Ecologically acceptable package for a recording medium

Abstract

An ecologically acceptable package for a recording medium includes a pair of easily separable paperboard and plastic components. The paperboard component defines a hollow box with a front face defining a large central aperture, and a front flap pivotal between a closed orientation wherein the front flap overlies the box front face to block access thereto and an open orientation wherein the front flap exposes the box front face to enable access thereto. The plastic component is thermoformed and defines a tray and optionally a locking mechanism. The tray includes a downwardly extending recess disposed at least partially within the front face central aperture for receipt of a recording medium, and an outwardly extending margin. The tray also includes a plurality of depressions about the recess for releasably securing the plastic component to the box front face without the use of glue. The optional locking mechanism includes an extension extending outwardly from the tray margin to a box edge, and a flipper connected to the extension by a living hinge and pivotable between a blocking orientation wherein the flipper blocks movement of the front flap between the open and closed orientations and an enabling orientation wherein the flipper enables such movement of the front flap.