Locking package for media disc and method for making same

Abstract

A locking package for holding a media disc is described. The package includes a tray having a cavity for receiving a media disc and a cover plate for holding a media disc in the cavity. The cover plate is attached to the tray by a locking fastener that passes through an aperture in the cover plate, a central spindle aperture in the media disc, and an aperture in the tray.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A package for holding a media disc, comprising: 
 a tray having a cavity for receiving a media disc;    a cover plate for holding a media disc in the cavity,    the cover plate being attached to the tray by a locking fastener that passes through an aperture in the cover plate, a central spindle aperture in the media disc, and an aperture in the tray.    
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the tray includes a hub that fits within a central spindle aperture of a media disc when the media disc is seated in the cavity, and wherein the tray aperture is located in the hub.  
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the cover plate has affixed thereto an electronic article surveillance tag.  
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the cover plate is shaped to fit over the media disc.  
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises a cylindrical shaft extending from a head having a flat collar surface for engaging an outer surface of the cover plate, the fastener further comprises at least one resiliently deformable ratchet member that allows the fastener to be inserted into the tray aperture, but prevents the fastener from being removed from the tray aperture.  
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 5 , wherein the ratchet member comprises a truncated cone encircling the shaft.  
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein the ratchet member includes a slot therethrough for enhancing the deformability of the ratchet member.  
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein the shaft has a first diameter, and the truncated cone has a second diameter, and wherein the tray aperture is circular and has a diameter that is equal to or larger than the first diameter and smaller than the second diameter.  
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein the cover plate aperture is circular and has a diameter that is equal to or larger than the first diameter and smaller than the second diameter.  
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the media disc and the cover disc fit within the tray cavity.  
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener head and the central spindle aperture are circular, and wherein the fastener head diameter is smaller than the media disc central spindle aperture diameter.  
     
     
         12 . A method for packaging a media disc comprising: 
 seating a media disc in a disc-holding tray;    positioning a cover plate over the media disc;    locking the cover plate to the disc-holding tray by inserting a locking fastener through an aperture in the cover plate, a spindle aperture in the media disc, and an aperture in the disc-holding tray.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further including: 
 affixing an electronic article surveillance tag to the cover plate.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further including: 
 partially disassembling the package to remove the media disc.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the locking fastener includes a head, and wherein the step of partially disassembling the package to remove the media disc includes: 
 cutting the head off of the locking fastener.