Patent Application
20120267266
The present invention relates to a blank for forming a care to hold a multi-media storage device, such as a USB flash drive, and for providing a detachable business card.
The ability to effectively market a business or an individual has seen a variety of types of marketing media throughout the years. Still commonly used today are business cards combined with printed brochures. Since these are easy to hand out and distribute, especially at trade shows, at the businesses on-site, and easy to carry and transport. One of many associated problems with this combined marketing strategy is the mere fact that marketing brochures can be cumbersome or more importantly antiquity in the material contained therein. As businesses develop and grow the information about the business changes, sometimes daily. Each change may or should require a change in the marketing or brochure information. Similarly, with on-line marketing capabilities, a printed brochure is extremely static, and the business losses the opportunity sometimes to creatively provide information. It is often more effective to provide the marketing material electronically. While others have attempted to combine electronic media with business cards, these have fallen short in their effectiveness. There is thus a need to provide for an easier way to manufacture and supply a marketing tool that combines aids in combining a business card or informational card with a multi-media device in a single easy package. The multi-media device could have the electronic media preloaded, such that the end-user simply has to plug or load the multi-media device into a computer. This combined marketing material is extremely small and light weight, such that the end user is not faced with having to carry around bulky brochure. Similarly, the end user does not have the problem of misplacing the business card.
Due to the problems and issues addressed herein, there is a great need to improve upon them.
This invention is a novel and innovative method of creating a holder for a card and a multi-media device. The card can be a business card or other index type card having printed material. The multi-media device can be any type of portable device such as but not limited to a USB flash drive, mini-disk, memory card, SD Card, Compact Flash, Smart Media Card, Memory Stick, SIM card, Mini SD Card, and the like. The holder is preferably manufactured from a single unitary blank material, such as cardboard or other similar material or design. The card is attached to the holder by a living perforated hinge that permits the card to be removable at any time. The multi-media device is also removable and secured to the holder by any well know means.
The holder in one embodiment includes first and second panels with first and second side panels. The first panel connects to the card panel by the detachable living hinge, while the second panel connects to the first panel by the first side panel. The second panel also has the means for securing a multi-media device thereto. The second side panel connects to the second panel and the second side panel is positioned at an end diametrically opposed to the first side panel. The card panel, first panel, second panel, first side panel, and the second side panel all share a pair of opposed parallel edges that are at right angles to the connections between each other.
In another embodiment, the holder includes first and second side panels and a first panel. The first and second side panels are separately secured to the card panel about one of the card panel edges. Each side panel is secured to the card panel by a detachable living hinge such that the card panel is removable from the side panels and such that the first and second side panels can be folded at an angle from the card panel. The first panel connects to the first side panel by a first living hinge such that the first panel can be folded from the first side panel and positioned over the card panel to create a interior region therebetween. The first panel further includes a slot adjacent a free edge defined opposite the first living hinge and the first panel further includes a means for securing a multi-media device thereto. An end flap is also provided and has. The end flap connects to the second side panel by a second living hinge such that the end flap can be folded from the second side panel and positioned against the first panel wherein the tab is aligned to insert into the slot. Thus when the first and second panels are folded into a position such that the tab is aligned and inserted into the slot the holder is configured into a closed configuration.
A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention and/or the embodiments illustrated.
Referring now to
The card panel 105 is preferable detachable from the first panel 110 by a perforated edge 165, however, other means of separation may be employed. The multi-media storage device 170 is easily removably attached to the second panel. This can be accomplished by using a means for attaching 175, such as, hook and loop systems, Velcro, adhesives, glues, epoxy, etc.
The combined holder is manufactured from a single blank, such as a cardboard or similar paper bound material. The multi-media storage device 170 can be a mini disk or USB flash drive device or similar.
The combined holder 100 when assembled can be handed out to individuals and will provide a business or index card with printed matter that can be easily removed from the combined holder 100. When opened, the combined holder 100 will also provide a easily removably multi-media device 170 then can have pre-loaded material thereon.
Referring now to
Connected to the first side panel 310 is a second panel 320 which accommodates the multi-media storage device 370. The multi-media storage device 370 is removably attached to the second panel, by a means for attaching 375, such as, hook and loop systems, Velcro, adhesives, glues, epoxy, etc. The second panel 320 further includes a slot 325 positioned adjacent its free edge 330.
Connected to the second side panel 315 is an end flap 335 that includes a tab 340 grooved from a center region of the end flap 335. The tab 340 inserts into the slot 325 to keep the combined holder 300 in a closed configuration 400. In its closed configuration 400, the end flap 335 is folded be lie against an inside surface of the second panel 320.
The combined holder 300 is manufactured from a single blank, such as a cardboard or similar paper bound material.
It should be further stated the specific information shown in the drawings but not specifically mentioned above may be ascertained and read into the specification by virtue of a simple study of the drawings. Moreover, the invention is also not necessarily limited by the drawings or the specification as structural and functional equivalents may be contemplated and incorporated into the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific methods and apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
