Paperboard CD or DVD tray with paper hub

Abstract

A CD or DVD tray made from paperboard is provided. The tray may be made from 100% recycled paperboard and can be 100% recyclable. The design of the tray or holder (used interchangeably throughout) uses the structural geometry of facets, central hole and radial slits to form a hub that achieves the function of securing the CD to the tray. Non-structural paper stock is formed into an effective fastening device whereby the fit of the hub is determined by the geometry of the folded paper. The paper tray of the present invention duplicates the functionality of plastic trays and is compatible with industry auto-loading, while providing the environmental benefits of paper.

1 . A disc holder comprising:
 a tray comprised of paperboard; and   a hub constructed of biodegradable material protruding from the surface of the tray, wherein the outer circumference of the hub is compressible.   
   
   
       2 . The disc holder of  claim 1  wherein the hub is a paper structure. 
   
   
       3 . The disc holder of  claim 2  wherein the hub is hollow. 
   
   
       4 . The disc holder of  claim 3  wherein the hub has walls that are compressible. 
   
   
       5 . The disc holder of  claim 4  wherein the hub is secured to the tray with adhesive. 
   
   
       6 . The disc holder of  claim 5  wherein the hub is comprised of a rosette containing a small central hole and a series of radial slits. 
   
   
       7 . The disc holder of  claim 6  wherein the rosette has a plurality of facets corresponding to the number of radial slits punched into the paper rosette and wherein the rosette is folded to form a side wall with ridges that occur between the facets. 
   
   
       8 . The disc holder of  claim 1  wherein the hub is constructed of biodegradable plastic. 
   
   
       9 . The disc holder of  claim 5  wherein the tray and hub are made from recycled material. 
   
   
       10 . A hub for a CD or DVD holder comprising: a three dimensional structure comprised of biodegradable material, wherein the outer circumference of the hub is compressible. 
   
   
       11 . The hub of  claim 10  wherein the biodegradable material is paper. 
   
   
       12 . The hub of  claim 10  wherein the three dimensional structure is hollow. 
   
   
       13 . The hub of  claim 12  wherein the walls of the three dimensional structure are compressible. 
   
   
       14 . The hub of  claim 10  wherein the three dimensional structure is comprised of a rosette containing a small central hole and a series of radial slits. 
   
   
       15 . The hub of  claim 14  wherein the rosette has a plurality of facets corresponding to the number of radial slits punched into the paper rosette and wherein the rosette is folded to form a side wall with ridges that occur between the facets. 
   
   
       16 . The hub of  claim 10  wherein the three dimensional structure is constructed of biodegradable plastic.