US20070205125A1 - Recording medium storage case - Google Patents

Abstract

A recording medium storage case includes: a case body including a first case and a second case that is constructed so as to be capable of fitting together with the first case and when fitted together with the first case forms an enclosure capable of storing two recording media; and a holding member that is capable of being fitted inside the enclosure and in which an opening in which one of the recording media can be fitted is formed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a recording medium storage case constructed so as to be capable of storing recording media.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• As one example of this type of recording medium storage case, a cassette storage case (hereinafter simply “storage case”) disclosed by Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. H09-165084 is known. This storage case includes an enclosure, a lid, and a fold-over cover, and is constructed so as to capable of storing two types of video tape cassette (as one example, a VHS video tape cassette and an MII-type video tape cassette). When a VHS video tape cassette is stored in this storage case, pressing portions formed on a frame of the enclosure contact side surfaces of the VHS video tape cassette and a holding portion formed on the frame contacts the rear surface of the VHS video tape cassette. On the other hand, when an MII-type video tape cassette is stored in this storage case, the pressing portions contact side surfaces of the MII-type video tape cassette and inner surfaces of the frame contact both the front surface and the rear surface of the MII-type video tape cassette. Accordingly, regardless of which of the two types of video tape cassette is stored in the case, the video tape cassette is prevented from rattling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• By investigating the storage case described above, the present inventors found the following problem. Although the storage case can store two types of video tape cassette, the case is only capable of storing one video tape cassette at a time. On the other hand, DV (digital video tape) cassettes used in compact digital video cameras that have become widespread in recent years are small and extremely portable compared to VHS video tape cassettes. It is therefore common for users to carry a plurality of cassettes when recording video images. In keeping with such usage, a storage case should preferably be able to store a plurality of cassettes. Also, when a large number of DV cassettes are stored in storage cases on a shelf or the like, if the DV cassettes are all stored in separate storage cases, it can be troublesome to have to open and close a separate storage case for each DV cassette. For this reason also, a storage case should preferably be able to store a plurality of DV cassettes. However, since the conventional storage case described above is only capable of storing a single video tape cassette, it has poor usability for the uses described above, to which improvement is hoped to be made. Although it would be conceivable to double the volume of the enclosure of the storage case described above to make it possible to store two video tape cassettes, when only one video tape cassette is stored, there would be the problem of the video tape cassette rattling, resulting in the storage case failing to achieve the fundamental object of a storage case, i.e., to protect a video tape cassette. In this way, it is not enough to simply increase the volume of the enclosure.
• The present invention was conceived in view of the problem described above and it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a recording medium storage case that has improved usability when carrying and storing recording media without sacrificing the storage case's ability to properly protect the recording media.
• To achieve the stated object, a recording medium storage case according to the present invention includes: a case body including a first case and a second case that is constructed so as to be capable of fitting together with the first case and when fitted together with the first case forms an enclosure capable of storing two recording media; and a holding member that is capable of being fitted inside the enclosure and in which an opening in which one of the recording media can be fitted is formed.
• According to this recording medium storage case, by including a case body that forms an enclosure capable of storing two recording media when the first case and the second case are fitted together and a holding member that is capable of being fitted inside the enclosure and in which an opening in which one of the recording media can be fitted is formed, when storing one recording medium, the recording medium can be reliably held without rattling by the holding member. Conversely, when storing two recording media, the recording media can be reliably held without rattling by the case body. That is, with this recording medium storage case, regardless of whether one recording medium is being stored or whether two recording media are being stored, the recording media can be reliably held without rattling. Accordingly, regardless of whether one recording medium is being stored and/or carried or whether two recording media are being stored and/or carried, the same recording medium storage case can be used without affecting the fundamental object of the recording medium storage case, that is, to properly protect the recording media, thereby sufficiently improving usability for users.
• It is possible to use a construction where cutaway portions are formed in edges of the opening in the holding member. With this construction, when a recording medium is taken out of the opening in the holding member, the recording medium can be held between the user's fingers that have been inserted into the cutaway portions. This means that the recording medium can be easily taken out of the holding member.
• It is also possible to construct the second case so as to include: a main plate; outer walls disposed at edges of the main plate; and at least one partition wall that is disposed on the main plate and together with the outer walls defines two mounting regions in which the recording media can be mounted. With this construction, it is possible to have two recording media reliably held by the outer walls and the partition wall(s) by merely mounting the recording media in the defined mounting regions, thereby improving the operability when storing two recording media.
• It is also possible to use a construction where the main plate is rectangularly formed, the outer walls are formed at least one pair of opposite edges of the main plate, and cutaway portions are formed in the outer walls at respective central portions in a length direction of the outer walls. With this construction, it is easy for the user to take hold of a recording medium mounted on the main plate of the second case between his/her fingers. It is also possible to avoid contact between the user's fingers and the outer walls when a recording medium held between the user's fingers is mounted on the main plate. This means it is easy to take a recording medium off the second case and to mount a recording medium on the second case.
• It is also possible to use a construction where the case body includes a back plate that is connected to the first case and the second case at opposite edges thereof to join the first case and the second case, and where the first case, the second case, and the back plate are integrally formed. With this construction, it is possible to manufacture the recording medium storage case by a single injection molding operation, for example, and to thereby sufficiently reduce the manufacturing cost. Here, if the thickness of the main plate of the first case, the thickness of the main plate of the second case, and the thickness of the back plate are all set equal, when the first case, the second case, and the back plate are integrally formed by injection molding, by providing a molding gate (a resin introducing hole) in the center of the back plate, for example, it becomes possible for resin to flow uniformly inside the cavities of the mold that correspond to the main plates and the back plate. This means that with this construction, it is possible to reliably prevent warping and the production of flashes, shorts, and weld marks in the main plates and the back plate.
• It should be noted that the disclosure of the present invention relates to the contents of Japanese Patent Application 2006-54381 that was filed on 1 Mar. 2006 and Japanese Patent Application 2006-55022 that was also filed on 1 Mar. 2006, the entire contents of both of which are herein incorporated by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• These and other objects and features of the present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage case and two recording media;
• FIG. 2 is a plan view of the storage case when looking from the outer surface side of the storage case when the storage case is open;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a case body and a holding member when the storage case is open;
• FIG. 4 is a plan view of the storage case when looking from the inner surface side of the storage case when the storage case is open;
• FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an engaging portion of a lid and an engaging portion of a bottom when the storage case is open;
• FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an engaging portion of the lid and an engaging portion of the bottom when the lid and the bottom have been fitted together;
• FIG. 7 is a front view of the engaging portions of the bottom;
• FIG. 8 is a side view of the case body in the periphery of contact portions;
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the storage case in a state where the holding member has been mounted on the case body;
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the storage case in a state where a recording medium has been fitted into an opening in the holding member; and
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the storage case in a state where two recording media have been mounted on the main plate of the bottom.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Preferred embodiments of a recording medium storage case according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings.
• The recording medium storage case1 (hereinafter simply “storage case1”) shown inFIGS. 1 to 3 is one example of a recording medium storage case according to the present invention, includes acase body2 and aholding member3, and is constructed so as to be capable of storing one or two of therecording media100 shown inFIG. 1 (as one example, mini digital video tapes) in anenclosure2aof thecase body2. Thecase body2 includes alid11 and abottom12 that can fit together, aback plate13, and a sheet14 (seeFIG. 2), and as shown inFIG. 1 is constructed so as to have the overall shape of a rectangular solid when thelid11 and thebottom12 have been fitted together. As one example, thelid11, thebottom12, and theback plate13 can be integrally formed by injection molding a resin material.
• Thelid11 corresponds to a “first case” for the present invention and as shown inFIG. 3, includes amain plate21 andside plates22a,22b, and22c(hereinafter referred to as the “side plates22” when no distinction is required) that are erected along edges of themain plate21, and is constructed so as to be capable of fitting together with thebottom12. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, themain plate21 is formed of a rectangular plate (more specifically, an oblong plate). Themain plate21 is formed so that anedge21awhere themain plate21 is joined to theback plate13 and acentral portion21bof themain plate21 are formed thinner thanouter portions21cto21f(seeFIG. 2) by being depressed on the outer surface side of the main plate21 (i.e., the opposite side of themain plate21 to theenclosure2a). Thecentral portion21bis formed so as to be translucent (or transparent) so that therecording media100 stored inside thecase body2 are visible.
• Also, as shown inFIG. 3, a plurality ofribs23 are formed on the respective inner surfaces of theside plates22aand22bof thelid11. When thelid11 and the bottom12 have been fitted together, front ends of theribs23 contact the outer surfaces ofouter walls32aand32b(described later) of the bottom12 and function so as to prevent thelid11 and the bottom12 from rattling. When thelid11 and the bottom12 have been fitted together, the front end surfaces of theribs23 approach (or contact) the front end surfaces of theouter walls32aand32bso that if an external force is applied to thelid11, the front end surfaces of theribs23 will contact the front end surfaces of theouter walls32aand32band thereby prevent deformation of theside plates22aand22b.
• As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, engagingportions24aand24b(hereinafter collectively referred to as the “engagingportions24” when no distinction is required) are formed at both ends of an opposite edge of thelid11 to the edge where thelid11 is joined to the back plate13 (i.e., the opposite edge of thelid11 to the back plate13). When thelid11 and the bottom12 have been fitted together, the engagingportions24aand24brespectively engage engagingportions34aand34b(seeFIGS. 3 and 4: collectively referred to as the “engagingportions34” when no distinction is required) of the bottom12, described later, and function so as to prevent thelid11 and the bottom12 from coming apart. In more detail, the engagingportions24aand24binclude protrudingportions51 andwall portions52.
• As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the protrudingportions51 are formed at both ends of the inner surface of theside plate22cand have elongated forms that extend parallel to the length of theside plate22c. As shown inFIG. 5, the protrudingportions51 are formed at intermediate positions in the height direction of theside plate22c. In addition, each protrudingportion51 is formed with a substantially triangular cross-sectional form so that the top protrudes outward by the greatest amount and the amount of protrusion gradually falls toward the bottom of the protrudingportion51. The corner where the protrudingportion51 protrudes outward the furthest (i.e., the front end of the protruding portion51) is rounded. As shown inFIG. 6, each protrudingportion51 engages aconcave portion62 of a corresponding engagingportion34 of the bottom12 when thelid11 and the bottom12 are fitted together. Also, as shown inFIG. 5, inclined surfaces53 that are inclined from the inner surface of theside plate22ctoward the outer surface are formed on the inner surface of theside plate22cat positions closer to the front end of theside plate22cthan the protrudingportions51.
• As shown inFIGS. 3 to 5, eachwall portion52 is erected on themain plate21 so as to face a position on theside plate22cwhere a corresponding protrudingportion51 is formed. Thewall portions52 are formed so as to be thinner than the base end portion of theside plate22c. Thewall portions52 are formed with a height that is equal to or substantially equal to the distance from themain plate21 to the front ends (i.e., the furthest protruding parts) of the protrudingportions51. As shown inFIG. 6,gaps54 are formed between thewall portions52 and theside plate22cso that front ends61aofinsertion portions61 of the engagingportions34 that are inserted into thesegaps54 can be held between thewall portions52 and theside plate22c.
• The bottom12 corresponds to a “second case” for the present invention and as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom12 includes amain plate31 andouter walls32ato32dandpartition walls33aand33bthat are disposed on themain plate31. The bottom12 is constructed so as to fit together with thelid11 with theouter walls32ato32dpositioned inside theside plates22a,22b, and22c(in more detail, inside a rectangular (oblong) region defined by theside plates22a,22b, and22c). As shown inFIG. 1, when the bottom12 has been fitted together with thelid11, theenclosure2athat can store tworecording media100 is formed. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, themain plate31 is formed of a rectangular (more specifically, oblong) plate. Themain plate31 is formed so that a central portion31athereof is thinner thanedges31band31c(the left and right edges inFIG. 2) by being depressed on the outer surface side (i.e., the opposite side of themain plate31 to theenclosure2a). In this example, the thickness of the central portion31ais set equal to the thickness of thecentral portion21bof themain plate21 of thelid11.
• As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, theouter walls32ato32d(hereinafter referred to simply as the “outer walls32” when no distinction is required) are erected along the edges of themain plate31. A plurality ofribs42 are respectively formed on inner surfaces of theouter walls32ato32c. As shown inFIG. 11, the formation positions of theribs42 are set so as to avoid positions that are opposite concave/convex portions101 formed in the side surfaces of therecording media100 when therecording media100 are mounted on the main plate31 (i.e., when therecording media100 are stored in theenclosure2a). As shown inFIG. 11, theribs42 and the outer walls32 contact three out of the four side surfaces of therecording media100 mounted on themain plate31 and function so as to prevent therecording media100 from rattling. Also, as shown inFIG. 11, the outer walls32 are formed so that the heights at both ends of each outer wall32 are slightly lower than the height of the recording media100 (that is, the thickness of the recording media100) when therecording media100 have been mounted on themain plate31. Also, as shown inFIG. 3, acutaway portion41 is formed in a central portion in the length direction of each outer wall32. That is, each outer wall32 is formed so that the height at the central portion in the length direction is lower than the height at both ends.
• In addition, as shown inFIG. 6, theouter wall32cis erected at a position set so that a gap is produced between theouter wall32cand theside plate22cof thelid11 when thelid11 and the bottom12 are fitted together. As shown inFIG. 7,rectangular cutaway portions43 are formed at both ends of theouter wall32c. Also, as shown inFIGS. 3,4, and8,elongated contact portions44 that extend in the height direction of theouter wall32dare formed on the outer surface of theouter wall32d, which is adjacent to theback plate13, at both ends of theouter wall32d. As shown inFIG. 8, thecontact portions44 contact theback plate13 when theback plate13 is folded upward and therefore function so as to keep the angle by which theback plate13 is bent with respect to themain plate31 at 90° or substantially 90°.
• In addition, as shown inFIGS. 3,4, and7, the engagingportions34aand34bare formed at both ends of theouter wall32c. The engagingportions34aand34bare constructed so as to be capable of engaging the engagingportions24aand24bof thelid11. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 5, the engagingportions34 are constructed so as to include theinsertion portions61 andconcave portions62 that are formed in theinsertion portions61. As shown inFIG. 5 andFIG. 7, theinsertion portions61 are formed (disposed) at the positions where thecutaway portions43 are formed in theouter wall32c. As shown inFIG. 6, when thelid11 and the bottom12 are fitted together, the front ends61aof theinsertion portions61 are inserted into thegaps54 between thewall portions52 and the formation positions of the protrudingportions51 on theside plate22c. As shown inFIG. 7, theconcave portions62 are formed as channels that extend in the length direction of theouter wall32c. As shown inFIG. 5, eachconcave portion62 is formed with a substantially triangular cross-sectional form so that the bottom thereof is depressed by the greatest amount and so that the depressed amount gradually decreases toward the top. The corner where theconcave portion62 is depressed by the greatest amount is rounded. Here, as shown inFIG. 6, theconcave portions62 fit together with the protrudingportions51 when thelid11 and the bottom12 have been fitted together.
• As shown inFIG. 3, thepartition walls33aand33b(hereinafter referred to as the “partition walls33” when no distinction is required) are erected (disposed) on themain plate31 so as to protrude inward (i.e., toward the center of the main plate31) from central portions in the length direction of theouter walls32cand32d. As shown inFIG. 11, thepartition walls33 respectively contact the remaining side surface out of the four side surfaces of eachrecording medium100 mounted on themain plate31 and function so as to prevent therecording media100 from rattling. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 11, together with the outer walls32, thepartition walls33 function so as to define two mounting regions A1, A2, on each of which asingle recording medium100 can be mounted, on themain plate31.
• As shown inFIGS. 2 to 4, theback plate13 is formed as a rectangular (more specifically, oblong) plate. As shown inFIG. 2, one out of a pair ofopposite edges13aand13b(in this example, the edge13a) is joined to themain plate21 of thelid11 and the other out of theedges13aand13b(in this example, theedge13b) is joined to themain plate31 of the bottom12. In this way, thelid11 and the bottom12 are joined via theback plate13. Here,grooves15 that are V-shaped in cross section are formed in theenclosure2a-side surface (i.e., the near side with respect to the plane ofFIG. 4) of the join between theback plate13 and themain plate21 of thelid11 and in theenclosure2a-side surface (i.e., the near side with respect to the plane ofFIG. 4) of the join between theback plate13 and themain plate31 of the bottom12 to make it easy to bend theback plate13 and thelid11 and easy to bend theback plate13 and the bottom12. Acentral portion13cof theback plate13 is formed thinner thanedges13dand13e(seeFIG. 2) by being depressed on the outer surface side thereof (i.e., the opposite side of themain plate21 to theenclosure2a).
• The thickness of thecentral portion13cis set equal to the thickness of thecentral portion21bof themain plate21 of thelid11. That is, the thickness of thecentral portion21bof themain plate21 of thelid11, the thickness of the central portion31aof themain plate31 of the bottom12, and the thickness of thecentral portion13cof theback plate13 are set equal. This means that when thelid11, the bottom12, and theback plate13 are integrally formed by injection molding a resin material, by providing a molding gate13f(a resin introducing hole: seeFIG. 2) for example in the center of theback plate13, it is possible for resin to flow uniformly inside the cavities of the mold that correspond to themain plates21 and31 and theback plate13. This means it is possible to reliably prevent warping and the production of flashes, shorts, and weld marks in themain plates21 and31 and theback plate13.
• Thesheet14 is formed in a rectangular (more specifically, oblong) shape using transparent resin and as shown inFIG. 2 is disposed so as to cover the outer surface-side (i.e., the opposite side to theenclosure2a) of the central portion31aof themain plate31 of the bottom12 and the outer surface-side of thecentral portion13cof theback plate13. That is, thesheet14 is disposed over the depressed parts in themain plate31 of the bottom12 and theback plate13. As shown inFIG. 2, thesheet14 is fixed by welding anedge14aof thesheet14 to an opposite edge of the bottom12 to the join between themain plate31 of the bottom12 and the back plate13 (i.e., the bottom edge of the bottom12 inFIG. 2) and welding anopposite edge14bto theedge14ato theedge21aof themain plate21 of thelid11. Neither of the other edges of the sheet14 (i.e., theedges14cand14d) is fixed to thelid11, the bottom12, and theback plate13. With this construction, gaps are produced between thesheet14 and themain plate31 and backplate13, which makes it possible to insert a label or the like between thesheet14 and themain plate31 and backplate13 from either theedge14cside or theedge14dside.
• As described above, with thestorage case1, thesheet14 is disposed in the depressed part of themain plate31 of the bottom12 and in the depressed part of theback plate13. This means that it is possible to avoid a situation where thesheet14 rises outward (i.e., protrudes outward) beyond theedges31band31cof themain plate31 of the bottom12 or beyond theedges13dand13eof theback plate13.
• The holdingmember3 is formed of a resin foam, for example, and is constructed so as to fit into theenclosure2aof thecase body2. More specifically as shown inFIG. 3, the holdingmember3 is constructed in a plate-like shape with the same planar form as the rectangular (more specifically, oblong) region defined by the outer walls32 on themain plate31 of the bottom12. Also, as shown inFIG. 9, the thickness of the holdingmember3 is set so as to be slightly lower than the height of both end portions of the outer walls32 when the holdingmember3 has been mounted on themain plate31 of the bottom12. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 9, slits3bare formed in the center in the length direction of the two longer edges out of the four edges of the holdingmember3. When the holdingmember3 is mounted on themain plate31 of the bottom12, as shown inFIG. 9, thepartition walls33aand33bof the bottom12 fit into theslits3bto restrict movement of the holdingmember3 relative to the bottom12.
• As shown inFIG. 3, an opening3athat has the same planar form as onerecording medium100 and in which onerecording medium100 can be fitted is formed in the center of the holdingmember3 so that arecording medium100 can be fitted into and held inside the opening3a.Cutaway portions3care formed in the two shorter edges out of the four edges of the holdingmember3 that form the opening3a. The user can insert his/her fingers into thesecutaway portions3cto take hold of arecording medium100 that has been inserted into the opening3awhen removing therecording medium100 from the holdingmember3.
• Usage of thestorage case1 will be described next with reference to the drawings. This description starts as shown inFIG. 1 with the holdingmember3 enclosed in theenclosure2aof thecase body2 and the bottom12 and thelid11 having been fitted together to close thecase body2.
• With thestorage case1, when thecase body2 is closed, the engagingportions24 of thelid11 and the engagingportions34 of the bottom12 engage one another and prevent thelid11 and the bottom12 from coming apart. More specifically, as shown inFIG. 6, the front ends61aof theinsertion portions61 of the engagingportions34 are inserted into thegaps54 formed by theside plate22cof thelid11 and thewall portions52 of the engagingportions24 and theconcave portions62 formed in theinsertion portions61 fit together with the protrudingportions51 of the engagingportions24.
• When storing onerecording medium100 for example in the storage case1 (the case body2), the user places his/her fingers on the opposite edge of thelid11 to the edge where thelid11 and theback plate13 are joined (i.e., on the left edge of thelid11 inFIG. 1) and on the opposite edge of themain plate31 of the bottom12 to the edge where the bottom12 and theback plate13 are joined (i.e., on the left edge of the bottom12 inFIG. 1) and applies force to pull thelid11 and the bottom12 apart. When doing so, the protrudingportions51 are released from engagement with theconcave portions62 so that the front ends61aof theinsertion portions61 are pulled out of thegaps54. By doing so, the engagingportions24 and the engagingportions34 are disengaged, thereby separating thelid11 and the bottom12.
• With thestorage case1, since the engagingportions24 are provided with thewall portions52, even if the user's fingers contact theside plate22cwhen pulling thelid11 and the bottom12 apart, thereby creating a force which pushes theside plate22cinward (i.e., toward theenclosure2a), theside plate22cis prevented from becoming inwardly inclined, i.e., theside plate22cis prevented from collapsing inward by thewall portions52. Since it is possible to avoid a situation where theside plate22ccollapses inward, which would result in theconcave portions62 and the protrudingportions51 fitting together more tightly and therefore becoming difficult to separate, it will be possible to disengage the engagingportions24 and the engagingportions34 using an appropriate amount of force. This means that thelid11 and the bottom12 can be smoothly separated.
• Next, as shown inFIG. 9, thecase body2 is opened. After this, as shown inFIG. 10, arecording medium100 is fitted into the opening3aof the holdingmember3 mounted on themain plate31 of the bottom12. Since the holdingmember3 is formed of resin foam that is highly elastic, therecording medium100 is securely held by the holdingmember3. Next, as shown inFIG. 8, theback plate13 is folded over toward the bottom12. When doing so, theback plate13 is pressed against thecontact portions44 formed on the outer surface of theouter wall32cof the bottom12 so that the angle by which theback plate13 is bent with respect to themain plate31 of the bottom12 is kept at substantially 90°. After this, thelid11 is folded over toward the bottom12.
• When doing so, thelid11 and the bottom12 are fitted together and the engagingportions24 of thelid11 and the engagingportions34 of the bottom12 come into engagement with theouter walls32ato32dof the bottom12 positioned inside theside plates22ato22cof thelid11, that is, with thelid11 covering the bottom12. More specifically, the front ends61aof theinsertion portions61 of the engagingportions34 are inserted into thegaps54 formed by theside plate22cof thelid11 and thewall portions52 of the <engagingportions24. When doing so, as described above, by folding over theback plate13 while theback plate13 presses against thecontact portions44 of the bottom12, the angle by which theback plate13 is bent with respect to themain plate31 is kept at substantially 90°, and therefore when thelid11 is folded over toward the bottom12, the front ends61aof theinsertion portions61 are reliably inserted into thegaps54 without striking the front ends of thewall portions52. Also, since theinclined surfaces53 are formed on the inner surface of theside plate22cat positions closer to the front end of theside plate22cthan the protrudingportions51, when thelid11 is folded over onto the bottom12, even if the front ends61aof theinsertion portions61 strike the inner surface of theside plate22c, the front ends61aof theinsertion portions61 will be guided by theinclined surfaces53 and smoothly inserted into thegaps54. Since theinsertion portions61 are formed so that the front ends61aare no higher than theouter wall32c, even if the front end of theside plate22cof thelid11 strikes the front end of theouter wall32cof the bottom12 when thelid11 and the bottom12 are fitted together, for example, deformation of and damage to theinsertion portions61 are definitely avoided.
• Next, thelid11 is pressed onto the bottom12. When doing so, theconcave portions62 formed in theinsertion portions61 and the protrudingportions51 of the engagingportions24 fit together. Since the front ends of the protrudingportions51 are rounded, the protrudingportions51 are smoothly inserted into theconcave portions62 and therefore the protrudingportions51 and theconcave portions62 can be smoothly fitted together. Also, as described above, thewall portions52 are formed thinner than the base end portion of theside plate22cand with a height set equal to the distance from themain plate21 to the front ends of the protrudingportions51. If thewall portions52 were too thick or too low, thewall portions52 would be too rigid, which would obstruct movement of theinsertion portions61 toward the inside (i.e., toward theenclosure2a) when theconcave portions62 and the protrudingportions51 are fitted together. This would make it difficult to fit theconcave portions62 and the protrudingportions51 together. Conversely, if thewall portions52 were too thick or too high, thewall portions52 would be insufficiently rigid, which would make it difficult to prevent theside plate22cfrom collapsing inward when a force that presses theside plate22cinward (i.e., toward theenclosure2a) is applied. Therefore, by setting the thickness and height as described above, it is possible to form thewall portions52 with appropriate rigidity. Accordingly, movement of theinsertion portions61 toward the inside when theconcave portions62 and the protrudingportions51 are fitted together is permitted and movement of theinsertion portions61 toward the inside when a force that presses theside plate22ctoward the inside is applied is reliably restricted.
• By doing so, the bottom12 and thelid11 are fitted together and the engagingportions24 and the engagingportions34 are brought into engagement, thereby preventing thelid11 and the bottom12 from coming apart. In this state, the front ends of theribs23 formed in theside plates22aand22bof thelid11 contact the outer surfaces of theouter walls32aand32bof the bottom12, thereby reliably preventing thelid11 and the bottom12 from rattling. Since the front end surfaces of theribs23 approach (or contact) the front end surfaces of theside walls32aand32b, even if an external force is applied to thelid11, for example, the front end surfaces of theribs23 will contact the front end surfaces of theouter walls32aand32b, thereby preventing deformation of theside plates22aand22b. By carrying out the operation described above, storage of onerecording medium100 in thestorage case1 is completed.
• Next, when afurther recording medium100 is stored in astorage case1 that already stores one recording medium100 (i.e., when tworecording media100 are stored), first thecase body2 is opened using the method described earlier. Next, therecording medium100 that is already stored is taken out of the opening3ain the holdingmember3. With thestorage case1, thecutaway portions3care formed in the edges of the opening3a. Since therecording medium100 can be held between the user's fingers that have been inserted into thesecutaway portions3c, therecording medium100 can be easily taken out of the holdingmember3. Next, as shown inFIG. 3, the holdingmember3 is also taken out of the bottom12.
• After this, as shown inFIG. 11, therecording medium100 described above that has been removed from the holdingmember3, for example, is mounted on the mounting region A1 on themain plate31 that is defined by theouter walls32a,32c, and32dof the bottom12 and thepartition walls33aand33b. Since thecutaway portions41 are formed in the central portions in the length direction of the outer walls32, it is possible for the user to easily hold therecording medium100 between his/her fingers, and therefore it is possible to easily mount arecording medium100 on the bottom12 or to take arecording medium100 off the bottom12.
• Next, anotherrecording medium100 is mounted on the mounting region A2 on themain plate31 that is defined by theouter walls32b,32c, and32dof the bottom12 and thepartition walls33aand33b. Since theribs42 formed in theside walls32ato32c, theouter wall32c, and thepartition walls33 contact the respective side surfaces of therecording media100, therecording media100 mounted on themain plate31 are reliably prevented from rattling. Next, the bottom12 and thelid11 are fitted together as described above. By doing so, storage of tworecording media100 in thestorage case1 is completed.
• Next, when the tworecording media100 are removed from astorage case1 that stores tworecording media100 and onerecording medium100 is stored in thestorage case1, thecase body2 is opened as described above. After the tworecording media100 have been removed, as shown inFIG. 9, the holdingmember3 is mounted on themain plate31 of the bottom12. When doing so, the holdingmember3 is mounted so that thepartition walls33aand33bof the bottom12 are fitted into theslits3bof the holdingmember3. By doing so, movement of the holdingmember3 relative to the bottom12 is restricted. Next, after a desiredrecording medium100 out of the tworecording media100 that have been removed has been fitted into the opening3aof the holdingmember3, the bottom12 and thelid11 are fitted together. By doing so, the storage of onerecording medium100 in thestorage case1 is completed.
• With thestorage case1, it is possible to insert a label or the like into the gap between thesheet14 and themain plate31 of the bottom12 and theback plate13. With thestorage case1, since a large label or the like with a shape corresponding to the total of the area of the central portion31athat makes up the majority of themain plate31 and the area of thecentral portion13cthat makes up the majority of theback plate13 can be inserted, it is possible to present a lot of information relating to therecording media100 stored in thestorage case1 on the label or the like. Also, with thestorage case1, as described above, a situation is avoided where thesheet14 rises further outward than theedges31band31cof themain plate31 of the bottom12 and/or theedges13dand13eof theback plate13. This means that even if a plurality ofstorage cases1 are stored in a row on a shelf or the like, whenindividual storage cases1 are taken from or inserted back onto the shelf, it is possible to avoid a situation where thesheet14 catches on anadjacent storage case1 and/or thesheet14 becomes pulled off thestorage case1.
• In this way, since thestorage case1 includes thecase body2, which forms theenclosure2ain which tworecording media100 can be stored when thelid11 and the bottom12 have been fitted together, and the holdingmember3 that is constructed so as to fit into theenclosure2aand in which the opening3athat can store onerecording medium100 is formed, when onerecording medium100 is stored, therecording medium100 can be reliably held by the holdingmember3 without rattling. Also, when tworecording media100 are stored, therecording media100 can be reliably held without rattling by the outer walls32, thepartition walls33, and the like that construct thecase body2. That is, with thestorage case1, regardless of whether onerecording medium100 is being stored or whether tworecording media100 are being stored, therecording media100 can be reliably stored without rattling. Accordingly, regardless of whether onerecording medium100 is being stored and/or carried or whether tworecording media100 are being stored and/or carried, thestorage case1 can be used without affecting the fundamental object of thestorage case1, that is, to protect therecording media100, thereby improving usability for users.
• Also, according to thestorage case1, by forming thecutaway portions3cin the edges of the opening3aof the holdingmember3, when a storedrecording medium100 is taken out of the opening3a, the user can insert his/her fingers into thecutaway portions3cand hold therecording medium100 between his/her fingers. This means it is possible to easily take therecording medium100 out of the holdingmember3.
• Also since thestorage case1 includes the outer walls32 disposed at the edges of themain plate31 and thepartition walls33 that are disposed on themain plate31 and together with the outer walls32 form the two mounting regions A1 and A2, in which therecording media100 can be mounted, on themain plate31, by simply mounting therecording media100 in the defined mounting regions A1 and A2, it is possible to have tworecording media100 reliably held by the outer walls32 and thepartition walls33. Accordingly, it is possible to sufficiently improve operability when tworecording media100 are stored.
• Also, with thestorage case1, since thecutaway portions41 are formed in the central portions of the outer walls32 in the length direction, it is easy for the user to take hold of arecording medium100 mounted on themain plate31 of the bottom12 between his/her fingers. It is also possible to avoid contact between the user's fingers and the outer walls32 when arecording medium100 held between the user's fingers is mounted on themain plate31. This means it is easy to take arecording medium100 off the bottom12 and to mount arecording medium100 on the bottom12.
• Also, with thestorage case1, by constructing thecase body2 so as to include theback plate13 which joins thelid11 and the bottom12 and integrally forming thelid11, the bottom12, and theback plate13, it is possible to manufacture thestorage case1 by a single injection molding operation, for example, and to thereby sufficiently reduce the manufacturing cost. With thestorage case1, the thickness of thecentral portion21bof themain plate21 of thelid11, the thickness of the central portion31aof themain plate31 of the bottom12, and the thickness of thecentral portion13cof theback plate13 are all set equal. This means that when thelid11, the bottom12, and theback plate13 are injection molded, by providing the molding gate13f(a resin introducing hole) in the center of theback plate13, for example, it becomes possible for resin to flow uniformly inside the cavities of the mold that correspond to themain plates21 and31 and theback plate13. This means that with thestorage case1, it is possible to reliably prevent warping and the production of flashes, shorts, and weld marks inmain plates21 and31 and theback plate13.
• Note that the present invention is not limited to the construction described above. For example, although astorage case1 that can store mini digital video tapes as one example of therecording media100 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to a storage case for various types of recording medium. The shape of the holdingmember3 and the number and shapes of thecutaway portions3cof the holdingmember3 are not limited to the example described above and may be changed as appropriate. Also, although an example where the holdingmember3 is formed of resin foam is described above, it is also possible to form the holdingmember3 using other types of material such as paper. Also, although an example has been described where the outer walls32 are formed with thecutaway portions41 in the central portions thereof in the length direction so that the height at the central portions is lower than the height at both ends, it is also possible to use the opposite construction where the outer walls32 are formed so that both ends thereof are lower than the central portions. It is also possible to use a construction where a plurality ofF cutaway portions41 are formed in one outer wall32.

Claims (5)

1. A recording medium storage case comprising:

a case body including a first case and a second case that is constructed so as to be capable of fitting together with the first case and when fitted together with the first case forms an enclosure capable of storing two recording media; and

a holding member that is capable of being fitted inside the enclosure and in which an opening in which one of the recording media can be fitted is formed.

2. A recording medium storage case according toclaim 1, wherein cutaway portions are formed in edges of the opening in the holding member.

3. A recording medium storage case according toclaim 1, wherein the second case comprises:

a main plate;

outer walls disposed at edges of the main plate; and

at least one partition wall that is disposed on the main plate and together with the outer walls defines two mounting regions in which the recording media can be mounted.

4. A recording medium storage case according toclaim 3, wherein the main plate is rectangularly formed, the outer walls are formed at least one pair of opposite edges of the main plate, and cutaway portions are formed in the outer walls at respective central portions in a length direction of the outer walls.

5. A recording medium storage case according toclaim 1,

wherein the case body includes a back plate that is connected to the first case and the second case at opposite edges thereof to join the first case and the second case, and

the first case, the second case, and the back plate are integrally formed.

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