Folded paper cd carrier

Abstract

A protective carrier for compact disk (CD) or digital video disk (DVD) that is constructed of a folded single sheet of standard 8½×11-inch or A4-size paper or lightweight paperboard. The process of forming a CD carrier is accomplished in six folds. The first two folds are made inward along the longitudinal axis using fold lines ( 12 ) ( 18 ) to form two side edge portions ( 42 ) ( 46 ) and one central portion ( 47 ). Next, ear portions ( 48 ) ( 50 ) are folded inward at one end of the sheet along angular fold lines ( 22 ) ( 24 ). Next, a flap portion ( 52 ) is created by folding from the same end inward along the upper transverse fold line ( 14 ). Finally, a divisional fold is made inward along the lower transverse fold line ( 16 ). This results in an upper divisional portion ( 56 ) and a lower divisional portion ( 58 ). The top of the resulting lower divisional portion ( 58 ) aligns to approximately 1 millimeter lower than the upper transverse edge ( 54 ). A CD ( 60 ) is slid into the containment provided by the folded side edge portions and the lower transverse fold line comprising the bottom edge of the lower divisional portion. Finally, the flap is tucked between the CD and the outside surface of the lower divisional portion. The CD disk is securely held within the carrier without use of tape, adhesives, staples, clips, or any other auxiliary means.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A CD carrier of the type being formed from a unitary rectangular blank of foldable sheet material.  
     
     
         2 . The CD carrier of  claim 1   wherein said unitary rectangular blank is folded along fold lines disposed parallel to longitudinal edges of said rectangular blank to an inward position forming a first side edge portion, a central portion, and a second side edge portion,    wherein said unitary rectangular blank is folded at first corner comprising said first side edge portion and said central portion to an inward position along a fold line angularly disposed relative to said corner forming first ear portion,    wherein said unitary rectangular blank is folded at second corner comprising said second side edge portion and said central portion to an inward position along a fold line angularly disposed relative to said corner forming second ear portion,    wherein said unitary rectangular blank is folded along a fold line disposed parallel to the transverse edge of said unitary rectangular blank to an inward position to form a flap portion,    wherein said unitary rectangular blank is folded along a fold line disposed parallel to the transverse edge of said unitary rectangular blank to an inward position to form upper and lower divisional portions.    
     
     
         3 . The CD carrier of  claim 2   comprising a first means for CD containment by insertion of said CD between said first and second side edge portions comprised in said lower divisional portion, and incorporation of said flap portion between said CD and the outside surface of said lower divisional portion.    
     
     
         4 . The CD carrier of  claim 3   wherein said first means of CD containment is accomplished without use of adhesives, staples, clips, or other auxiliary means.    
     
     
         5 . The CD carrier of  claim 1   wherein said unitary rectangular blank is made of paper or paperboard.    
     
     
         6 . The CD carrier of  claim 1   wherein said unitary rectangular blank may be customized with applied graphics by using a standard computer printer to apply said graphics.    
     
     
         7 . A method to contain and protect a CD, comprising: 
 providing a unitary rectangular blank of foldable sheet material,    folding said unitary rectangular blank along fold lines disposed parallel to longitudinal edges of said rectangular blank to an inward position forming a first side edge portion, a central portion, and a second side edge portion, whereby said first side edge portion and said second side edge portion have approximately the same width,    folding said unitary rectangular blank at first corner comprising said first side edge portion and said central portion to an inward position along a fold line angularly disposed relative to said corner forming first ear portion,    folding said unitary rectangular blank at second corner comprising said second side edge portion and said central portion to an inward position along a fold line angularly disposed relative to said corner forming second ear portion,    folding said unitary rectangular blank along a fold line disposed parallel to the transverse edge of said unitary rectangular blank to an inward position to form a flap portion,    folding said unitary rectangular blank along a fold line disposed parallel to the transverse edge of said unitary rectangular blank to an inward position forming lower and upper divisional portions,    inserting said CD between said first side edge portion and said second side edge portion comprised in said lower divisional portion, and    incorporating said flap portion between said CD and the outside surface of said lower divisional portion so that said CD is contained.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7   wherein said CD is contained without use of adhesives, staples, clips, or other auxiliary means.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7   wherein said unitary rectangular blank is made of paper or paperboard.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7   wherein said unitary rectangular blank may be customized with applied graphics by using a typical computer printer to apply said graphics.