Optical disc packaging

CD and DVD packaging used to protect, storage and transport of optical data storage. Some of these packages offer the possibility space for Beihefte called booklets. CD and DVD packaging are usually made of plastic, and partly out of cardboard. They must be distinguished from cartridges that are inserted connected to the CD -ROM into the optical drive.

This article covers the packaging for media ( as well as their Beihefte ) with 120 mm diameter. The packaging for the rarer mini CD or mini DVD with 80 mm diameter are similar.

• 2.2.1 Keep Case / Amaray
• 2.2.2 Digifile
• 2.2.3 Digipak
• 2.2.4 Digisleeve
• 2.2.5 Ecopac
• 2.2.6 Snapper Case

• 2.3.1 Paper Window Case 2.3.1.1 bird bag

• 2.4.1 Cakebox (spindle)
• 2.4.2 JakeBox
• 2.4.3 Steelbook
• 2.4.4 DVD cases from vending machines video stores
• 2.4.5 Slidepac
• 2.4.6 CD mailer ( transport packaging )
• 2.4.7 Clip Tray
• 2.4.8 Packaging variants of tinplate

Terms

Under the cover of the CD- and DVD - packaging refers to a flap which forms the front of the packaging, and is movably connected with the rear side, that the package can be opened and closed again. On the underside of the actual holder of the data carrier, the tray is mounted. Some packages also the tray itself forms the bottom.

Cover and tray of CD and DVD packaging are not modified printed or artistic in general. Some of these packages but offer space for Beihefte called booklets, which contain more information about the contents of the disk. With an Audio CD booklet informs inter alia the names of the participating artists, producers, music, lyrics and is usually similar to a record covers, artistically designed. With a CD- ROM, the booklet can also replace the manual and the license document for the serial number. A booklet consists of two to about 80 pages.

In addition offer many packages on the front and / or back space for small deposits, called inlays, in addition to the sometimes extensive booklet. The inlays are the external design of the packaging and are mandatory ² FSK or USK designation provided in by the FSK or USK tested films or video games from 1 April 2010 on the front with at least 1200 mm. Since the Prüflabels for many consumers seem aesthetically negative, some packages will be provided with double sided inlays that can turn around after the acquisition and use their printed without FSK-/USK-Kennzeichen back of the purchaser. Such inlays are called Wendecover.

Lines of development

Line of development with hinge mechanism

With the development of hinge line all the CD and DVD packaging are referred to, which consist of several hard plastic parts and where the cover and the tray are connected by a hinge.

Jewel Case

The first packaging for the CD was the jewel case (English for jewelery box ), sometimes also called jewel box. It is 142 mm wide, 125 mm high and 10 mm thick. This package consists of the following components:

• A cover ( lid ) made ​​of transparent plastic, which for a holder
• A Booklet ( Booklet ) ( dimensions 120 × 120 mm) containing.
• The back of the cover consists of three parts: a clear plastic, paper inlay ( inlay ) and the carrier (tray ).
• The inlay mostly describes in brief the contents of the disk ( dimensions 151 mm × 118 mm, and the fold is on the left and right 6.5 mm wide).
• The tray is the carrier of the storage medium. This is attached to the holding mechanism of the tray. The tray was originally made up of gray, black or white, now often made ​​from clear plastic, so that the inside of the inlay can be printed. Since in the original Aufsteckmechanismus often erupt holding pieces, of which there are now a number of other variants. In general, the tray bears the official CD or DVD logo. With newer CD and DVD packaging can be found instead of a logo at this point for two different reasons often an empty area: The missing logo allows the manufacturer a Jewel Case deployed as a CD as well as DVD packaging for sale.
• The missing logo can also be a legal Notice to Buyer: The use of the logo must be licensed and also applies to the disk and packaging. Meets the disk is not the official specification of a CD or DVD, so neither the media nor its packaging must bear the logo. The specification ensures that the disc is playable in any valid drive. The best known example is the " copy-protected " audio CD, because the official specification ( Red Book standard ) provides no copy protection.

Cases for several CDs based on the Jewel Case

For two to four CDs, there is a kind of double - jewel case, which basically consists of two backs ( clear plastic trays plus parts ) of the single jewel case, which are hooked foldable in a common carrier. For cases for three or four CDs this carrier is equipped with one or two other holding wreaths. Since the edge of the hinges needs space for the rotational movement when folding, this type of housing with 24 mm is much wider than two single jewel cases. In these cases there are two inlays ( one of which is as a front to make ) and up to two booklets space; a booklet is only provided for a publication, instead of the second typically a piece of foam is inserted.

So slim as a single jewel case are different versions of double hull, the tray is also foldable and on its back a further holding wreath for a second CD has (eg the so-called Brilliant Box [sic ] ). Depending on the embodiment, the hinge of the trays is at the same or the opposite edge of the hinge of the cover flap. As the single jewel cases, these cases accommodate an inlay and booklet.

The combination of two of these folding trays to a common carrier of the thick double hull ( with additional retaining rings ) results in a cover for up to six CDs.

CD single and Slimcase

The two best-known developments of the jewel case packaging, the CD single (including Maxi - CD ) and the Slimcase that differ in particular by their thinner version of the jewel case. Is the Jewel Case 10.3mm thick, the CD single of only 7 mm, the Slimcase is only 5 mm thick. This was possible because in both developments, the snap mechanisms of the tray have been integrated into the outer shell and the inlay, accounted for additional information on the back. The CD single contains no booklet, but only one sheet which is folded on the right side, so that there is a narrow readable back here. Unlike the jewel case the CD is visible from the outside when the package is closed and is therefore inserted with the printed side facing out. Will be disadvantageous considered that the rear panel contains the resilient mounting clamps openings, creating more dust and dirt can get into the interior of the package.

The CD single was from marketing considerations, that an audio CD that contains only a few titles (usually less than 20 minutes), must also visually look different than an album. The lower content could be symbolize good about a slimmer package.

The Slimcase (English for slim sheath ) was developed to support the needs of the computer area accounts to store many individual disk space as possible. This was made possible by the absence of a legible spine ( compare Maxi - CD) and the use of elastic plastics that are sufficiently stable even at lower intensity.

Super Jewel Case

The Super Jewel Case is a higher form variant of the standard jewel cases. It consists of plastic material, has a new, enhanced recording star, rounded corners and reinforced hinges. When special inlay of super jewel cases, not only the side bars can be labeled left and right; There are also printable webs above and below, so that the case is around printed on the webs. Although the new inlay fits its dimensions in a classic CD jewel case, because of the two notches for the reinforced hinges to the inlay but extending not go over the entire front page and also on the back creates two gaps. Its outer dimensions are for CDs and SACDs those of a Jewel Cases; DVDs for the sleeves are slightly larger than the usual Keep Case ( 142 mm × 10 mm × 190 mm). For DVD-Audio, there are special super jewel cases that are truncated top and bottom, but otherwise look similar to those for DVDs.

Line of development with folding mechanism

With this line of development all CD and DVD packaging are referred to, in which the flap (cover ) and the back (tray ) are not connected by a hinge, but on a fold ( bending mechanism ).

Keep Case / Amaray

This type of packaging arose only with the DVD. Since the DVD should be the successor of the videotape, they tried that almost bring the DVD package to the consumer. The VHS video cassette is packaged in a plastic bending mechanism. Based on this basic idea was the externally similar, but thinner Keep Case, which also DVD video box, DVD case or - is called Amaray - for a manufacturer of these envelopes.

The Keep Case (135 mm × 14 mm × 190 mm) is mostly used as packaging for DVDs and is bigger than the jewel case. Outside there is a title page (cover, or called because the second function for the interior design also inlay card, standard dimensions 273 mm × 183 mm ), the inside of the lid optional Booklet ( Booklet), which is used for example in software as a manual or more information about the CD / DVD contains. This package, which is available in over forty varieties of different manufacturers, is used for many game CD -ROMs and DVDs. For space- saving storage, there is also a slim variant ( 7 mm) for one or two disks.

The Blu- ray Disc in Western countries has slightly modified Keep Cases. These differ from the previous Keep Cases primarily by their uniform color ( as an allusion to the disk, striking blue-transparent ) and the smaller dimensions (170 mm in height and depending on the manufacturer between 130 mm and 150 mm in width ).

Digifile

The Digifile is a 3-sided cardboard box that can be opened. The first and second side ( in the unfolded state left and middle ) is labeled as a rule, the third side (right) includes a support slot for the CD / DVD. This type of packaging is however quite unusual. Therefore, there is still no standard for the design of a Digifiles. Consequently, the position of the disc in Digifile is different from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Digipak

The Digipak is a package for containing from one to eight CDs or DVDs. It is considered high quality, but is more prone to damage. Digipak is a registered trademark of AGI.

Digipak usually have the same size as the normal jewel case, but are - at half depth - even up to the size of a VHS cassette available. The larger sizes are particularly prevalent in film DVDs and are often referred to herein as a digibook. In the shell, which is usually made ​​of chromo and finished with gloss laminate, a tray of black, white or transparent plastic to hold the CD or DVD is glued. With the larger formats is outside mostly still attached to protect the edges a three-sided plastic sheathing.

Digisleeve

The Digisleeve is a hinged Papptasche. This package also provides space for a booklet.

Ecopac

The Ecopac is a hinged, made ​​of recycled paper CD packaging and thus biodegradable.

Snapper Case

The Snap Case, Snapper Case or (named after the supplier of Warner Home Video) Ivy Hill Snapper box was until about 2004, a cost-effective packaging consisting of a plastic tray for receiving a single disk and a book- cover - like sheath made ​​of printed cardboard that was clamped to the back of the trays and was folded over the front, where a cast- on tray latch mechanism locked the construction. The packaging was taken relatively quickly from the market, after falling prices for Amaray Cases neutralized the main advantage. In addition, the Snapper box was by design unsuitable for the distribution of two or more DVDs.

Line of development with sliding mechanism

Daunter fall all CD and DVD packaging, in the not go down the volume, but pushed ( inserted) is. The advantage is the simpler design of the packaging, since the medium is held by friction in the packaging and a fastening mechanism is conserved, which fixes the medium at the central hole. However, the major disadvantage of these packages is thus caused higher stress on the surface of the media, as they can easily scratch through the in and out pushing.

Paper window bag

The paper window bag (including paper envelopes, paper cardboard wallet or paper sleeve called ) usually consists of white paper in the quality 90 gr / m² with a circular window (diameter 110 mm) and has the format of 124 mm × 124 mm. In order to glue the bag in a magazine or book, they needed a back rubber. In general, the closure is self-adhesive. High quality bags ( absolute flatness, accurate folding, neat bonding ) can be filled by machine.

Bird bag

A special paper jewel case is the so-called bird bag with wide edge (format 145 mm x 190 mm), which is named after the book and magazine publishing Vogel, who introduced it in 1992. It is, as the normal paper envelope, often used for CDs and DVDs that come with the magazines or books. The bird bag is so stapled or glued to a discrete collection of CD is complicated by thieves between the pages of a magazine or a book. Due to the wide rim, it is suitable, in contrast to small-sized paper wrappers, also for filing.

Cardboard cover

The cardboard sleeve is a simple and inexpensive packaging for CDs and DVDs. It does not have a mechanism for closing ( such as the tissue paper ). Music magazines usually use cardboard sleeves as packaging. That may be a reference to record covers of cardboard. Very spread the cardboard cover is also as packaging of demo CDs.

E - slimcase

The e- slimcase (including Flip ' n' Grip, VarioPac, Kickout Case or disc ProTexx called ), however, has the size of a Slimcases is not hinged. The disc is inserted on the end face and can be ejected via a lever later. The floating mounting in the envelope ( the volume is fixed, only in the margin) there is no contact between the disk surface with the shell.

A further development of the standard version, the e - jewelcase. It offers the possibility to insert a cover. Furthermore, there is the e - slimcase in abheftbaren variants with standard perforations, with an additional solid-colored piece of plastic with holes is snapped into the open side of the case. There is also a double- version for two CDs, which is naturally thicker, so no more " slim", and two lever has to eject.

Polybag

The poly bag is a simple clear plastic cover, the left and right is welded and folded at the bottom. The top is either open or it has a locking tab which is fixed with a sticker. In addition, the shell can be provided on the back with a rubber coating to make them glued in a magazine or a book. The plastic parts of the ejector mechanism are monochrome, the remaining plastic parts, so that the label of the disk is transparent always visible.

Musicpac

The Musicpac is sold mainly in Brazil, today they are seen, however, increasingly, in German shops. This is a simple package in order to save costs and material.

The CD is fixed on a normal, well-known from the jewel case, plastic holder and then slid into a cardboard slipcase. In most packaging is no need for a booklet.

Other lines of development

Cakebox (spindle)

A Cakebox (English for cake tin ) or spindle cell or short spindle is a reusable package for storing a larger number of CDs or DVDs. It consists of a round plastic plate (usually made of polypropylene) with a spindle in the center, to which the CD or DVD can be installed. It is provided with a high, mostly transparent plastic lid and a bayonet lock.

Markers Spindle is available in different sizes. Popular sizes have capacities of 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, or 150 CDs / DVDs. Markers Spindle since 2004 the preferred packaging for recordable CDs and DVDs. Advantage of the spindles is the high packing density of the media at very affordable price, the packaging.

JakeBox

The JakeBox is a patented packaging from Sweden. The disk is held in the packaging of a claw that rises up when you open the package. The JakeBox is 100% made ​​of cardboard and is available with or without booklet slot.

Steelbook

A Steelbook is a DVD case, made ​​the outer shell of metal and the inside is lined with plastic. Steelbooks have the usual size of a DVD case, are rounded at the corners and hinged.

Steelbook is the registered brand name of the Danish company Glud & Marstrand; they are distributed worldwide by the company Scanavo that came with this type of packaging the first on the market. Other vendors call similar products eg Metalpak.

DVD cases from vending machines video stores

Automatic video stores usually use specially developed for their system, foldable packaging. The shells must have a centered cutout so that the reading of a bar code affixed to the disk is enabled. Also, is placed on a space-saving possible storage in the machine value.

Slidepac

The " Slidepac " is an alternative to Jewel and softbox. The cardboard case provides room for a plastic tray, which can be mechanically assemble together with the disc; it is also lighter than a normal jewel case. The " Slidepac " is offered in three different sizes ( CD, Blu-Ray and DVD format ).

Some publications (eg Jewel Case ) and a lower-priced version in Slidepac being made available in a version in traditional packaging. The Slidepac versions are then sold, for example as ( Limited) Pur Edition.

CD mailer ( transport packaging )

A CD Mailer (also DiscMail or CD -cover ) is for postal delivery of a CD or DVD. Although CDs and DVDs are carried in conventional shipping containers, but are esp. of professional users (eg, advertisers) use CD mailer because the disks are in better protected.

Clip tray

A clip tray is a packaging consisting of a tray and a transparent polypropylene film. The PP sheet is glued to the tray. A clip tray is super flat and has space for a disk and a booklet. The tray also has a 80 mm - filing holes for modular storage in ring binders and folders. Clip trays are available in different colors.

Types of packaging made ​​of tinplate

The packaging made ​​of tinplate is in many designs on the market and often part of a sales promotion campaign. The variety of shapes ranging from round or square to rectangular in different heights, usually with printing or embossing. This form of CD / DVD packaging is also available for PC games use. Cans in the CD / DVD -Look also serve as promotional material with inset company brochures or product catalogs.