Patent Application
20090183406
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to advertising devices such as self-mailers, and more specifically, to a multi-panel fold-out device formed from a single blank, and to a method of assembling the display device.
2. Description of Prior Art
A multi-panel fold-out device can be used effectively by direct mailers to advertise and market products and services. If such a device can be made interactive with the user or recipient, the device would be more effective. It would also be advantageous for such an interactive multi-panel device to have multiple panels that are capable of easily being folded out in sequence, and to have portions that can readily be torn off or otherwise separated therefrom. Further, important advantages would accrue if the device could be made from a single blank and could be assembled in a simple and inexpensive manner.
In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there are provided (i) a blank for a multi-panel fold-out device, and (ii) a method for assembling the blank into the device, that afford important advantages over the prior art. In this regard, some important advantages are that the blank, and device made from the blank, are simple and inexpensive to make, and the method of assembly of the device from the blank lends itself to automatic processing, with the attendant benefits of such processing. The device made from the blank enables interactivity with a user and serves as, as will appear, an effective advertisement tool.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a blank for a multi-panel fold-out display device that includes: at least a first, second, and third panels joined together in sequence, and formed by at least a first separation line between the first and second panels and a second separation line between the second and third panels, the first panel having a first internal panel portion including a first score line adjacent to an outer edge of the first panel, the first internal panel being releasably secured to the first panel such that the first internal panel portion can be pivoted around the score line relative to the first panel, the second panel having a second internal panel portion including a second score line adjacent to one edge of the second panel, the second internal panel portion being releasably secured to the second panel such that the second internal panel portion can be pivoted about the second score line relative to the second panel, the first panel being foldable over along the first separation line such that the first panel can be secured to the second panel, and the first and second panels, when secured together, being foldable under along the second separation line, so that the first and second panels can be secured to said the panel, and the first and second internal panel portions being of different sizes.
One important implementation of this aspect of the invention, the blank includes a fourth panel joined together in sequence with the first, second, and third panels, and formed by a third separation line between the third and fourth panels, the third panel including a third internal panel portion including a third score line adjacent to one edge of the third panel, the third internal panel portion being releasably secured to the third panel such that the third internal panel portion can be pivoted about the third score line relative to the third panel, the first, second, and third panels, when secured together, being foldable over along the third separation line, so that the first, second, and third panels can be secured to the fourth panel, and the first, second, and third internal panel portions being of different sizes.
According to another important implementation of this aspect of the invention, the blank includes a fifth panel joined together in sequence with the first, second, third, and fourth panels, and formed by a fourth separation line between the fourth and fifth panels, the fourth panel including a fourth internal panel portion including a fourth score line adjacent to one edge of the fourth panel, the fourth internal panel portion being releasably secured to the fourth panel such that the fourth internal panel portion can be pivoted about the fourth score line relative to the fourth panel, the first, second, third, and fourth panels, when secured together, being foldable over along the fourth separation line, so that the first, second, third, and fourth panels can be secured to the fifth panel, and the first, second, third, and fourth internal panel portions being of different sizes.
In one embodiment, the blank includes microperforations around a perimeter of the internal panel portions for easy removal. Preferably the panels of the blank also include a cutout to facilitate a fold out of the internal panel portions. Advantageously, the internal panel portions are secured to their corresponding panels by at least one microconnector.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of constructing a multi-panel display device from a blank which includes: providing a planar blank, providing separation lines in the blank so as to separate the blank into at least three panels, one of the panels forming a backing panel, forming an internal panel portion with a surrounding panel portion in at least two of the panels using a die cutting operation wherein, for each internal panel portion, one edge thereof is connected to the surrounding panel portion of a corresponding panel by a fold line and remaining edges are releasably secured to the surrounding panel portion, the internal panel portions of the at least two of said panels being of different sizes, applying adhesive to selected portions of at least three of said panels so as to enable at least three of said panels to be joined together, and automatically folding at least three of said panels along said lines of separation so that the adhesive applied to at least three of said panels joins at least three of said panels together, and such that at least two of said panels are secured one on top of the other to the backing panel and the internal panel portions of each of at least two of said panels can be released from the corresponding panels and folded outwardly from the corresponding surrounding panel portions in sequence.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of assembling a multi-panel fold-out display device from a blank, the method comprising the steps of: providing the blank comprising at least first, second and third panels joined together in sequence and formed by at least a first separation line between said first and second panels and a second separation line between said second and third panels, said first panel including a first internal panel portion including a first score line adjacent to an outer edge of said first panel, said first internal panel portion being releasably secured to said first panel such that said first internal panel portion can be pivoted around said first score line relative to said first panel, said second panel having a second internal panel portion including a second score line adjacent to one edge of said second panel, said second internal panel portion being releasably secured to said second panel such that said second internal panel portion can be pivoted about said second score line, and the first and second internal panel portions being of different sizes; folding said first panel over said first separation line onto said second panel and securing said first panel to said second panel along at least one adhesive deposit; and after securing said first panel to said second panel, folding said first and second panels along said second separation line onto said third panel and securing said first and second panels to said third panel along at least one further adhesive deposit.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in, or apparent from, the detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof which follows.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
a-3c are a series of side elevational views, illustrating subsequential steps in the assembly of the blank of
a-4d are a series of top plan views of the multi-panel fold-out display device of
Referring to
The blank 10 is made of paper, cardboard, paperboard, or laminates of the same, and is hereinafter referred to as being made of paperboard.
The end panels 12 and 14, which form the outside or cover panels in the assembled device, are generally rectangular in shape and include score lines or lines of weakness 20 and 22. End panel 14 serves as a backing panel. The end panels 12 and 14 are joined to respective intermediate panels 16 and 18 by the respective score lines 20 and 22. It is noted that because of the thickness of the paperboard used in this embodiment, the use of a score line, wherein a line is cut into the paperboard to form a foldable hinge, is preferred, although different fold lines can be employed depending on the application, the type of paper used, the paper thickness, and the like. A reversed score line or microperforated line 24 joins (i.e., separates) panels 16 and 18. Score line 24 is intended to ultimately form a separation line between panels 16 and 18, i.e., a line along which panels 16 and 18 may be separated.
The first end panel 12 includes a rectangular inner or internal panel portion 12a, i.e., a panel or portion that is surrounded on four sides by the remainder of the panel 12, and a semi-circular cutout 12b. The internal panel portion 12a includes a reversed score line or microperforated line 12c located adjacent to and parallel with the outer top edge 13a of the end panel 12 to allow the internal panel portion 12a to be folded out or pivoted around the score line 12c once the device is assembled from the blank 10. Further, at least one small connector element or microperforated portion 12d is provided between adjacent parts of the other three sides of the first end panel 12 and the internal panel portion 12a, (also referred to as a panel attachment microconnector), so that the internal panel portion 12a is releasably attached or secured to the first end panel 12. The microperforated portions 12d preferably comprise a series of very small connecting elements or microconnectors made of the paperboard that releasably secure one section of the paperboard with another adjacent section of the paperboard. In this specific embodiment, a very small connecting element or microconnector 12d is provided on either side of the cutout 12b and on the left and right sides of the internal panel portion 12a. The microconnectors 12d releasably secure the internal panel portion 12a to the first end panel 12.
The first intermediate panel 16 includes a rectangular internal panel portion 16a and a triangular cutout 16b. The internal panel portion 16a has a score line 16c adjacent to and parallel with the left edge 13b of the panel 16. Further, at least one microperforated portion 16d similar to that described above is provided between the first intermediate panel 16 and the internal panel portion 16a, with each portion 12d comprising at least one panel attachment element or microconnector, so that the internal panel portion 16a is releasably secured or attached to the first intermediate panel 16. Elongate glue deposits or lines 16e and 16f of a suitable glue or other adhesive extend along and are spaced laterally from the internal panel portion 16a on opposite sides thereof, and two further adhesive spots 16g and 16h, made of a similar glue or other adhesive, are provided at opposite ends of the internal panel portion 16a.
The second intermediate panel 18 also includes a rectangular internal panel portion 18a and a triangular cutout 18b. The internal panel portion 18a has a reversed score line or microperforated line 18c adjacent to and parallel with the outer edge 13c of the panel 18. Further, at least one microperforated portion 18d is provided between the second intermediate panel 18 and the internal panel portion 18a, with each portion 16d comprising at least one panel attachment element or microconnector, so that the internal panel portion 18a is releasably secured or attached to the second intermediate panel 18. Elongate glue deposits 18e and 18f extend along and are spaced laterally from the internal panel portion 18a on opposite sides thereof, and two further adhesive spots 18g and 18h are provided at opposite ends of the internal panel portion 18a.
It is important to note that the internal panel portion 18a of second intermediate panel 18 is smaller than the internal panel portion 16a of the first intermediate panel 16, and that the latter is smaller than the internal panel portion 12a of the first end panel 12. In this manner, once the multi-panel fold-out display device is assembled, the internal panel portion 12a can be folded outwardly, then the first internal panel portion 16a can be folded outwardly, and thereafter the internal panel portion 18a can be folded outwardly, all without any of the panel portions 12a, 16a, 18a obstructing each other. Further, it will be understood that the internal panel portion 12a, 16a, and 18a are not limited to rectangular shapes.
As described above, and as can be seen in
a-3c show two steps in the assembly of the exemplary blank 10 into the multi-panel fold-out display device. Initially, the first and second end panels 12 and 14 are folded over, along respective score lines 20 and 22 on top of intermediate panels 16 and 18. In this step, the end panel 12 is glued to the adjacent intermediate panel 16 such that elongate glue deposit 12m is on or adjacent elongate glue deposit 16n, elongate glue deposit 12n is on or adjacent elongate glue deposit 16m, while adhesive spot 12o is on or adjacent adhesive spot 16o, and adhesive spot 12p is on or adjacent adhesive spot 16p. Similarly, the end panel 14 is glued to adjacent intermediate panel 18 such that elongate glue deposit 14m is on or adjacent elongate glue deposit 18n, elongate glue deposit 14n is on or adjacent elongate glue deposit 18m, while adhesive spot 14o is on or adjacent adhesive spot 18o, and adhesive spot 14p is on or adjacent adhesive spot 18p.
The next step involves folding over the glued intermediate panels 16 and 18 along score line 24 such that the end panels 12 and 14 are on the exterior while the intermediate panels 16 and 18 are sandwiched inside the end panels 12 and 14. In this step, the panel 16 is glued to panel 18 such that elongate glue deposit 16e is on or adjacent elongate glue deposit 18f, elongate glue deposit 16f is on or adjacent elongate glue deposit 18e, while adhesive spot 16g is on or adjacent adhesive spot 18g, and adhesive spot 16h is on or adjacent adhesive spot 18h.
It should be noted that the order of the steps of assembly is illustrative and represents one method of assembly. Other methods of assembly may be employed and some other methods are considered below.
a-4d show the assembled multi-panel fold-out display device in use. In this embodiment, once assembled, the panels 12, 16, and 18 are secured or joined together to the backing panel 14. Also, the internal panel portions 12a, 16a, and 18a are releasably connected to panels 12, 16, and 18 with easily removable or releasable microconnectors 12d, 16d, and 18d, so that the panel portions 12a, 16a, and 18a fold outwardly. The panels 12, 14, 16, and 18 and the panel portions 12a, 16a, and 18a can include information such as advertising copy or photographs. The cutouts 12b, 16b, and 18b facilitate a fold out of the corresponding inner panel portions 12a, 16a, and 18a in sequence.
In the embodiment illustrated, a “tri-panel” fold-out device is provided, i.e., a device wherein three integral panel portions 12a, 16a and 18a fold out. By providing that the internal panel portion 12a, 16a, and 18a fold outwardly from the corresponding surrounding panels 12, 16, and 18, there is interaction between the multi-panel fold-out device and the user. For example, each of the internal panel portions can contain related information, and the information can be such that the message delivered thereby builds as the panels fold out in sequence.
In an important embodiment, internal panel portions 12a, 16a, or 18a have microperforations around the entire perimeter of each respective panel portions 12a, 16a, and 18a, i.e., in place of the score lines for enabling folding out of the respective panel portion, so that any or all of the internal panel portion 12a, 16a, or 18a can be easily removed. In this way, the internal panel portions can serve as reply cards and/or coupons. Because the internal panel portion 12a, 16a, and 18a are secured in place with microconnectors 12d, 16d, and 18d, the assembled device can also be used, for example, in an instant win sweepstakes game, wherein, for example, a winning number is provided on the innermost inner panel portion and the other panel portions contain advertisements that are presented prior to reaching the innermost panel portion. In addition, the multi-panel fold-out device can be used as a self-mailer wherein the multiple internal panel portions 12a, 16a and 18a contain advertising, photographs, or the like or function as reply cards, coupons, sweepstakes, tickets, or the like with which a user can interact. To this end, one of the end panels 12 or 14 can have a prescribed location at which address information and postage can be placed or entered.
It should be noted that for each of the panel constructions described above, a method of assembly can be used wherein the end panels and the intermediate panels are folded and glued in an accordion manner such that the front of an end panel is folded over and secured or joined with adhesive to the front of the adjacent intermediate panel, followed by having the rear of that intermediate panel folded under and secured or joined with adhesive to the rear of the adjacent panel. The folding and securing or joining process, which is preferably carried out automatically, is repeated in a similar over/under manner until all the panels are folded and secured together or joined.
It will be understood from the foregoing that the multi-panel fold-out display device is not limited to construction employing the two end panels and two intermediate panels discussed above. For example, in another embodiment a multi-panel fold-out display device design having two end panels and one intermediate panel is provided (which can be referred to as a bi-panel fold-out display device), while in another embodiment, a multi-panel fold-out design having two end panels and three intermediate panels is provided (which is referred to herein as a quad-panel fold-out display device). For a display device with two end panels and one intermediate panel, the first end and intermediate panels are similar to those of the tri-panel display device described above. The other end or backing panel would correspond to the second intermediate panel described above. For a bi-panel fold-out display device, the first end and intermediate panels would have internal panel portions that fold outwardly and, in some embodiments, are removable.
For a multi-panel fold-out display device having two end panels and three intermediate panels (the so-called quad-panel fold-out display device), the basic construction is the same. In this embodiment, the backing or end panel for the tri-panel display device described above is the third intermediate panel, as is further described below in connection with
Turning now to
The end panels 112 and 114 are joined to respective intermediate panels 116 and 118 by respective reverse score line or microperforated line 120 and score line 122. Intermediate panels 116 and 118 are joined to intermediate panel 119 by score line 124 and reversed score line 125, respectively. As discussed above, a score line is preferred to form a foldable hinge, although different fold lines can be used as well.
The first end panel 112 includes a rectangular internal panel portion 112a, i.e., a panel or portion that is surrounded on four sides by the remainder of the panel 112, and a semi-circular cutout 112b. The internal panel portion 112a includes a score line 112c located adjacent to and parallel with the outer top edge 113a of the end panel 112 to allow the internal panel portion 112a to be folded out or pivoted around the score line 112c once the device is assembled from the blank 110. Further, at least one microperforated small connector element or portion (also referred to as a panel attachment microconnector) is provided between the first end panel 112 and the internal panel portion 112a, so that the internal panel portion 112a is releasably attached or secured to the first end panel 112. In this specific embodiment, there is a microconnector 112d on either side of the cut out 112b and on the left and right sides of the internal panel portion 112a to releasably secure the internal panel portion 112a to the first end panel 112.
The first intermediate panel 116 includes a rectangular internal panel portion 116a and a semi-circular cutout 116b. The internal panel portion 116a has a reversed score line 116c adjacent to and parallel with the outer top edge or score line 120 of the panel 116. Further, there is at least one microperforated portion 116d, similar to that described above between the first intermediate panel 116 and the internal panel portion 116a, with each portion 116d forming at least one panel attachment element or microconnector, so that the internal panel portion 116a is releasably secured or attached to the first intermediate panel 116. The adhesive deposits (i.e., elongate glue deposits or lines and adhesive spots) shown in
The second intermediate panel 118 includes a rectangular internal panel portion 118a and a triangular cutout 118b. The rectangular internal panel portion 118a has a reversed score line or microperforated line 118c adjacent to and parallel with the outer right edge 113b of the panel 118. Further, there is at least one microperforated portion 118d between the second intermediate panel 118 and the rectangular internal panel portion 118a, with each portion 118d forming at least one panel attachment element or microconnector, so that the rectangular internal panel portion 118a is releasably secured or attached to the second intermediate panel 118. Similar adhesive deposits as discussed above would be used.
The third intermediate panel 119 is located between the first and second intermediate panels 116 and 118 and includes a rectangular internal panel portion 119a and a triangular cutout 119b. The internal panel portion 119a has a score line 119c adjacent to and parallel with the outer left edge 119c of the panel 119. Further, there is at least one microperforated portion 119d between the third intermediate panel 118 and the internal panel portion 119a, with each portion 119d forming a panel attachment element or microconnector so that the internal panel portion 119a is releasably secured or attached to the third intermediate panel 119. Similar adhesive deposits as discussed above would be used.
Similarly to what was described above with respect to
As above, the internal panel portions 112a, 116a, 119a, and 118a are not limited to rectangular shapes. In addition, each of the internal panel portion 112a, 116a, 119a, and 118a can have a plurality of microperforations placed around the full perimeter of each respective panel portions 112a, 116a, 119a, and 118a, in place of having score lines, so that any or all of the internal panel portions 112a, 116a, 119a, and 118a can be completely removed from the remainder of the device.
The quad-panel fold-out display device is assembled in an accordion style as was discussed above with respect to the tri-panel fold-out display device. More specifically, the first end panel 112 is initially folded over along line 120 and secured to the first intermediate panel 116. Next, the combined panels 112 and 116 are folded under along line 124 and secured to the third intermediate panel 119. Then, the combined panels 112, 116, and 119 are folded over along line 125 and secured to the second intermediate panel 118. Lastly, the combined panels 112, 116, 119, 118 are folded under along line 122 and secured to the second end panel 114.
It will, of course, be appreciated that the same uses described above for the quad-panel and bi-panel fold-out display devices can be put to the tri-panel fold-out display device and that even more panels can be provided as described.
Although the invention has been described above in relation to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be effected in these exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
