THE DRAWING
For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the promotional system of the present invention;
FIG. 2, which consists of three separate elements designated A, B, and C, are top plan views of each of the components forming the promotional system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged top plan view of the element shown in FIG. 2B;
FIG. 4, which consists of three elements designated A, B, and C, are top plan views of the fully assembled promotional system depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the promotional system being moved from its closed position to its open position;
FIG. 5, which consists of three elements designated A, B, and C, are top plan views of an alternative embodiment of the promotional system of the present invention with the promotional system being moved from its closed position to its open position;
FIG. 6, which consists of three elements designated A, B, and C, are top plan views of a further alternate embodiment of the promotional system of the present invention with the promotional system being moved from its closed position to its open position;
FIG. 7, which consists of three elements designated A, B, and C, are top plan views of a still further alternate embodiment of the promotional system of the present invention with the promotional system being moved from its closed position to its open position;
FIG. 8, which consists of three elements designated A, B, and C, are top plan views of a further alternate embodiment of the promotional system of the present invention with the promotional system being moved from its closed position to its open position; and
FIG. 9 which consists of five elements designated A, B, C, D, and E are top plan views of a still further alternate embodiment of the promotional system of the present invention with the promotional system being moved from its closed position to its open position.
DETAILED DISCLOSURE
By referring to FIGS. 1-9, along with the following detailed discussion, the preferred construction and operation of several alternate embodiments of the promotional system of the present invention can best be understood. In addition to the embodiments disclosed herein, further alternate variations in the construction and operation of the present invention can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Consequently, it is to be understood that the following drawings as well as the following detailed disclosure is provided for exemplary purposes only and is not intended as a limitation of the present invention.
As clearly depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, promotional system 20 of the present invention preferably incorporates activation plate 21, panel member 22, and support panel 23. As detailed above, support panel 23 is optional, and may be eliminated by incorporating an integrally formed base or bottom surface with panel member 22. Furthermore, as discussed above, activation plate 21 may comprise any desired size, shape, or configuration. In addition, other alterations in variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In accordance with the present invention, one of the principal elements incorporated into promotional system 20 is panel member 22. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, panel member 22 incorporates a plurality of movable sections 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28, each of which are constructed to move independently from the remainder of panel member 22. Furthermore, the particular shape or configuration employed for forming movable sections 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 can be widely varied. However, by referring to the following detailed discussion, the overall construction and operation of movable sections 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 can best be understood.
In order to best understand the preferred construction of movable sections 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28, the following detailed discussion focuses upon the construction of movable section 24, with it being understood that each other movable section is constructed in a substantially identical manner. In this regard, movable section 24 is cut away and independently movable from member 22, with lines 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36 representing the cut or separation lines peripherally surrounding movable section 24.
Line 38 of movable section 24 comprises a fold line and remains as the only portion of movable section 24 which is affixed to panel member 22. In addition, line 38, extends from cut line 36 of movable section 24 to cut line 35 of movable section 24 and is folded for enabling movable section 24 to pivot along fold line 38. Furthermore, each cut line 31 of movable sections 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 combine to form central display area or zone 44 which comprises an integral component of panel member 22 and incorporates indicia, message, image, visual display, or the like desired by the manufacturer or user to provide an eye-catching, distinctive component of promotional system 20. As detailed below, the indicia, message, image, visual display, or the like, formed in central display area/zone 44 represents one component of a desired promotional message, with the second component of the promotional message being formed on support panel 23, or other cooperating components of panel member 22, which is revealed when movable sections 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 are arcuately pivoted into their second position.
In order to achieve the desired arcuate pivoting movement of sections 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28, each of the movable sections also incorporates fold lines 39 and 40 formed thereon. As is more fully detailed below, by forming fold lines 39 and 40 in the positions shown in FIG. 3, each movable section is able to arcuately pivot in a precisely desired controlled manner between its first position and its second position. In this regard, each of movable section 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 arcuately pivot from a first position, wherein each of the movable sections are mounted directly adjacent each other, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, into a second position, wherein each of the movable sections are pivoted away from central display area/zone 44 for revealing the additional message, display, image, etc. formed directly below on support panel 23.
In order to achieve the desired arcuate pivoting movement of sections 24, 25, 26, and 27, tab 45, which is formed by cut line 33, 34, and 35, is employed. In the preferred construction, activation plate 21 is placed in overlying, juxtaposed cooperating relationship with panel member 22, with tab 45 of each movable section 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 being affixed to the bottom surface of activation plate 21.
In addition, in the embodiment depicted, activation plate 21 comprises a generally circular shape defined by outside edge 48 and inside edge 49, which effectively establishes an enlarged central aperture 51. In the preferred embodiment, as depicted, the diameter of inside edge 49 is substantially equivalent to the diameter of central display area/zone 44. In this way, when activation plate 21 is mounted to panel member 22 in the desired manner, with tabs 45 affixed thereto, central display area/zone 44 is fully visible through aperture 51 formed by inside edge 49 of activation plate 21.
Once activation plate 21 is mounted to panel member 22 with tabs 45 of each of movable section 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 affixed to the lower surface of activation plate 21, promotional system 20 is fully assembled and ready for use. In this regard, in the preferred embodiment, support panel 23 is mounted as the bottom element of promotional system 20, with support panel 23 being securely affixed to the bottom surface of panel member 22.
Once fully assembled, with each component incorporating an eye-catching, distinctive, exciting and interest generating display, information, message, image, etc. desired by the manufacturer or user, promotional system 20 is ready for use. In order to activate promotional system 20, one of the several alternate constructions or activation systems can be employed. In FIG. 4, promotional system 20, substantially identical to the promotional system depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and detailed above, is shown fully assembled and ready for employing manual activation to control the movement of cooperating movable sections. In the construction shown in FIG. 4, four movable sections 24, 25, 26, and 27 are depicted, as opposed to the five movable section shown in FIG. 1-3.
In the preferred construction of this embodiment of the present invention, activation plate 21 incorporates holding flange 50 radially extending outwardly from outside edge 48 of activation plate 21. By employing holding flange 50, the user is able to easily control the movement of activation plate 21 and movable sections 24, 25, 26, and 27.
As discussed above, in assembling this embodiment of promotional system 20, each tab 45 of each of movable section is affixed to the bottom surface of activation plate 21, with central aperture 51 formed by inside edge 49 being aligned with central display area/zone 44 of panel member 22. In this way, the indicia printed on movable sections 24, 25, 26, and 27, which define central display area/zone 44, is readily viewable through enlarged aperture 51 of activation plate 21.
In order to enable the user to manually activate promotional system 20 of the present invention, and reveal the additional information, indicia, message, etc. printed on support panel 23, the user would manually grab holding flange 50 and arcuately pivot activation plate 21 relative to panel member 22. This arcuate pivoting movement causes movable sections 24, 25, 26, and 27 to pivot therewith, with each section moving about fold lines 38, 39 and 40. Since tab 45 of each movable section is affixed to activation plate 21, the movement of activation plate 21 forces each of the movable sections to pivot therewith about the cooperating fold lines.
By forming fold lines 38, 39 and 40 in the manner detailed above, movable sections 24, 25, 26, and 27 arcuately pivot principally about fold line 38, causing each movable section to move from a position of visibility through aperture 51 to a position wherein each movable section is substantially hidden below activation plate 21. As a result, the eye-catching printed indicia, message, information, etc. printed on movable sections 24, 25, 26, and 27 disappears from view, revealing the second eye-catching, visual information, indicia, message, etc. printed on support panel 23.
By employing cooperating or complementary information, displays, images, etc. on movable section 24, 25, 26, and 27 as well as on support panel 23, a unique, interest generating and information providing promotional system 20 is realized. Furthermore, this embodiment of the present invention provides a promotional system wherein the user is able to repeatedly participate in the activation and movement of the cooperating sections for repeatedly moving the sections between their first position and their second position. In this way, all of the desired attributes for a promotional system are realized and a unique, interest generating, visually exciting, informative promotional system is attained.
In FIGS. 5 and 6, two alternate embodiments for constructing an automatically activated promotional system in accordance with the present invention is depicted. In each of these embodiments, promotional system 20 incorporates an overlying cover or panel 55 which is intimately connected with activation plate 21, panel member 22, and support panel 23 of the construction. In each of these embodiments, the arcuate pivoting movement of cover 55 causes activation plate 21 to move in the desired direction for effectively achieving the arcuate pivoting movement of the associated movable sections.
In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the pivoting movement of cover 55 causes the dual layer construction of activation plate 21 and panel member 22 to move relative to each other, thereby forcing movable sections 24, 25, 26, and 27 to move between their two alternate positions. Furthermore, cover 55 preferably comprises an enlarged aperture 58 formed therein which is dimensioned for enabling central display area/zone 44 of panel member 22 to be visible whenever cover 55 overlies panel 22. In this way, the promotional information printed thereon can be seen and enjoyed.
Similarly, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, the arcuate pivoting movement of cover 55 causes arm 56 to move simultaneously therewith. Since arm 56 is connected directly to activation plate 21, the movement of arm 56 causes activation plate 21 to move in the desired manner, effectively activating movable sections 24, 25, 26, and 27 to move from their first position to their second position. In this way, this embodiment of promotional system 20 achieves the desired automatic activation for enabling the user to observe the interest generating indicia, message, information display, etc. formed on movable sections 24, 25, 26, and 27, as well as on panel member 22 in central display area/zone 44.
In FIG. 7, an automatic activation system is depicted, wherein promotional system 20 is incorporated into a box configuration. In this embodiment, cover or panel 55 is employed for activating movable sections 24, 25, 26, and 27, in a manner either equivalent to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5 or 6. However, in addition to moving sections 24, 25, 26, and 27 between their first and second positions, by incorporating a box construction in association therewith, central display area/zone 44 can define the interior of the associated box, thereby allowing a prize, gift, or other physical object to be easily reached by inserting a hand through aperture 51. In this way, a further dimension and added value to promotional system 20 of the present invention is realized.
In FIGS. 8 and 9, two further additional embodiments of the present invention are fully depicted. In each of these embodiments, promotional system 20 is manually activated. However, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the manual activation of activation plate 21 is achieved by employing pull tab 60.
Preferably, promotional system 20 depicted in FIG. 8 is constructed in a manner substantially identical to the construction detailed above in reference to FIGS. 1-4. In addition, however, pull tab 60 is sandwiched between panel member 22 and support panel 23, with pull tab 60 directly connected to activation plate 21. As a result, whenever pull tab 60 is moved outwardly from its first, stowed position, as depicted in FIG. 8A, the outward movement causes activation plate 21 to arcuately pivot, causing cut-out sections 24, 25, 26, and 27 to move from their first position into their second position.
As depicted in FIG. 8B, when pull tab 60 is partially drawn away from panel member 22 and support panel 23, movable sections 24, 25, 26, and 27 become partially opened, with the complete opening thereof being achieved when pull tab 60 is extended outwardly from panel member 22 and support panel 23 to its full extent, as depicted in FIG. 8C. By employing this embodiment of the present invention, an alternate construction is achieved for enabling promotional system 20 to be quickly and easily activated by the user.
In this way, the user is able to repeatedly participate in the activation movement of the cooperating sections, repeatedly moving the sections between their first position and their second position. As a result, all of the desired attributes of the promotional system of the present invention are realized and the unique, interest generating and visually exciting information printed thereon, along with the message to be conveyed, is realized.
In FIG. 9, a further alternate embodiment of the present invention is depicted. In this embodiment, promotional system 20 is constructed in a manner substantially similar to the construction detailed above in reference to FIGS. 1-4. However, in order to provide a further unique and surprising display construction, this embodiment of promotional system 20 incorporates two separate and independent layers of movable sections, thereby providing a total of three independent viewable messages, other than the two independent messages provided by the embodiments detailed above.
As shown in FIG. 9, this embodiment of promotional system 20 incorporates a single activation plate 21 which is constructed for arcuate movement relative to movable sections 24, 25, 26, and 27. As with the embodiments detailed above, whenever activation plate 21 is arcuately moved, movable sections 24, 25, 26, and 27 are simultaneously moved from their first display position to their second withdrawn position as represented in FIGS. 9A-9C. However, in this embodiment, a second layer of movable sections 24A, 25A, 26A, and 27A are positioned below the first set of movable sections for being displayed when the first set of movable sections have been moved into their second withdrawn position.
Furthermore, in accordance with the construction of this embodiment of the present invention, the continued arcuate movement of activation plate 21 causes the second set of movable sections 24A, 25A, 26A, and 27A, to be moved from their first display position into their second withdrawn position, as represented by FIGS. 9C-9E. In this way, any desired indicia can be printed on the exposed surfaces of movable sections 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28, as well as on the surfaces of movable sections 24A, 25A, 26A, and 27A. In addition, any desired indicia may also be printed on the surface of support panel 23, for being displayed only when in the second set of movable sections have been controllably moved into their second position.
As a result of this construction, promotional system 20 is capable of enabling a user to provide three separate and distinct levels of printed indicia in the single promotional system 20. As a result, any desired added information, messages, logos, displays, colors, graphics, etc. can be conveyed to the user in a unique promotional product which is capable of providing an added and surprising level of interest and excitement to the user.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above article without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sentence.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
Patent Application
20080047180
