Enclosure holding data carrier

Abstract

The enclosure comprises: a base portion; retaining means provided on the base portion for releasably holding a data carrier such as a CD within the enclosure; and a closure member, e.g. a plastic sheet, attached to the base portion so as to prevent removal of the CD from the enclosure, an irreversibly breakable join, e.g. a heat weld, being provided between the closure member and the base portion which, when broken, enables the closure member to be opened to allow the CD to be removed from the enclosure. The closure member may be removed entirely or may be hinged to the base portion so it is retained for use as a lid.

1 . An enclosure holding a data carrier, the enclosure comprising: a base portion; retaining means provided on the base portion for releasably holding the data carrier within the enclosure; and closure means arranged to prevent removal of the data carrier from the enclosure, at least part of the closure means being integrally formed or bonded directly with the base portion, or with a component permanently mounted thereto, so as to provide an irreversibly breakable join therebetween which, when broken, enables the closure means to be opened to allow the data carrier to be removed from the enclosure.  
     
     
         2 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 1  having an upstand which surrounds or partially surrounds the data carrier, the said join being provided between at least part of the upstand and the closure means.  
     
     
         3 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 1  in which the closure means can be peeled off the base portion.  
     
     
         4 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 1  provided with information informing the user that removal of the closure means indicates acceptance by the user of specified conditions of purchase, e.g. acceptance of a license agreement.  
     
     
         5 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 4  in which the said information is provided on the closure means.  
     
     
         6 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 1  in which the closure means comprises a tab by which a user can grip the closure means to pull it away from the base portion.  
     
     
         7 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 1  in which the closure means comprises a plastics film.  
     
     
         8 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 7  in which the plastics film is laminated with one or more films of plastics, metal and/or paper.  
     
     
         9 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 1 , the interior of which is sealed against the ingression of dust until the irreversibly breakable join is broken.  
     
     
         10 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 1  in which the retaining means is provided on a major face of the base portion and the enclosure means extends across said major face, around an edge of the base portion and across a major face on the other side of the base portion.  
     
     
         11 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 1  in which the retaining means is arranged to releasably hold the data carrier independently of the presence of the closure means.  
     
     
         12 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 2  in which the upstand is configured such that if the enclosure is positioned with the upstand against a substantially flat surface, the retaining means and the data carrier are supported clear of the surface.  
     
     
         13 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 1  in which a sufficient portion of the closure means can be separated from the base portion to allow removal of the data carrier whilst a further portion of the closure means remains attached to the base portion so the closure means can subsequently be reused to close the enclosure.  
     
     
         14 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 13  in which said further portion of the closure means is permanently secured to the base portion.  
     
     
         15 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 13  in which the closure means is provided with holding means for releasably holding the closure means in a closed position once said irreversibly breakable join has been broken.  
     
     
         16 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 13  in which the closure means comprises a sheet permanently secured to one edge of the base portion, secured to one or more other edges of the base portion by the irreversibly breakable join and provided with said holding means on an edge opposite to that permanently secured to the base portion.  
     
     
         17 . An enclosure for holding a data carrier, the enclosure comprising: a base portion; retaining means provided on the base portion for releasably holding the data carrier within the enclosure; and closure means comprising a plastics film or sheet connected to the base portion by a direct bond therebetween whereby movement of the closure means between a closed position and an open position by breaking at least part of the bond therebetween allows the data carrier to be removed from the enclosure.  
     
     
         18 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 17  in which the plastics film or sheet is secured to the base portion along or adjacent to an edge thereof so as to be hingeable thereabout.  
     
     
         19 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 18  in which the closure means is provided with holding means for releasably holding the closure means in a closed position.  
     
     
         20 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 17  in which the plastics film or sheet extends around an edge of the base position and across the reverse face of the base portion.  
     
     
         21 . An enclosure holding a disk-shaped data carrier with a central aperture, the enclosure comprising: a base portion; retaining means provided on the base portion for releasably engaging the central aperture and thus holding the data carrier within the enclosure; and closure means arranged to prevent removal of the data carrier from the enclosure, at least part of the closure means being integrally formed or bonded directly with the base portion, or with a component permanently mounted thereto, around a substantial portion of the periphery of the data carrier or of the enclosure so as to provide an irreversibly breakable join therebetween which, when broken, enables the closure means to be opened to allow the data carrier to be removed from the enclosure.  
     
     
         22 . An enclosure holding a disk-shaped data carrier having a central aperture and machine or computer-readable data recorded on only one side thereof, the enclosure comprising: an injection moulded plastics base portion which is substantially rigid and substantially planar; retaining means integrally formed on the base portion for releasably engaging the central aperture of the data carrier to hold securely the data carrier with the data recorded on said one side facing but spaced from the base portion; an upstand projecting from the base portion and which surrounds or partially surrounds the data carrier; and peel-off closure means arranged to prevent removal of the data carrier from the enclosure, an irreversibly breakable join being provided to secure the closure means to at least part of the upstand which, when broken, enables the closure means to be opened to allow the data carrier to be removed from the enclosure, the retaining means securely holding the data carrier so as to protect data carried on the said one side of the data carrier even when the closure means is opened or removed.  
     
     
         23 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 22  in which the upstand is at the periphery of the base portion.  
     
     
         24 . An enclosure as claimed in  claim 22  in which the or a further upstand is adjacent the periphery of the data carrier.