, for a carrier for digital media disks such as CDs
and DVDs that is relatively simple and easy to produce, and easy to open for removing a
digital media disk.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A sleeve assembly for a digital media disk such as a compact disk, digital video
disk, or the like, is disclosed. The sleeve assembly allows the use of a generic sleeve
member that does not have product-specific indicia, in combination with a placard that is
removably retained therewith, the placard having product-specific indicia. At least a
portion of the identifying indicia is visible through one or more apertures in the sleeve
assembly, even when the sleeve assembly is in a closed configuration. The sleeve
assembly includes a multipanel sleeve member, such as a three-panel, trifold type sleeve,
wherein a first and second panel each includes a retaining member for retaining the
placard having identifying indicia printed thereon. One or both of the first and second

panels have apertures that are positioned to expose at least a portion of the identifying
indicia on the placard. A third panel includes a pocket that opens inwardly or other
retaining device that is adapted to receive a digital media disk such that the disk is
securely retained in the sleeve when the sleeve assembly is folded to a closed position.
In an embodiment of the invention, an aperture is provided, disposed generally
between the first and second panels, whereby when the sleeve assembly is closed, the
aperture extends across the spine of the fold to expose a portion of the placard that is
viewable from the end of the sleeve assembly. This may allow the user to identify a
particular disk from a stack of similar disks.
In an embodiment of the invention, the sleeve assembly includes a multipanel
sleeve having a first sleeve panel with a first retaining member, a second sleeve panel
with a second retaining member, the first sleeve panel hingedly connected to the second
sleeve panel along a sleeve spine. Means for releasably attaching a digital media disk to
the multipanel sleeve are included. A placard is provided having identifying indicia
printed thereon. The placard is sized to engage the first and second retaining members
such that the placard is removably retained on the sleeve and at least a portion of the
identifying indicia is viewable through a viewing aperture through the multipanel sleeve
when the sleeve is closed.
In an embodiment of the invention, the sleeve assembly includes a hinged portion
that retains the placard on an outer surface and a separable box portion that receives the
hinged portion, and includes apertures through which at least a portion of the identifying
indicia is viewable.
The present invention includes a method for packaging a digital media disk
including the steps of providing a multipanel sleeve including means for retaining a
digital media disk, the sleeve having at least one viewing aperture therethrough, retaining
the disk in the sleeve, printing a placard having identifying indicia associated with the
digital media disk, and retaining the placard on the sleeve such that the identifying indicia
is visible through the viewing aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will
become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to
the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a sleeve assembly for a
digital media disk, shown in the folded configuration and made in accordance with the
present invention;
FIGURES 2A and 2B show the sleeve assembly of FIGURE 1, partially and then
substantially fully open;
FIGURE 3 is an exploded view of the sleeve assembly shown in FIGURE 1,
showing insertion of the placard and the digital media disk;
FIGURES 4A and 4B show front and back views of the sleeve assembly shown in
FIGURE 1, wherein the sleeve assembly is fully open;
FIGURE 5 is an end view showing a number of assembled sleeve assemblies;
FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the die-cut blank, showing the fold lines for making
the sleeve portion of the sleeve assembly shown in FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a sleeve assembly
according to the present invention, shown substantially fully open;
FIGURES 8A and 8B are front and back plan views, respectively, of the placard
portion of the sleeve assembly shown in FIGURE 7;
FIGURE 9 is a plan view of a die-cut blank showing the tabs and fold lines for
making the sleeve portion of the assembly shown in FIGURE 7;
FIGURE 10A is a partially exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a
sleeve assembly according to the present invention, wherein the sleeve member includes
a hinged portion and a separable box portion;
FIGURE 10B is a perspective view of the sleeve assembly shown in
FIGURE 10A, shown fully closed; and
FIGURES 11A and 1 IB are front and back views, respectively, of the hinged
portion of the sleeve assembly shown in FIGURE 10A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A currently preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described
with reference to the figures, wherein like numbers indicate like parts. FIGURE 1 is a
perspective view of an assembled digital media disk sleeve assembly 100 shown in a
closed, or folded, configuration. The sleeve assembly 100 includes a sleeve member 110
that is preferably die-cut from a sheet of paperboard, as discussed in detail below. The
sleeve member 110 includes a front aperture 112 and a spine aperture 114. A removable
placard 160 (partially visible in FIGURE 1) is disposed generally inside the folded sleeve

member 110 and includes a portion that is visible through the front aperture 112 and the
spine aperture 114 of the sleeve member 110. The placard 160 may include first
identifying indicia 162 printed or otherwise disposed on the placard to be visible through
the front aperture 112, and second identifying indicia 164 printed or otherwise disposed
on the placard 160 to be visible through the spine aperture 114.
FIGURE 2A shows the sleeve assembly 100 partially opened and FIGURE 2B
shows the sleeve assembly 100 substantially fully opened, with the placard 160 shown in
phantom to expose details of the sleeve member 110 and arrows included to show the
unfolding sequence. The sleeve assembly 100 is shown having a three-panel or "trifold11
configuration. It is contemplated, however, that the present invention may be readily
practiced using a four-panel or more than four-panel sleeve assembly in a straightforward
manner without departing from the present invention and may be readily adapted to hold
more than one digital media disk.
As seen most clearly in FIGURE 2B, the sleeve member 110 includes a first end
panel 116, a middle panel 126, and a second end panel 136. The first end panel 116 is
hingedly connected to the middle panel 126 through hinge portion 118, which is
preferably formed by two closely-spaced, parallel folds 119, 120. A first retaining
member 121 overlies and generally conforms to the distal portion of the first end
panel 116. The first retaining member 121 is connected to the first end panel 116 at the
top edge 121A and bottom edge 121B, and is free or open on the sides 121C such that a
flat channel or opening is formed between the first retaining member 121 and the first end
panel 116.
The middle panel 126 is also hingedly connected to the second end panel 136
through hinge portion 128, which is preferably formed by a single transverse fold. The
middle panel 126 includes a second retaining member 131 opposite the first retaining
member 121 and disposed generally adjacent to the second end panel. The second
retaining member 131 is connected to the middle panel 126 at the top edge 131A and
bottom edge 13 IB, and free on the sides 131C, such that a flat channel or opening is
formed between the second retaining member 131 and the middle panel 126.
The second end panel 136 includes a pocket member 141 disposed at the distal
end of the second end panel 136. The pocket member 141 is connected to the second end
panel 136 at a top edge 141 A, bottom edge 141B, and distal side edge 141C, and open at
the proximal side edge 141D, to form a pocket. The pocket is sized to slidably receive a

digital media disk 90. The proximal edge 141D of the pocket member 141 may include a
semicircular cutout 144 mat is positioned to expose the central aperture 92 of the digital
media disk 90 to permit a user to remove the disk 90 by inserting a finger into the
aperture 92 to slide the disk 90 outwardly, away from the pocket
The hinge portion 118 between the first end panel 116 and the middle panel 126 is
wider than the hinge portion 128 between the middle panel 126 and the second end
portion 136, such that when the sleeve assembly 100 is folded or closed, as shown in
FIGURE 1, the hinge portion 118 will accommodate the thickness of the second end
panel 136, including the digital media disk 90.
It will be appreciated from FIGURE 3 that the placard 160 is sized to overlie the
combineJ first end panel 116 and middle panel 126 such that the opposite end
portions 160A, 160B of the placard 160 may be slidably inserted in the respective flat
channels formed by the first and second retaining members 121, 131. In particular, the
placard 160 is a flexible, simple paperboard panel wherein the left end 160A may be
inserted underneath the first retaining member 121 and the right end 160B may be
inserted underneath the second retaining member 131. The placard 160 may then be
slidably adjusted to generally overlie the first end panel 116 and the middle panel 118 of
the sleeve member 110. The digital media disk 90 is inserted into the pocket formed by
the pocket member 141. The placard 160 includes a center hinge portion 169 that
overlies the sleeve member hinge portion 118.
FIGURE 4A shows a front view of the open, assembled sleeve assembly 100 and
FIGURE 4B shows a rear view of the sleeve assembly 100. It is contemplated that the
front of the placard 160 may include a third identifying indicia 166 suitable for the
particular digital media disk—for example, a play list, user instructions, included
features, copyright notice, or other product information. It is also contemplated that a
fourth identifying indicia 168 may be printed one or both of the end portions 160A, 160B
of the placard 160 that are obscured by the first and second retaining members 121, 131.
For example, it may be aesthetically desirable to put rarely accessed information or
semiprivate information on the end portions 160A, 16OB of the placard 160.
Referring now to FIGURE 4B, the back side of the placard 160 includes first and
second identifying indicia 162, 164 that are positioned to be visible through the front
aperture 112 and spine aperture 114, respectively, when the placard 160 is hi the desired
position. It will now be appreciated that, in the preferred embodiment, the sleeve

member 110 does not include any printed information or other indicia that is particular to
the specific digital media disk 90 and, therefore, the sleeve member may be generically
used with different disks. For example, identical sleeve members 110 may be used with a
whole collection of different music CDs, which may result in significant manufacturing
and cost reductions. It is contemplated, however, that the sleeve member 110 might
include generic information, such as by printing, embossing, or otherwise, such as a
house trademark, manufacturer or distributor identification, commercial information, or
aesthetic markings. The placard 160 contains identifying indicia that may be specific to
the digital media disk 90 with which it is associated. The placard 160 is preferably a
simple rectangular, flat piece of paperboard that is easily printed on. Moreover, the first
and second identifying indicia 162, 164 may be printed on only the relatively small
portion of the back side of the placard 160 that is visible through the apertures 112, 114
of the sleeve member 110.
In particular, it will be appreciated from FIGURE 5 that the second identifying
indicia 164, visible through the spine aperture 114, permits a user to identify and select a
particular digital media disk (not shown) even when a plurality of sleeve assemblies 100
is stacked or otherwise having only the edge characterized by the hinge portion 118
visible.
A die-cut form 111 for the sleeve member 110 is shown in FIGURE 6. The
form 110 is a single, flat paperboard form, including the first end panel 116, middle
panel 126, and second end panel 136, first and second retaining members 121,131, and
pocket member 141. Front aperture 112, and spine aperture 114 are precut. It will be
appreciated that although the front aperture 112 and the spine aperture 114 are shown as
circular, other shapes are possible and contemplated by the present invention, including
square, oval, and the like. It is also contemplated that there may be more than two
apertures that permit additional or other portions of the placard 160 to be visible through
the sleeve member 110, including, for example, a large number of relatively small
apertures arranged in an aesthetically pleasing pattern.
Tab members 150, 152, 154, and 156 are positioned to be folded along
corresponding fold lines 151, 153, 155, and 157, respectively. It will be apparent from
FIGURE 6 that, to assemble the sleeve member, the tab members 150,152, 154, and 156
are folded inwardly and an adhesive is applied thereto. The retaining members 121, 131

and the pocket member 141 may then be folded downwardly to engage the appropriate
tab members to form the sleeve member 110.
A second embodiment of a sleeve assembly 200 according to the present
invention, is shown in FIGURE 7, including a sleeve member 210 and a placard 260. In
this embodiment, the multipanel (tripanel) sleeve member 210 includes a first end
panel 216 hingedly connected to a middle panel 226 along spine 219 and an oppositely
disposed second end panel 236 also hingedly connected to the middle panel 226. The
first end panel 216 and middle panel 226 may be substantially similar to the first end
panel 116 and middle panel 126, respectively, of the first embodiment described above.
For example, the first end panel 216 and the middle panel 226 include first and second
retaining members 221, 231 that slidably receive and retain the separable placard 260.
One or both of the first end panel 216 and middle panel 226 include one or more
apertures 212 (two shown in phantom) such that portions of the placard 260 are viewable
through the apertures 212. A spine aperture 214 (shown in phantom) may also be
provided such that portions of the placard 260 are visible therethrough.
The second end panel 236 of the present invention includes a rigid or semirigid
disk holder 241 that may be made from a polymeric material—for example, a
thermoplastic such as a polyethylene or polypropylene. The disk holder 241 defines a
circular or substantially annular recess 243 that is sized to accommodate the digital media
disk 90 (shown in phantom). A center, elastically flexible retaining member 244 that is
sized to engage a center aperture 92 of the digital media disk 90 extends from the circular
recess 243. The disk holder may include one or more peripheral indentations 245 (four
shown) to facilitate removal of the digital media disk 90 from the disk holder 241. Such
disk holders 241 are known in the art. The disk holder 241 is preferably permanently
affixed to the second end panel 236—for example, with an adhesive or a secure double-
sticky tape (not shown)—such that the disk holder 241 will not separate from the second
end panel 236, even over repeated usage.
As seen most clearly in FIGURES 8A and 8B, the front side of the placard 260
(shown in FIGURE 8A) preferably includes one or more first identifying indicia 262 (two
shown) printed or otherwise disposed on the placard 260 to be visible through the front
apertures 212 of the sleeve member 210, and second identifying indicia 264 printed or
otherwise disposed on the spine 269 of the placard 260 to be visible through the spine
aperture 214 of the sleeve member 210. The back side of the placard 260 (shown in


FIGURE 8B) may include additional identifying indicia 266—for example, specific
information suitable for the particular digital media disk, such as a play list, user
instructions, included features, copyright notice, or other product information—as
discussed above. The placard 260 spine portion 269 is positioned to overlie the spine
portion 219 of the sleeve member 210.
A die-cut paperboard form 211 for a preferred embodiment of the sleeve
member 210 is shown in FIGURE 9. The form 211 is a single, flat paperboard form,
including the first end panel 216, middle panel 226, and second end panel 236 and first
and second retaining members 221, 231. Front apertures 212 and spine aperture 214 are
precut.
Tab members 250 and 252 are positioned to be folded as shown. In a preferred
embodiment, the second end panel 236 includes reinforcing portion 237 that is folded to
overlie and is bonded to the second end panel 236 to provide additional strength for
supporting the disk holder 241. The disk holder 241 is shown with an arrow indicating
placement on the second end panel 236 after folding over the reinforcing portion 237.
The sleeve member 210 is formed by cutting the form 211, including the apertures 212,
214 as shown, and scoring along fold lines as desired, folding the tab portions 250, 252,
retaining members 221, 231, reinforcing portion 237, and bonding to form the sleeve
member 210. The disk holder 241 is then affixed to the second end panel 236.
A third embodiment of a sleeve assembly 300 according to the present invention
is shown in FIGURE 10A (partially exploded view) and FIGURE 10B (closed view). In
this embodiment, a sleeve member includes a hinged portion 370 and a separable box
portion 380. The hinged portion 370 is also shown in FIGURES 11A and 11B (with the
placard 260) and includes a first panel 316 that is hingedly connected to a second
panel 336, both preferably formed unitarily from a paperboard form. The second
panel 336 has the disk holder 241 fixedly attached thereto for releasably retaining a
digital media disk as discussed above. The disk holder 241 may be attached to the second
panel 336—for example, by affixing double sided tape.
In contrast to the previously described embodiments, first and second retaining
members 321, 331 are provided on a back side of the sleeve hinged portion 370, the first
and second retaining members 321, 331 adapted to slidably engage the placard 260,
which is described in detail above. As seen most clearly in FIGURJE 10A, the
placard 260 generally wraps around the sleeve hinged portion 370, overlapping an outer

surface of the folded hinged portion 370, and slides underneath the first and second
retaining members 321, 331.
As shown in the figures, the hinged portion 370 and box portion 380 are sized
such that the hinged portion 370, with the attached placard 260, is insertable into the
boxed portion 380, providing a relatively snug fit. The boxed portion 380 includes one or
more viewing apertures 312 that are positioned such that at least a portion of the first
identifying indicia 262 is visible through the viewing apertures 312 when the hinged
portion 370 is fully inserted into the box portion 380. Moreover, it will be appreciated
from FIGURE 10B that the second identifying indicia 264 is visible through the open end
of the box portion 380 when the hinged portion 370 is appropriately inserted into the box
portion 380. In thepreiferred embodiment, the sleeve box portion 380 is also made from a
die-cut paperboard form folded and bonded to form the box portion 380, although it is
contemplated that the box portion 380 may alternatively be made from other suitable
materials.
It is contemplated that me sleeve assembly of the present invention will be
particularly suitable in applications wherein a user-customizable selection of data is
provided on digital media disks to a user. For example, a user may desire to purchase a
customized play list of music tracks that are recorded onto a single compact disk. With
the present invention, a generic or quasi-generic sleeve member, such as 110, 210, or 370
and 380 as described above, may be provided. The sleeve member may not include any
information specific to the particular compact disk defined by the user, and therefore
single, generic (or a small collection of generic) sleeve members may be used for many
different users. Of course, the sleeve member may include indicia not related to the user's
customized selection, such as a house trademark, commercial information, artwork, and
the like.
A placard, for example, 160, 260 containing information specific to the compact
disk—for example, the play list, track play times, artist, album, etc.—may then be easily
printed, and provided for insertion onto the sleeve member. The placard may have other
indicia printed thereon, including picture, artwork, and the like, at least some of which
indicia may be user selectable.
The user may then insert the placard into the sleeve member and attach and/or
enclose the compact disk in the sleeve member. The present invention, therefore,

provides a convenient packaging system containing specific indicia regarding the disk,
without requiring any special printing or marking of the sleeve member.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and
described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

WE CLAIM :
1. A sleeve assembly for holding a digital media disk, the sleeve assembly comprising :
a multipanel sleeve having a first sleeve panel with a first retaining member, a second
sleeve panel with a second retaining member, the first sleeve panel hingedly connected to the
second sleeve panel along a sleeve spine, and wherein the multipanel sleeve is movable
between a closed position and an open position ;
means for releasably attaching a digital media disk to the multipanel sleeve ;
a multipanel placard having a first placard panel hingedly connected to a second placard
panel along a placard spine, and identifying indicia printed on a portion of the placard, wherein
the placard is sized to slidably engage the first and second retaining members such that the
placard is removably retained on the multipanel sleeve ; and
a separable box sized to slidably receive the multipanel sleeve in the closed position, the
box having at least one viewing aperture, the viewing aperture positioned such that at least a
portion of the identifying indicia printed on the placard is viewable through the viewing
aperture when the placard is retained on the multipanel sleeve and the multipanel sleeve is
slidably received in the box.
2. The sleeve assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for releasably attaching
the digital media disk to the multipanel sleeve comprises a semirigid polymeric disk holder
having an annular recess sized to receive the digital media disk.
3. The sleeve assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the box has at least a second
viewing aperture and the placard has at least a second identifying indicia, and wherein the
second identifying indicia is viewable through the second viewing aperture when the placard is
retained on the multipanel sleeve and the multipanel sleeve is slidably received in the box.

4. The sleeve assembly as claimed in claim 3. wherein the second viewing aperture
comprises an open end of the box, and the second identifying indicia is printed on the placard
spine.
5. The sleeve assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the multipanel sleeve comprises a
first portion made from paperboard and the polymeric disk holder.
6. The sleeve assembly as claimed in claim 2. wherein the sleeve member is free of any
identifying indicia.
7. The sleeve assembly as claimed in claim 2. wherein the placard is sized to substantially
cover a top surface of the first and second panels of the sleeve member.
8. The sleeve assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second retaining
members are formed integrally by folding over a portion of the multipanel sleeve.
9. An assembly for holding a digital media disk, said assembly comprising :
a foldable sleeve member having a first panel and a second panel, each of the first and
second panels having a front surface, a back surface, and a retaining member disposed on the
back surface ;
a disk holder attached to the front surface of the first panel; and
a placard having identifying indicia printed thereon, the placard being removably
retained by the retaining members such that the placard overlies the back surface of the first and
second panel;
a separable box portion having front and back panels, the box portion slidably receiving
the foldable sleeve member, the box portion having at least one viewing aperture through the
front panel that is disposed such that at least a portion of the identifying indicia is visible
through the viewing aperture.

10. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the box portion has an open end, and the
placard has a second identifying indicia that is viewable through the open end of the box
portion.
11. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the viewing aperture is rectangular.
12. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the disk holder is a semirigid polymeric
disk holder having an annular recess sized to receive the digital media disk.
13. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the identifying indicia printed on the
placard is a play list.
14. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sleeve member is free of any markings
particular to the received digital media disk.

A sleeve assembly (200) for a digital media disk (90) or similar flat product is
disclosed. The sleeve assembly includes a sleeve member (210) having a plurality of
hingedly connected panels (216, 226, 236), wherein one or more of the panels includes
apertures (212). Two of the panels include retaining members (221, 231). In some
embodiments, a semirigid disk holder is attached to a panel, for retaining the disk. A
removable placard (260), having identifying indicia that is at least partially visible
through the apertures, and is removably retained by the retaining members. In some
embodiments, and aperture (214) is included on the hinge spine, such that a portion of
the placard can be seen from the end of a folded sleeve assembly. The sleeve member
may be genetic, while the placard includes specific indicia related to the received disk.

Documents:

1032-kolnp-2006-granted-abstract.pdf

1032-kolnp-2006-granted-assignment.pdf

1032-kolnp-2006-granted-claims.pdf

1032-kolnp-2006-granted-correspondence.pdf

1032-kolnp-2006-granted-description (complete).pdf

1032-kolnp-2006-granted-drawings.pdf

1032-kolnp-2006-granted-examination report.pdf

1032-kolnp-2006-granted-form 1.pdf

1032-kolnp-2006-granted-form 18.pdf

1032-kolnp-2006-granted-form 3.pdf

1032-kolnp-2006-granted-form 5.pdf

1032-kolnp-2006-granted-gpa.pdf

1032-kolnp-2006-granted-reply to examination report.pdf


Patent Number 231421
Indian Patent Application Number 1032/KOLNP/2006
PG Journal Number 10/2009
Publication Date 06-Mar-2009
Grant Date 04-Mar-2009
Date of Filing 21-Apr-2006
Name of Patentee STARBUCKS CORPORATION
Applicant Address 2401 UTAM AVENUE SOUTH, SEATTLE WA
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 LAARMAN, LISA 317-35TH AVENUE, SEATTLE, WA 98122
PCT International Classification Number B65D 85/57
PCT International Application Number PCT/US2005/008290
PCT International Filing date 2005-03-10
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 10/800,811 2004-03-15 U.S.A.
2 10/965,275 2004-10-13 U.S.A.