Media container with band header

Abstract

A container for carrying an information storage medium includes top and bottom walls connected by a hinge or spine with each wall having upper and lower faces and side walls and end walls extending inwardly therefrom. The container further includes a medium-engaging element for securing the storage medium thereto, and a display region provided on the upper face of the top wall, in a region proximate at least one of the first and second end walls. The top and bottom walls, together with their respective side walls and end walls form first and second covers, respectively. The covers are hinged together, and are provided with latching features to secure the container in a closed condition.

1 . A container for carrying an information storage medium, the container comprising: 
 a) a bottom wall having inner and outer surfaces;    b) a top wall having inner and outer surfaces;    c) a medium-engaging element provided on the inner surface of at least one of the top and bottom walls, for securing a storage medium thereto;    d) a hinge connecting the bottom wall and the top wall; and    e) a display region provided on the outer surface of the top wall, in an area proximate one end of the container, the display region being configured and adapted for display of indicia.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a) a first latching element defined on the bottom wall; and    b) a second latching element defined on the top wall, for engaging the first latching element, to thereby secure the container in a closed condition.    
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a film applied thereto forming a pocket extending from and across the outer surface of the top wall, around the hinge and across the outer surface of the bottom wall, the pocket providing a receptacle for printed material related to the media held in the container.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the film is offset from the display region, allowing an unobstructed view of the display region.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the display region is generally rectangular in shape.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the display region is defined in a region extending between about 1 and 5 centimeters from an end wall of the container.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the display region extends fully across the container, parallel to the end wall.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia is printed on the outer surface of the top wall.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia is molded into the outer surface of the top wall.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the indicia is provided on an extension supported by and extending from the bottom wall and is visible through an aperture defined in the display region of the top wall when the container is in a closed position.  
   
   
       11 . A container for carrying an information storage medium, the container comprising: 
 a) a spine;    b) a first cover hingedly secured to the spine;    c) a second cover hingedly attached to the spine, configured and adapted to engage the first cover, to secure closure of the container; and    d) at least one of the first and second covers being provided with a band header for display of indicia, arranged along one edge of the cover on which the band header is provided.    
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a) a first latching element defined on the first cover; and    b) a second latching element defined on the second cover, for engaging the first latching element, to thereby secure the container in a closed condition.    
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 11 , further comprising a pocket applied thereto, extending from and across an outer face of the first cover, around the spine and across an outer face of the second cover, the pocket providing a receptacle for printed material related to the media held in the container.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the pocket is offset from the band header, allowing an unobstructed view of the band header.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the band header is generally rectangular in shape.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the band header is defined in a region extending between about 1 and 5 centimeters from an edge of at least one of the first and second covers.  
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the indicia is printed on the band header.  
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the indicia is molded into the band header.  
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the indicia corresponds to a media format of the storage medium carried within the container.  
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein: 
 a) the band header is provided on the first cover; and    b) the indicia is provided on an extension supported by and extending from the second cover and is visible through an aperture defined in a band header of the first cover when the container is in a closed position.