Protective case for data storage disc

Abstract

The invention involves durable and protective data storage disc cases. A case includes two portions that join to form an inner support at the center of a disc and an outer support surrounding the disc at its outer diameter. The inner and outer supports prevent the case from contacting, and possibly scratching, the data surface of a disc within the case, even when the case is subjected to a compressive force. Furthermore, the case may secure a disc by holding the disc at its center using a spindle and by holding the outer edge, beyond the data surface, on a rim at the outer support. In this manner, a disc is centered on the spindle, and further constrained by the rim at its outer edge. This secures the disc when the halves of the case are closed and allows the disc to be freely removed once the case is opened.

1 . A case for holding a data storage disc comprising: 
 a box forming an interior cavity;    a first support element within the interior cavity extending from a top surface of the interior cavity to a bottom surface of the interior cavity, wherein the first support element substantially surrounds the data storage disc at an outer circumference of the data storage disc; and    a second support element extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, wherein the second support element fits within a center hole formed by the data storage disc.    
   
   
       2 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the second support element is a spindle that extends from the top surface of the interior cavity to the bottom surface of the interior cavity, wherein the spindle fits within the center hole.  
   
   
       3 . The case of  claim 1 , further comprising tabs to hold the data storage disc at the center hole.  
   
   
       4 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the box comprises two portions joined by a hinge element at a junction of the two portions.  
   
   
       5 . The case of  claim 1 , further comprising a first set of ribs on the top surface, wherein the first set of ribs extend radially from the first support element to the second support element.  
   
   
       6 . The case of  claim 5 , further comprising a second set of ribs on the bottom surface, wherein the second set of ribs extend radially from the first support element to the second support element.  
   
   
       7 . The case of  claim 1 , further comprising a barrier to protect the disc from static electricity.  
   
   
       8 . The case of  claim 7 , wherein the barrier is selected from one or more of a group consisting of: 
 a polymer loaded with a conductive substance;    a carbon-loaded polymer;    a metallic thin-film deposition over a surface of the box; and    a nickel thin-film deposition over the surface of the box.    
   
   
       9 . The case of  claim 1 , further comprising a barrier layer formed over a surface of the box to protect the disc from humidity.  
   
   
       10 . The case of  claim 9 , wherein the barrier comprises a metallic thin-film deposition substantially encompassing the interior cavity.  
   
   
       11 . The case of  claim 9 , wherein the barrier comprises a seal substantially surrounding the data storage disc at an outer circumference of the disc.  
   
   
       12 . The case of  claim 11 , wherein the seal comprises a semi-permanent seal.  
   
   
       13 . The case of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first rim to support the disc at an outer edge of the disc, wherein the outer edge is beyond a data surface of the disc; and    a second rim to support the disc around a center hole formed by the data storage disc, wherein the second is coplanar with the first rim.    
   
   
       14 . A case for holding a data storage disc comprising: 
 a casing forming an interior cavity sized to hold a data storage disc;    a support element within the interior cavity extending from a top surface of the interior cavity to a bottom surface of the interior cavity, wherein the support element fits within a center hole formed in the data storage disc; and    a rim to support the disc at an outer edge of the disc, wherein the outer edge is beyond a data surface of the disc.    
   
   
       15 . The case of  claim 14 , wherein the support element is a spindle.  
   
   
       16 . The case of  claim 14 , further comprising a barrier to protect the disc from humidity.  
   
   
       17 . The case of  claim 14 , further comprising a barrier to protect the disc from static electricity.  
   
   
       18 . The case of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 a first set of ribs on the top surface, wherein ribs of the first set of ribs extend from the support element to an outer wall of the casing; and    a second set of ribs on the bottom surface, wherein ribs of the second set of ribs extend from the support element to the outer wall.    
   
   
       19 . A case for holding a data storage disc comprising: 
 a box forming a circular shaped interior cavity within a sub-portion of the box;    a first support element within the interior cavity extending from a top surface of the interior cavity to a bottom surface of the interior cavity, wherein the first support element substantially surrounds the data storage disc at an outer circumference of the data storage disc;    a spindle that extends from the top surface of the interior cavity to the bottom surface of the interior cavity, wherein the spindle fits within a center hole formed by the data storage disc;    a first rim to support the disc at an outer edge of the disc, wherein the outer edge is beyond a data surface of the disc; and    a second rim to support the disc around the center hole, wherein the second rim is coplanar with the first rim.    
   
   
       20 . The case of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a first set of ribs on the top surface, wherein ribs of the first set of ribs extend from the support element to an outer wall of the casing; and    a second set of ribs on the bottom surface, wherein ribs of the second set of ribs extend from the support element to the outer wall.