BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be further understood from the following drawings that illustrate the present invention by way of example:
FIG. 1 is a rear view of an advertising delivery device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially transparent rear view of the device of FIG. 1. The flap of the device is closed and the front of the flap is showing.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a publication bearing the device of FIG. 1 on its cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the device 10 of the present invention is an envelope for delivering advertising material. The device 10 is provided with a first layer 12 and a second layer 14 adjacent the first layer 12 and contiguously connected to first layer 12. An opening 16 is provided between top portions of the first and second layers 12, 14. Opening 16 is provided for inserting advertising materials to be distributed between the first and second layers 12, 14. Opening 16 is sealable by a flap 20 extending from either the first layer 12 or second layer 14. In the embodiment of the device 10 shown in FIG. 1, flap 20 extends from the second layer 14. Flap 20 may have an envelope adhesive 22 applied to at least part of the rear or inner surface of the flap. Envelope adhesive 22 may be the type of adhesive commonly used to seal envelopes. Flap 20 has an adhesive 13 for the attachment to a printed medium applied to at least part of the front or outer surface of the flap. The adhesive 13 is preferably some type of pressure-sensitive repositionable glue. In another embodiment of the device (not shown), the adhesive for attachment to a printed medium is applied to at least part of the surface of the first layer 12 of the device and is applied to at least part of the front or outer surface of flap 20. Adhesive 13 is preferably applied to flap 20 in an inline process. A peelable release layer 24, at least large enough to cover adhesive 13, may be placed on and adhesively attached to adhesive 13.
Advertising materials may be inserted into device 10 before or after device 10 is adhesively attached to printed medium N (shown in FIG. 3). After advertising materials have been inserted into the device 10, the flap 20 is folded over opening 16 until flap 20 is flush with first layer 12. If flap 20 has envelope adhesive 22 applied to at least part of the rear surface of the flap, envelope adhesive 22 adhesively attaches flap 20 to first layer 12. The advertising material is effectively sandwiched between the first layer 12 and second layer 14.
Referring to FIG. 3, the device 10 is positioned and adhesively attached to printed medium N, for instance, for distribution to potential customers of the product being advertised. If device 10 has a peelable release layer 24, release layer 24 is peeled-off of first layer 12, exposing the adhesive 13, prior to device being adhesively attached to printed medium N.
Printed medium N may be any distributed medium, for example, a newspaper, magazine, publication or the like. Printed medium N may be subscribed to by a person or purchased at a news stand, for instance. It will also be understood that device 10 of the present invention may be specifically affixed to a page containing an advertisement placed by the advertiser sponsoring the device. The second layer 14 of device 10 may also have a window 18 formed therein, so that any personalized message on the advertising material will be visible.
It should be noted that the use of adhesive to secure the device 10 onto a printed medium N is not to be seen as restrictive and that other means, for example staples or tape, may be used instead where and when appropriate.
A description of the production and use of advertising delivery device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention follows.
Advertising materials and devices are first produced according to a marketer's requirements. In the present embodiment of the invention, advertising materials consist of printed materials, for example, letters and brochures. The advertising materials and devices may or may not be personalized in view of the recipients' needs or preferences. The advertising materials and devices are printed together on a continuous roll of paper. After printing is complete, the roll of paper is cut into separate advertising material and device sections. Individual, unassembled devices are cut from the device section and individual advertising materials are cut from the advertising material section or sections. Each individual unassembled device is assembled into a device 10 as shown in FIG. 1. The advertising materials are inserted into the devices. Other folders, order forms, reply envelopes, product samples, CDs, and the like, which may or may not be personalized, may be inserted into the devices as well. The devices are then adhesively closed. The second layer 14 of the devices acts as a protective barrier against transport and handling hazards thereby keeping the advertising materials fresh and professional looking. The adhesive 13 is then applied to the back of the devices and a peelable release layer 24 is placed on and adhesively attached to the adhesive 13. The devices are then sent to the marketer. The marketer removes the release layer 24 from a device 10, positions the device on a printed medium, and adhesively secures the device to the printed medium.
Use of the device 10 may also be seen as an alternative to regular mail service for some marketers.
It will be understood that the present invention as described may be modified in many ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
Patent Application
20070241171
