Applicator for protective cover for an optical disc

Abstract

There is provided a new and useful apparatus for applying a removable protective cover to an optical disc in which the optical disc has a circular configuration, an aperture centered therein and an outer edge. The cover comprises at least one sheet of film of generally circular configuration which corresponds to the circular configuration of the disc. The cover is constructed of a material that will not adversely interfere with the read process of the disc when the cover is in place about the disc. The cover further comprises a plurality of resilient clasps spaced about a circumferential edge of the film to engage the disc about its outer edge in a snap-on spring-like fit. The apparatus has a base to hold the cover with the clasps in a closed position oriented upwardly away from the base, a moveable expanding means to urge the clasps from the closed position to an open, disc-receiving position, centering means to orient and hold the disc concentric with the cover and a top having an inside face and an outside face. The top comprises press means to exert a force on the disc in the direction of the cover, whereby the force urges the edge of the disc to co-operate with the expanding means to expand the clasps into the open disc-receiving position while urging the disc in position within the cover whereby the clasps return to the closed position thereby engaging the edge of the disc in the snap-on spring-like fit.