Patent Application
20090212552
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for communicating information, and more particularly to an apparatus configured to communicate information and a method of distribution and redistribution of the apparatus.
In an era of increased electronic communication, the use of traditional physical communication mediums, such as greeting cards, post cards, letters and the like is still widespread. With these physical mediums of communication, the lifecycle of the medium is typically of a short duration. Recipients of such mediums of communication usually discard the communication medium shortly after its receipt. The typical method of discarding involves simply placing the communication medium in the trash where it will eventually end up at a landfill. There are many environmental concerns related to the increase of material sent to landfills, as well as the concern over possible toxic chemicals from the discarded communication medium exposing the environment around it.
There are other possible paths for discarding with physical communication mediums that involve recycling the physical medium. Unfortunately, because of undesirable chemical constituents typically present in these mediums, recycling usually means downcycling. In other words, recycling of a medium of communication, such as a greeting card, typically means that the greeting card will be processed for use in some other product of lesser value. Thus, there is a loss of value of the material through the recycling process. Accordingly, there is a need for a physical communication medium that is constructed of material(s) that is safe for the environment, and that allows the medium to be recycled into a product of the same value as the original product and/or is fully biodegradable.
A method of processing a communication apparatus includes putting the communication apparatus into a distribution channel for distribution via one or more intermediaries to a user of the communication apparatus, the user of which can forward the communication apparatus to a desired recipient. The communication apparatus includes a substrate and a communication element coupled to the substrate and is constructed of one or more materials that are a bio-technical nutrient. The communication apparatus is received from a recipient directly or via one or more intermediaries. The communication apparatus is processed to prepare a second communication apparatus for distribution to another user.
The present invention provides solutions to the problems associated with the post consumer disposal of physical communication mediums. An apparatus according to the invention is constructed of one or more materials that provide alternative and better paths for post consumer use and disposal of physical communication mediums. These paths provide the recipient of a physical communication medium the option of (1) causing the communication medium to be recycled for reuse as another communication medium, or (2) causing the communication medium to be placed in a location where it can fully biodegrade. Materials can be used that contain low toxicity chemicals, thus eliminating any harmful effects to the environment. Thus, a recipient or other user can dispose of the communication medium in an ecologically benign manner, such as by simply placing the communication medium in the ground.
A physical communication medium or “communication apparatus” as that term is used herein can be configured in a variety of different forms such as a greeting card, an envelope, a note, a postcard, an invitation, a book, a magazine, a catalog, a newspaper, a calendar and the like, or a combination of such forms such as an envelope and greeting card combination. A communication apparatus can include a substrate with one or more communication elements coupled thereto. The communication element can be pictorial, graphical, textual or any other type of communication that is interpretable or viewable by a human recipient. The substrate can be constructed with one or more materials that are either a technical nutrient material, a biological nutrient material or a bio-technical nutrient material as described in more detail below.
A “technical nutrient” material as used herein is a material that is a material of human artifice designed to circulate within an industrial cycle, more than one time and potentially endlessly. It is thus a material appropriate for use in an industrial closed-loop system, that is, a system where an item is manufactured, used, recovered and re-manufactured, continually. A technical nutrient material is therefore recyclable. A recyclable item is typically referred to as an item that is capable of being processed such that one or more materials used to make the item can be reused in some other lower valued form. The item is effectively what is sometimes referred to as “downcycled.” Recyclable as used herein refers to the ability to process an item after its initial use by a consumer/end user and use the item as raw material or feedstock for manufacture of a similar item or another product that makes a similarly high valued use of the material (rather than a lower-valued use). As an example, a technical nutrient material can be a polymer, such as polyester. At the end of its useful life, the polyester can be returned to an industrial process for reuse intact and/or for repolymerization. Preferably, the polyester is processed only with chemicals that are optimized for human and ecological health. Some specific product examples of technical nutrient materials include Victor Innovatex—Eco Intelligent Polyester™ (a synthetic textile), Shaw Eco Solution Q™ (a nylon 6 yarn) and Ecoworx™ (a polyolefin-based thermoplastic, PVC-free backing). Some metals, e.g. iron, are also suitable.
A “biological nutrient” as that term is used herein is a material usable by living organisms or cells to carry on life processes such as growth, cell division, synthesis of carbohydrates, and other complex functions. Biological nutrient materials are typically carbon-based compounds and can biodegrade naturally. Biological nutrients are typically comprised of materials that are rapidly renewable, naturally biodegradable, and all constituents of the material are deemed to be ecologically safe. A naturally biodegradable material is one that poses no immediate or eventual hazard to living systems, and can be used for human purposes and safely returned to the environment to feed the ecological processes. A biological nutrient material disintegrates (breaks down into minute particles and/or into its constituent molecular or atomic components) in common environmental conditions (i.e. in the presence of air and/or water within the temperature range of, for example liquid water) over a time frame that is environmentally appropriate (e.g. over a period of days or weeks, but less than years). Examples of biological nutrient materials include essentially any plant material such as cellulose fibers (e.g. cotton, flax, ramie), plant-based starches, or animal material (animal dermis, gut, hair or wool) and some metals (e.g. iron). A specific product example of a biological nutrient material is Climatex® Lifecycle™ fabric (an organically grown ramie combined with wool). The biological nutrient material is preferably processed only with chemicals that are optimized for human and ecological health.
Materials that would not normally be considered to be naturally biodegradable include most mineral-based materials (e.g. glass), and corrosion-resistant metals (e.g. stainless steels, aluminum). Other examples of, and explanation of the concepts of, technical and biological nutrients are set forth in W. McDonough and M. Braungart, Cradle to Cradle (North Point Press, 2002), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
A “bio-technical” or hybrid nutrient material includes properties of both a technical nutrient material and a biological nutrient material. Thus, a bio-technical nutrient material is a material capable of either being recycled for reuse at a high value in an industrial process cycle or being naturally biodegraded. Examples of bio-technical nutrient materials include Cargill Dow's Natureworks™ (a resin made from renewable resources such as corn) and Ingeo™ (a synthetic fiber derived from renewable resources).
Turning now to the figures,
The consumer may transfer the communication apparatus to a recipient at step 64, or alternatively the consumer can retain the communication apparatus for his/her own use. When the consumer is finished with (ready to discard) the communication apparatus, the consumer can transfer the communication apparatus to a third party at step 66 for subsequent placement in a location to naturally biodegrade at step 68. Alternatively, the consumer can directly place the communication apparatus in a location to naturally biodegrade at step 70.
If the communication apparatus was transferred to a recipient at step 64, the recipient can either transfer the communication apparatus to a third party at step 72 for subsequent placement in a location to naturally biodegrade at step 74, or directly place the communication apparatus in a location to naturally biodegrade at step 74.
The customer can transfer the communication apparatus to a recipient at step 78. Alternatively, the customer can retain the communication apparatus for his/her own use. When the customer is finished with (ready to discard) the communication apparatus, the customer can transfer the communication apparatus to a third party at step 80 for subsequent recycling at step 82. After the communication apparatus has been recycled, the resultant processed material(s) can be fed back into the closed-loop manufacturing process as either raw material(s) at step 52 or as feedstock at step 54.
If the communication apparatus was transferred to a recipient at step 78, the recipient can transfer the communication apparatus to a third party at step 80 for subsequent recycling at step 82. After the communication apparatus has been recycled, the resultant processed material(s) can be fed back into the closed-loop manufacturing process as either raw material(s) at step 52 or as feedstock at step 54.
If the communication apparatus is constructed with one or more bio-technical nutrient materials, either a consumer or customer purchases the communication apparatus. Since a communication apparatus constructed of a bio-technical nutrient material is capable of being naturally biodegraded or recycled, either path on
In some embodiments, the recipient or customer/consumer may be instructed to reconfigure the communication apparatus such that a return address will be visible for sending the communication apparatus to a third party. The third party may be a processor, a manufacturer, a distributor or other intermediary. A processor may include a company or entity that can process or recycle the apparatus to prepare it for reuse as a raw material or feedstock to make a product. Recycling the apparatus may include separating the communication element(s) from the substrate. Recycling may also include rolling or ironing the communication apparatus, chemically or thermally treating the communication apparatus and shredding or otherwise re-shaping the communication apparatus.
The manufacturer may be the original manufacturer of the communication apparatus or a different manufacturer. The manufacturer may either perform the recycling process on the communication apparatus, or may send the communication apparatus to a processor to be recycled or processed. A distributor may be a party in the stream of distribution that can send the communication apparatus to a manufacturer or processor for subsequent recycling, or to a location to be subsequently biodegraded. For example, a distributor may be a retail store having a drop box location for which a customer/consumer or recipient can drop-off the communication apparatus when they are finished with it. A drop box can be used for communication apparatuses that will be either subsequently biodegraded or recycled.
After the communication apparatus has been recycled, by a manufacturer, a processor, or other third party, the processed substrate (now a processed material) can then be reintroduced into the stream of distribution as raw material or feedstock.
The feedstock may be provided in a variety of different forms. For example, in some embodiments the feedstock is in the form of rolled material stock. In other embodiments, the feedstock is in the form of material sheets. In some embodiments, a communication apparatus may be manufactured, used and recycled into the same dimensional substrate as the initial substrate, allowing the recycled substrate to be placed back in the product lifecycle as feedstock (rather than raw material) for a product having the same dimensions as the original communication apparatus. In other embodiments, the communication apparatus may be manufactured, used and recycled into a similar substrate as its initial use, but with different dimensions. In other embodiments, the communication apparatus may be recycled and made into various other forms of feedstock and/or raw materials.
Likewise, the recipient may transfer the communication apparatus to an intermediary either directly at step 104, or via a postal/common carrier at step 102, for subsequent biodegrading or recycling. Alternatively, the recipient may transfer the communication apparatus to the original manufacturer A at step 84 or a different manufacturer B at step 106 via postal/common carrier at step 102 for subsequent biodegrading or recycling. The intermediary may transfer the communication apparatus to the original manufacturer A at step 84 or to a different manufacturer B at step 106 via postal/common carrier at step 108.
The communication element 18 may include any type of graphical, textual, or pictorial format, including charts, diagrams, and cartographic illustrations viewable and interpretable by a recipient, customer/consumer or other human user. Communication element 18 may be printed directly on substrate 12 with known printing techniques or may be engraved, embossed, attached (such as with an adhesive), formed integrally, or coupled to substrate 12 with any other suitable and known coupling technique. Communication element 18 can include a low toxicity ink, a material suitable for full biodegradability or other suitable compositions. Communication element 18 may also be formed with the same material as used to construct the substrate 12 to allow for simplification of the processing necessary to recycle communication apparatus 10 for subsequent reuse.
Communication element 18, or additional communication elements, may include a variety of different types of communications such as, informational content, personalized content or messages, addresses, return addresses, advertising content and the like. In one embodiment, communication element 18 includes personalized content such as a greeting or other message intended for the recipient (e.g., the text “Happy Birthday” and/or an associated graphic or icon). In another embodiment, communication element 18 includes informational content, such as content found in a book or magazine. In still other embodiments, communication element 18 includes advertising, such as informational content typically found in magazines and newspapers. Communication element 18 may alternatively be, or an additional communication element may be, a postal address for sending communication apparatus 10 to a third party when the recipient or consumer/customer is finished with it. Thus, communication apparatus 10 may be configured to be mailed without the need of a separate envelope to enclose it. One or more additional communication elements may be hand written or attached by the sender of the communication apparatus 10, such as the address or name of the recipient, personalized content, or other desired information.
As described above, the recipient or customer/consumer of communication apparatus 10 will be able to choose alternative paths for disposing of or discarding communication apparatus 10. Instructions may be included in the form of a communication element coupled to substrate 12 to instruct the recipient or customer/consumer on the possible options depending on the particular material used to construct communication apparatus 10. In some embodiments, instructions may be in the form of a website address for receiving further information on how to dispose of communication apparatus 10. Instructions may also be publicly known through advertising and the like.
Securing element 117 is configured to secure or hold communication apparatus 110 in a closed position for sending communication apparatus 110 to the third party when the recipient is ready to discard it. In some embodiments, securing element 117 may include adhesives, hook and loop fasteners, a mechanical attachment or any other known securing method. In some embodiments, securing element 117 is formed integrally with substrate 112. Securing element 117 is preferably constructed with the same material as substrate 112 to further simplify the process to recycle the communication apparatus 110.
Although only communication elements 218 and 220 have been described, it should be understood that additional communication elements may be positioned on the front or back of any of the panels 230, 232 and 234 as desired. For example, a communication element 236 may be included on panel 232 or panel 234 providing additional information to convey to the recipient.
Communication apparatus 310 is reconfigurable between a first orientation 314, in which it is configured to contain apparatus 210, and a second orientation 316, in which it is configured to be received within and contained by apparatus 210. At least one communication element 318 may be coupled to substrate 312 and configured to communicate a first form of information to a recipient of communication apparatus 310 in the first orientation 314. In this embodiment, substrate 312 is reconfigurable by folding communication apparatus 310 along fold line 322. Communication apparatus 310 may be constructed with a technical nutrient material, a biological nutrient material or a bio-technical nutrient material as described above, and is preferably constructed with the same material as apparatus 210.
In the first orientation 314, apparatus 310 can be used as an envelope to send apparatus 210 to a recipient. After the recipient has received the information communicated by apparatus 210, the recipient can place apparatus 310 in the folded or second orientation 316, and insert it between panels 230 and 232 of apparatus 210 when apparatus 210 is in its second orientation 216. Thus, communication apparatus 310 can be used as an envelope to send communication apparatus 210 to a recipient and communication apparatus 210 can be used as the envelope to send both communication apparatuses 210 and 310 to a third party for subsequent recycling or biodegrading.
Communication apparatus 410 is reconfigurable between a first orientation 414 (shown in
While various embodiments of the invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
The previous description of the embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
For example, a communication apparatus of the invention may include one or more substrates, the one or more substrates may have one or more panels, one or more fold lines (or no fold lines at all) and include one or more communication elements. Communication elements may be located on any side of any panel of the communication apparatus. The communication apparatus may be reconfigurable between a first orientation in which a first element of information is viewable by a recipient or other user and a second orientation in which a second element of information is viewable by the recipient or other user.
The communication apparatus can be in a variety of different forms such as a single planar sheet, a post card, a sheet of stationery, a greeting card, an invitation, an envelope, a catalog, a calendar, a magazine, a newspaper, a book and the like. The communication apparatus can also be used in conjunction with other communication apparatuses, such as an envelop used in conjunction with a greeting card. When two or more communication apparatuses are used in conjunction with each other, they may be the same material or different from each other. Thus, one or more of the apparatuses may be recyclable, biodegradable or both, depending on the particular material used for each.
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/270,824, entitled “Communication Apparatus and Method of Distribution of Same,” filed on Nov. 10, 2005, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/636,697 entitled “Communication Apparatus and Method of Distribution of Same,” filed on Dec. 17, 2004, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60636697 | Dec 2004 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11270824 | Nov 2005 | US |
| Child | 12436384 | US |
