Patent Application
20100230306
The present invention relates to packaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to a container with distribution of a promotional item and method thereof.
A manufacturer or vendor of a product who wishes to promote the sale of the vended product to a customer may distribute an additional item to the customer. When the additional item is attractive to the customer, the customer may decide to buy the vended product over a competing product in order to obtain the additional item. The additional item may be enclosed with or attached to the vended product. In other cases, the vended product may include a coupon or voucher for obtaining the additional item for free or at a reduced price.
In other cases, an advertiser or promoter of a promoted product or service may utilize the sale of a different vended product for promotional purposes. In order to promote the promoted product or service, a promotional item for advertising or promoting the promoted product or service may be included or associated with the vended product. For example, the promotional item may include advertising material for the promoted product or service, a coupon to encourage the purchase of the promoted product or service, or a sample of a promoted product.
Several methods are commonly used to deliver an additional item or a promotional item to a customer together with a vended product. For example, promotional material, or instructions or a coupon for obtaining the additional item, may be on packaging or a container containing the vended product. The promotional or additional item may be enclosed together with the vended product in a box, bag, can, or other package or container.
The additional or promotional item may include a data disc, such as a compact disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD). The disc may be enclosed with, or may be attached to a package or container containing, the vended product. Such a disc may include containing video, audio, text, or other digitized data. For example, the content of a promotional disc may include an advertisement, preview, review, sample, or demo of the promoted product or service, or instructions or software for obtaining the promoted product or service. A disc serving as an additional item for promoting the sale of the vended product may include video or audio entertainment programming, or a computer game or program.
However, when the additional or promotional item is a data disc, the disc may require protection from factors that may damage, or impair the use of, the disc. Potentially damaging factors may include, for example, bending stress, impact from being dropped or knocked, scratching, soiling, and discoloration.
Methods and devices for incorporating data discs into the packaging of a vended product have been described previously. For example, Huffman et al. in US 2005/0205437 describe a method and apparatus for holding a disc in an existing recess of a conventional container, such as the recess commonly found at the bottom of a paper or cardboard cup or round container. Such a method is limited to a container with an existing recess of suitable size and shape to accommodate the disc. Davis in US 2005/0139495 describes a compartment in a flat bottom portion of a plate or bowl. The compartment may be used to contain an article such as a disc or other flat object such as a photograph or coupon.
Placement of a disc in a cover or lid of a container or cup has been described previously, for example, by Nava et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,411), Schueler (DE 10042832), Chene (WO 9821491), Eghtedari et al. (GB 2442058), Weiss et al. (WO 2005/037672), Innis (U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,960), Peacock (WO 2008/068449), and Muraoka et al. (JP 2005/170436). Such placement of a disc is limited to products that are provided in containers with detachable, and preferably round, removable covers.
An example of a product into the packaging of which a disc may be incorporated is popcorn. Since popcorn is often associated with watching movies, Hsu (www.notsimplyyes.com/movie night.html, as it was available online on 18 Feb., 2009) proposes the sale of a movie disc and popcorn together in a sealed box. When the box is opened, a part of the box that contains the movie disc is separated from the other part of the box that contains popcorn ready for preparation in a microwave oven. Such a box may not be suitable for the vending of popcorn at outlets where the containers are commonly filled with popcorn prepared on site.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a container that may hold a data disc or other flat item, and that is fillable with a vended product. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for promoting a product or service by including a promotional or additional disc or other flat item in the container that is distributed to a customer together with the vended product.
Other aims and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after reading the present invention and reviewing the accompanying drawings.
There is thus provided, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a container for holding a product and a substantially flat item. The container includes one or more walls, with a substantially flat detachable portion. The detachable portion includes a first pocket wall and a second pocket wall substantially opposite the first pocket wall. The first pocket wall and the second pocket wall are attached to one another so as to form a pocket with a slot for inserting and removing the flat item.
Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the pocket is designed to hold a disc.
Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the container is designed to hold popcorn.
Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the detachable portion is detachable from the container along a perforation.
Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, one of the first and second pocket walls includes an opening
Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the opening includes a transparent window.
Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the container is assembled from a blank.
Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the first pocket wall is located at one end of the blank, and the second pocket wall is located at an opposite end of the blank.
Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, at least one of the pocket walls is a section of one of the walls of the container.
Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the container includes a cover for closing the slot.
There is further provided, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a promotional method for promoting a product or a service. The method includes providing a container with one or more walls and with a substantially flat detachable portion. The detachable portion includes a first pocket wall and a second pocket wall substantially opposite the first pocket wall. The first pocket wall and the second pocket wall are attached to one another so as to form a pocket with a slot for inserting and removing the flat item. The method further includes placing a promotional item in the pocket, placing a foodstuff in the container, and delivering the container to a recipient.
Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the promotional item includes a data disc.
Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the data disc includes data selected from a group of data types that includes movies, previews, and demo or full computer games.
Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the foodstuff includes popcorn.
Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the step of delivering the container to the recipient is performed at a cinema.
Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the method further includes closing the slot.
In order to better understand the present invention, and appreciate its practical applications, the following Figures are provided and referenced hereafter. It should be noted that the Figures are given as examples only and in no way limit the scope of the invention. Like components are denoted by like reference numerals.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, modules, units and/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention.
A container in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is designed to hold a vended product that is provided by a vendor to a customer. In addition, the container incorporates one or more pockets for holding one or more additional items that are provided to the customer together with the vended product. The flat item may be a disc, a photograph, coupon, or other any other substantially flat object whose dimensions are compatible with those of the pocket. The pocket is designed to hold the additional item separate from the vended product. For example, contact between the vended product and the additional item may be undesirable when such contact may enable the vended product to scratch, soil, discolor, or otherwise degrade the surface of the additional item. Such degradation may mar the esthetic qualities of the additional item, and may, such as when the additional item is a disc or similar object, impair the function of the additional item. Contact may also be undesirable, for example, when the vended product is a foodstuff. In this case, contact may be undesirable when the additional item may not have been manufactured and handled in a manner typical of the handling of foodstuffs and foodstuff packaging.
The container material is sufficiently strong to hold the vended product for which the container is intended, and to maintain its shape when filled. Suitable materials may include, for example, cardboard, stiff paper, or plastic. The material may be coated. For example, a porous material such as cardboard or paper may be coated with a material, such as plastic lamination, to make the material impervious to oil or other liquids. The container material may be disposable.
The pocket is detachable or separable from the remainder of the container. When detached from the remainder of the container, the pocket may serve as protective cover for protecting the additional item. For example, the sides of the pocket may be constructed out of laminated cardboard. A laminated cardboard pocket may help prevent bending or scratching of the item. Once the pocket is detached and the vended product is used up, the remainder of the container may be discarded.
The container includes a bottom wall and side walls for holding the vended product. At least one of the walls incorporates a pocket for holding a disc or other additional item. A pocket includes two pocket walls, an inner pocket wall and an outer pocket wall. The inner pocket wall separates a space inside of the pocket from the cavity of the container designed to contain the vended product. The space is confined by pocket seams (e.g. the inner and outer pocket walls are glued or otherwise attached along one or more seam lines) to ensure that the additional item stored in the pocket remains inside the pocket, with at least one slot or opening for inserting the item into and for removing the item from the pocket. The slot may be provided with a sealing flap that may be folded over the slot, or another type of cover, such as a tape or sticker. The cover may be closed, and possibly sealed, once the item has been placed into the pocket in order to protect the item or to prevent the item from falling out of the pocket. The outer pocket wall may include an opening or a transparent window through which part of the additional item may be viewed from the outside of the container. The pocket is detachable from the remainder of the container. For example, perforation may be provided along the edges of the pocket. Tearing along the perforation may separate the pocket from the remainder of the container. Alternatively, any other separation aid known in the art, such as, for example, a crease, a tear string, a tear strip, removable tape, adhesive, pin, or clip, or a visible indication of where to cut or tear, may be provided.
In addition to a bottom and walls, the container may be closed at the top, or may be provided with a built-in or separate cover. The container may include one or more built-in or attachable handles for carrying the container.
The vended product may be placed in the container by a vendor who prepares the vended product on site and sells or distributes it to customers. A common product sold or distributed in such a manner is popcorn. Other products similarly dispensed may include other types of snack food, or carry-out food such as French fries or salads. Common venues for such sales may include, for example, refreshment stands at cinemas or theaters, shows, sports events, parties, fairs or carnivals, shopping malls and centers, parks or zoos, fast-food restaurants, and street vendor stands, carts, or vehicles. Alternatively, the vended product may be prepackaged in the container, such as by a manufacturing or packing facility. In such a case, the container may be closed after being filled with the product. Such containers may be used for vending products such as, for example, gift packages containing several small items.
A promotion method, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, may utilize the sale or other distribution of a vended product, such as popcorn, in a container as described above. The promoter may provide a promotional item, such as a data disc (e.g. CD or DVD) to be included in the pocket of the container. The data disc may include promotional material for promoting the product or service. For example, the data disc may containing video or audio advertising material or catalogs, a preview, review, or sample of a movie, show, or album, or a full or demo version of a computer or video game or program (for personal computers, hand held devices, game consoles etc.), or music. Alternatively or in addition, other promotional material, such as printed advertising material or catalogs, discount or promotional coupons or tickets, or product samples, may be included in the pocket. The vendor or other distributor of the popcorn may deliver the popcorn to a customer or other recipient in the cavity of the container, together with the data disc in the pocket of the container. The vendor thus may assist in the promotion of the promoted product or service by distributing the data disc in the pocket of the container to a recipient of the vended product. The promoter may provide the containers containing the data disc to the popcorn vendor. Alternatively, the promoter may provide the data disc only.
Alternatively, a promotion method in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may employ a container as described above to promote sale of a vended product, such as popcorn, that is sold in the container. For example, a popcorn vendor may provide an additional item, such as a data disc, that may be attractive to a customer of the popcorn. For example, the data disc may include video or audio entertainment, including music, a full-length or short movie, or a computer game or program. The data disc may be inserted by the vendor into the pocket at the point of sale. Alternatively, the data disc may have been previously inserted in the pocket, either by the vendor, or by a provider of the containers. Alternatively or in addition, other items may be inserted into the pocket, for example, photographs, stickers, booklets, cards, coupons, tickets, or toys. A transparent window or opening in the pocket through which the data disc is visible to a potential customer may further promote the sale of the popcorn.
Reference is now made to the accompanying figures.
Front wall 14 of container 10 includes front container wall section 14a and front pocket wall 14b. Front pocket wall 14b is divided from front container wall section 14a, and from adjacent walls 12a and 12c, by perforated lines 15. The detachable pocket includes front pocket wall 14b and inner pocket wall 16. Inner pocket wall 16 may be attached to front pocket wall 14b along seams. The seams may be located within and adjacent to perforated lines 15. Thus, front pocket wall 14b and inner pocket wall 16 may remain attached to each other after separation from the remainder of container 10 along perforated lines 15. Front pocket wall 14b and inner pocket wall 16 thus form a detachable pocket that is open at pocket slot 22. Pocket slot 22 is of a suitable size and shape so as to hold a designated item. For example, pocket slot 22 may be suitable for holding a disc such as a CD or DVD. Front pocket wall 14b includes an opening 18. Opening 18 may be sufficiently large such that a label or a portion of an item held in pocket slot 22 may be visible from outside container 10. However, opening 18 is sufficiently small so as to hold the item within pocket slot 22. Alternatively or in addition, opening 18 may be covered with a transparent material, such as, for example, a transparent plastic foil, so as to form a window that may protect the item and hold it in place within pocket slot 22.
Bottom sections 28a-28d may each be folded inward along fold lines 21 and 19. Bottom sections 28a-28d may be shaped so as to interlock to form a bottom wall 28 (shown in
It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attached Figures set forth in this specification serves only for a better understanding of the invention, without limiting its scope.
It should also be clear that a person skilled in the art, after reading the present specification could make adjustments or amendments to the attached Figures and above described embodiments that would still be covered by the present invention.
