Patent Application
20180130163
The present invention relates to a system and method for providing information in and on cases of bags, on the bags themselves, and for distributing cases of bags and for tracking the sales movement of products or services promoted on the bags. The invention further relates to distributing other packaging items.
In the past, retailers, service providers and/or associations (collectively “bag customers”) purchased or received printed or unprinted bags from a wholesaler, distributor, advertiser, and/or third party (collectively “sourcing companies”) or a bag manufacturer to give to their customers to use for purchases. A bag customer would either buy cases of bags at full price or at a promotional price from a sourcing company or a bag manufacturer, either of whom would sometimes provide cases of bags to bag customers at a subsidized cost if the bags featured product or services advertising.
In some cases, retailers would purchase printed bags promoting the name of a chain, cooperative or wholesaler's private label. In some cases, service providers would purchase bags promoting the name of a government agency or hospital. In some cases, associations would purchase bags promoting the name of an association.
In other cases, retailers would advertise their establishment by purchasing printed bags customized with their store logo and contact information (e.g. store name and address).
In still other cases, retailers would purchase printed bags promoting both the name of a chain, cooperative or wholesaler's private label, as well as the name of the retailer's store, store logo and contact information.
In still other cases, retailers would use printed bags provided to them at minimal cost or at no charge by companies advertising products or services.
In all of these cases, measuring the advertising's effectiveness on sales of the product or service proved difficult. The most common way sourcing companies and bag manufacturers could measure the effectiveness of the program was by, for example, examining same store sales of the product before and after the stores used the bags that had product or service advertising.
In addition, no system existed to ensure that every targeted bag customer received a case of bags within a desired date window, or that they even received the case of bags at all. Furthermore, no system existed to encourage the bag customer to keep a case of distributed bags that they may have received but may not have otherwise ordered.
US Patent Publication No. 2009/0198576 relates to a system and method for brand promotion. Embodiments include providing a game, and including a puzzle for the promotion.
US Patent Publication No. 2007/0267319 relates to a plastic bag pad comprising one or more plastic bags including detachable sections wherein the bags are connected to a plastic header. A portion of each bag may be removed from the header by ripping along a perforated line. The detachable section of each bag may include a coupon or sample, and each bag may include an advertisement or name.
US Patent Publication No. 2006/0110719 relates to educational tools and methods for teaching individuals about the enhanced performance characteristics of textile products.
US Patent Publication No. 2005/0006404 relates to a method and apparatus for promoting hand hygiene based on packaging that provides timely access to and use of hand sanitizing fluids. Distribution of the packets is encouraged by the use of lottery and gaming techniques that heighten the opportunity of using a hand sanitizing fluid.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,369 relates to equipment and methods for entering and conducting a prize drawing game of chance, some of which do not require a participant to make a purchase to enter. Entry forms are provided which depict and advertise the product that the game promotes and includes spaces for the entrant to write self-identifying information. The entry forms also include a barcode that identifies the product being promoted. The barcode facilitates automated sorting of entry forms, each promoting a different product. The hand written UPC number requirement gives consumers an incentive to seek out, view and handle the product which is the subject of the promotion.
US Patent Publication No. 2009/0049720 relates to a method for conducting marketing/advertising campaign using lunch bags. The method includes determining at least one product or service to be advertised, determining graphic matter placed on at least one face of the lunch bag, placing the graphic matter onto the face of the lunch bag, identifying targeted users of the advertised product or service and providing the lunch bag to targeted users.
The present invention relates to a bag marketing program. It is an object of the present invention to print a sourcing company's private label brand logo or other pertinent information on one side of the bag and a sourcing company's product or service or other information on the other side of the bag.
It is an object of the present invention to print the product or services advertising or other information on one or both sides of the bag, without the sourcing company's logo.
It is an object of the present invention to print a phone number, web site URL, links to social media (e.g. hash tag) or QR code on the bag to track effectiveness of the advertisement.
It is an object of the present invention to print a coupon on the bag that is related to the product or services advertising. It is an object of the present invention for the coupon to have a unique bar code that assists in specifically measuring coupon redemption tied to a specific promotion. It is an object of the present invention for the bag manufacturer to attach a coupon to each bag, such as a peel off coupon. It is an object of the present invention to print a unique bar code on each peel-off coupon that assists in specifically measuring coupon redemption tied to a specific promotion.
It is an object of the present invention to place graphic matter or information on at least one side of the bag. It is an object of the present invention to identify targeted users of the advertised product or service and deliver the bags to bag customers who can provide the bags to the targeted users.
It is an object of the present invention for the information that is placed on at least one side of the bag to comprise providing a game, puzzle or contest relating to the advertised product or service or company marketing the advertised product or service.
It is an object of the present invention when printing on both sides of the bag, for the bag manufacturer to move the seam of the bag to a corner of the bag so that it doesn't interfere with printing on either side of the bag.
It is an object of the present invention to insert marketing collateral in each case of bags that educates the bag customer about the product or service advertised on the bag. It is an object of the present invention to prepare an accompanying letter that is inserted in the case of bags. It is an object of the present invention for the sourcing company or bag manufacturer to determine the content of the collateral or letter that is inserted into the case of bags. It is an object of the present invention to obtain the sourcing company's approval for the marketing collateral and/or letter before the bag manufacturer inserts either in the case.
It is an object of the present invention for the bag customer or bag manufacturer to insert a coupon in each bag.
It is an object of the present invention for the bag manufacturer to insert coupons in each case of bags; for example, to insert 1,000 coupons in a case of 1,000 bags. It is an object of the present invention for the bag customer to distribute coupons to the targeted user by inserting a coupon in a bag before giving a bag to a targeted user. It is an object of the present invention for the bag customer to staple or otherwise attach a coupon to each bag before giving a bag to a targeted user. It is an object of the present invention for the bag customer to individually hand out coupons to the targeted user. It is an object of the present invention for the bag customer to make coupons available to the targeted user so the targeted user can take coupons (e.g. from a pile on a shelf or countertop) himself or herself.
It is an object of the present invention to package the bags together in a case.
It is an object of the present invention to place a sticker on the outside of each case explaining the free nature of the case of bags. The sticker might simply say “Free Case of Bags” or the sticker might explain that the case of bags comes courtesy of the sourcing company. Putting the sticker on the case of bags encourages the bag customer to keep the case of bags, even though the bag customer may or may not have ordered the bags.
It is an object of the present invention for the bag manufacturer to place a sticker on the outside of each case explaining what else the case of bags contains other than the bags. For example, the sticker might say “Valuable Coupons Enclosed” or “Important Marketing Material enclosed”.
It is an object of the present invention not to include a return address on the case label to make it more difficult for the bag customer to return a case of bags that they did not order. This technique assures maximum distribution of the cases of bags and reduces potential case returns.
It is an object of the present invention for the bag manufacturer to affix a separate mailing label to the outside of each case of bags and to mall each case of bags directly to the bag customer. This way, the sourcing company does not have to receive the cases of bags into inventory before re-distributing the cases of bags.
It is an object of the present invention for the bag manufacturer to affix a product description label to the outside of each case, detailing specifics such as item number, product description, case pack, bag size and case bar code.
It is an object of the present invention for the sourcing company to provide a targeted mailing distribution list of bag customers to the bag manufacturer.
It is an object of the present invention for the sourcing company to build a targeted mailing distribution list of bag customers, summarize that list by distribution center or destination point, and provide that list to the bag manufacturer.
It is an object of the present invention for the targeted list of bag customers to be based on promotional or sales objectives established for a particular product or service. For example, if the sourcing company wants to reach diabetic patients who use glucometers to measure their blood sugar levels, the sourcing company may include on the targeted distribution list bag customers who sell or promote diabetes products.
It is an object of the present invention for bag customers who do not want bags with advertising to pay a higher or different price for a case of bags than those bag customers who do accept advertising on the bags.
It is an object of the present invention for the advertising to relate to what the sourcing company is focused on selling. It is an object of the present invention for the advertising to relate to where the bag customer is located. It is an object of the present invention for the advertising to change often (e.g. weekly or monthly).
It is an object of the present invention to tie advertising to specific seasons or times of the year. For example, advertise cough and cold products on a bag that has a Fall design.
It is an object of the present invention for the bags to be distributed to a veterinarian's office. For example, the information on the bag can pertain to prevention of cruelty to animals.
It is an object of the present invention for the bags to be distributed to a physician's office. For example, the information on the bag can pertain to immunizations.
It is an object of the present invention for the bags to be distributed to a hospital. For example, the information on the bag to pertain to sleep disorder, maternity wards, or cancer clinics.
It is an object of the present invention to tie advertising to specific disease states. For example, advertise glucometers on a bag promoting Diabetes Awareness.
It is an object of the present invention for the bag manufacturer, sourcing company, or bag customer to donate a portion of the bag case sales to charitable organizations or associations. For example, the bag manufacturer could make a donation to support research to find a cure for different disease states, or to fund a home for rescue animals. It is an object of the present invention for the bag manufacturer to print messaging on the bag that states who (I.e. the sourcing company, bag customer or bag manufacturer) made such a donation.
The seasonal and awareness bags and other types of bags with advertising may or may not have coupons associated with the bags.
It is an object of the present invention for the bag manufacturer to print messaging on the bag to raise awareness levels of different causes and the charitable organizations or associations that support those causes.
It is an object of the present invention to conduct a marketing/advertising campaign using a bag that is distributed to bag customers comprising: placing information and/or coupons on the bag for at least one product or service to be advertised.
It s an object of the present invention for the bag manufacturer to ship cases of bags directly to the sourcing company so that each can then re-distribute the cases of bags directly to the bag customer.
It is an object of the present invention for the bag manufacturer to ship cases of bags directly to the bag customer.
It is an object of the present invention for a coupon redemption clearinghouse or sourcing company to process the coupons submitted by the bag customer.
The present invention relates to a system for a bag marketing program. With regards to the system of the present invention, information is input into the system with regards to a sourcing company's private label brand logo or other pertinent information which is to be later placed on and/or in the bag. The system is a computer system/cloud, or similar system and the information is stored in a database. It is an object of the present invention for the system to store the logo or other pertinent information that will be printed on either one or both sides of the bag. It is an object of the present invention for the system to direct the printing on the bag.
It is an object of the present invention for the system to store information that is placed on the either side of the bag to comprise providing a game, puzzle or contest relating to the advertised product or service or company marketing the advertised product or service.
It is an object of the present invention for the system to store marketing collateral from the sourcing company which can be printed out and inserted into each of the cases of bags.
It is an object of the present invention for the system to receive information regarding addresses and other information so that a mailing label can be affixed to the outside of each case of bags and to mail each case of bags directly to the bag customer. It is an object of the present invention for the sourcing company to provide a targeted mailing list to the system. This way, the sourcing company does not have to receive the cases of bags into inventory before re-distributing the cases of bags.
It is an object of the present invention to send the cases of bags directly to the sourcing company for the sourcing company to send the cases of bags out directly to the Bag Customer.
It is an object of the present invention for the system to maintain the mailing list that confirms that the cases were delivered.
It is an object of the present invention for the system to receive information regarding a product description, so that the bag manufacturer can affix a product description label to the outside of each case, detailing specifics such as item number, product description, case pack, bag size and case bar code.
It is an object of the present invention for the system to receive sourcing company approval before providing any marketing collateral or letter in the cases of bags.
It is an object of the present invention for the system to have input in it information regarding the free nature of each case of bags which can then be printed on a sticker and placed on the outside of each case containing the bags.
It is an object of the present invention for the system to store information with regards to a sticker that is placed on the outside of each case explaining what else the case of bags contains other than the bags. For example, the sticker might say “Valuable Coupons Enclosed” or “Important Marketing Material enclosed”.
It is an object of the present invention for the system to be provided or for the system to be able to search the Internet or a company's database server so that it downloads a targeted distribution list based on promotional or sales objectives established for a particular product or service.
It is an object of the present invention for the bag manufacturer, sourcing company, or bag customer to donate a portion of the bag case sales to charitable organizations or associations. For example, the bag manufacturer could make a donation to support research to find a cure for different disease states, or to fund a home for rescue animals. It is an object of the present invention for the system to store information for printing a message on the bag that states who (i.e. the sourcing company, bag customer or bag manufacturer) made such a donation.
It is an object of the present invention for the system to store phone numbers, website addresses/URL, links to social media or QR codes which are then placed on the bags to track effectiveness of each advertisement.
It is an object of the present invention for the system to provide or print coupons which are either inserted in a case that contains the bags, or inserted into the bags by the bag manufacturer or bag customer. It is an object of the present invention for the system to provide the information so that coupons are printed directly on the bag, or attach coupons to the bag so that the coupon can be removed off each bag, such as peeling a coupon off the bag.
It is an object of the present invention for each coupon to have a unique barcode placed on it by the system of the present invention that assists in specifically measuring coupon redemption tied to a specific promotion.
It is an object of the present invention for the system to base the advertising on where the bag customer is located, or the type of products or services that the bag customer is offering.
It is an object of the present invention for the system to change the advertising printed on a bag for a specific bag customer on a weekly, monthly or seasonal period.
It is an object of the present invention for the system to calculate which advertisements on the bags are the most successful and to continue presenting those advertisements on the bags in the correct time periods for that success.
It is an object of the present invention for the system to store information regarding how many coupons were distributed, how many were redeemed, where the coupons were redeemed, date of redemption, and what was the total dollar amount of redemption. It is an object of the present invention to compare dollar amount of the redemption with the purchase price of the product or service.
It is an object of the present invention to package bags with coupons in small case quantities. It is an object of the present invention to package bags with coupons in a device other than a traditional case or bundle, by for example, banding bags together with a rubber band or paper band or some other type of strapping. It is an object of the present invention to use shrink wrap to protect the bags that have coupons. It is an object of the present invention to shrink-wrap the bundle of bags that has coupons. It is an object of the present invention to wrap a sell sheet or advertising circular around the bags.
It is an object of the present invention to put bundles of bags or smaller case packs of bags in advertising kits. It is an object of the present invention to put bundles of bags or smaller case packs of bags in sampler packs or starter/trial kits. The system and method of the present invention further relates to creating a marketing and advertising program, as stated above for bags, for packaging, packing and packing supplies. It is an object of the present invention to print product or services ads or other information on the packaging, packing or packing supplies. It is an object of the present invention to attach coupons, e.g., peel off coupons to the packaging, packing or packing supplies. It is an object of the present invention to insert coupons into the packaging, packing or packing supplies. It is an object of the present invention to print phone numbers, website URL, links to social media, QR code, unique bar codes on the packaging, packing or packing supplies.
It is an object of the present invention to insert or attach marketing collateral in or to each case of packaging or packing supplies. It is an object of the present invention for said marketing collateral to educate the packaging or packing customer about the product or service advertised on the packaging or packing product. It is an object of the present invention to prepare an accompanying letter that is inserted in or attached to each case of packaging or packing supplies. It is an object of the present invention for the sourcing company or packing manufacturer to determine the content of the collateral or letter that is inserted into or attached to the case of packaging or packing supplies. It is an object of the present invention to obtain the sourcing company's approval for the marketing collateral and/or letter before the packing manufacturer inserts either in the case.
It is an object of the present invention for the packaging or packing supplies to comprise boxes and rolls of newsprint, boxes and rolls of packing paper, boxes and rolls of wrapping paper, boxes and rolls of paper, boxes and rolls of film protectors, rolls of stretch wrap, moving blankets, moving straps, furniture pads, paper pads, tape dispensers, furniture sliders, tape, pouches, packing material, and interlocking packing pieces.
It is an object of the present invention for the packaging or packing supplies to comprise corrugate, corrugated boxes, cardboard boxes, boxes, shoeboxes, plastic totes, moving kits, moving box kits, storage containers, wardrobe boxes, document boxes, and storage boxes.
It is an object of the present invention for the packaging or packing supplies to comprise bundles of corrugate, bundles of corrugated boxes, bundles of cardboard boxes, bundles of boxes, bundles of shoeboxes, bundles of plastic totes, bundles of storage containers, bundles of wardrobe boxes, bundles of document boxes, and bundles of storage boxes.
It is an object of the present invention for the packaging or packing supplies to comprise moving kits and moving box kits.
It is an object of the present invention for the packaging or packing supplies to comprise packages and rolls of bubble cushion, plastic bubble cushion, anti-static bubble cushion, cushion foam, plastic packing foam, foam pouches, foam rolls, thick multi-purpose foam rolls and pieces, thin multi-purpose foam rolls and pieces, packing peanuts including foam peanuts, dish packing kits, dish packing kits made with foam, dish packing kits made with paper and/or corrugate dividers, glass packing kits, glass packing kits made with foam, and glass packing kits made with paper and/or corrugate dividers.
It is an object of the present invention for the packaging or packing supplies to comprise mailing envelopes including paper envelopes, Mylar envelopes, polyethylene envelopes, and envelopes made from environmentally sustainable materials such as renewable resources.
It is an object of the present invention for the packaging or packing supplies to comprise dollies and hand trucks, moving straps and harnesses, moving gloves, and work gloves.
It is an object of the present invention for the packaging or packing supplies to comprise box markers, and knives.
It is an object of the present invention for the packaging or packing supplies to comprise polyethylene bags and covers, including mattress bags, flat screen TV covers, mattress bag sets, chair covers, upholstery covers, comforter bags, outdoor cushion bags, indoor cushion bags, bags with self-closure ties or devices, bags with one way valves and/or zippers, dust covers, picture bags, rug storage bags, tarps, tarp covers, trash bags, wreath and garland bags, and Christmas tree storage bags.
It is an object of the present invention for the packaging or packing supplies to comprise locks, ropes and tie-downs, and cargo netting.
It is an object of the present invention for the packaging or packing supplies to comprise exit bags, paper bags, heat-sealed envelopes, pouches, and child-proof packages.
It is an object of the present invention for the packaging or packing supplies to comprise goods distributed throughout the beauty products industry.
It is an object of the present invention for the packaging or packing supplies to comprise goods distributed throughout the moving and storage industry.
It is an object of the present invention for the packaging or packing supplies to comprise goods distributed throughout the healthcare industry.
It is an object of the present invention for the packaging or packing supplies to comprise bags used in or part of advertising kits. It is an object of the present invention to put bundles of or smaller case packs of packaging or packing supplies in advertising kits. It is an object of the present invention to put bundles of or smaller case packs of packaging or packing supplies in sampler packs and/or starter/trial kits.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the marketing program of the present invention to promote new product launches or services, such as by use of coupons (e.g. peel-off coupons). It is an object of the present invention to use the marketing program of the present invention to raise awareness about existing products or services.
It is an object of the present invention to promote political action committees by using the marketing program of the present invention. It is an object of the present invention for the bag manufacturer, packaging manufacturer, packing manufacturer, sourcing company, or customer of same to donate a portion of the product sales to political action committees.
It is an object of the present invention to promote political causes, such as pending legislation or repeal of pending legislation, by using the marketing program of the present invention. It is an object of the present invention for the bag manufacturer, packaging manufacturer, packing manufacturer, sourcing company, or customer of same to donate a portion of the product sales to educators, organizations or legislators that would benefit from the legislation or repeal of the legislation.
It is an object of the present invention to promote environmental causes by using the marketing program of the present invention. It is an object of the present invention for the bag manufacturer, packaging manufacturer, packing manufacturer, sourcing company, or customer for same to donate a portion of the product sales to environmental organizations.
It is an object of the present invention to promote charitable causes by using the marketing program of the present invention. It is an object of the present invention for the bag manufacturer, packaging manufacturer, packaging manufacturer, sourcing company, or customer of same to donate a portion of the product sales to charitable organizations.
It is an object of the present invention to provide coupon fulfillment and/or coupon redemption services as part of the marketing program.
It is an object of the present invention to enclose within or attach to a case or package information related to coupon redemption. It is an object of the present invention for this information to include such details as self-addressed envelope(s) featuring the coupon clearinghouse's mailing address and contact information.
It is an object of the present invention to package the product with coupons in small case quantities. It is an object of the present invention to package products with coupons in a device other than a traditional case or bundle, by for example, banding products together with a rubber band or paper band or some other type of strapping. It is an object of the present invention to use shrink wrap to protect the product that has coupons. It is an object of the present invention to shrink-wrap the bundle of bags that has coupons. It is an object of the present invention to wrap a sell sheet or advertising circular around the bags.
It is an object of the present invention to include a sell sheet or advertising circular with the shrink-wrapped package.
It is an object of the present invention to cross-market different products or services on peel-off coupons that directly relate to the product to which the peel-off coupon is affixed.
It is an object of the present invention to cross-market different products or services on peel-off coupons that indirectly relate to the product to which the peel-off coupon is affixed.
The present invention relates to a system and method for providing advertisements or information on bags from sourcing companies. The bags are provided to bag customers. The advertisements or information relate to products or services sold by the bag customer or sold by the sourcing company who advertises on the bag. In a preferred embodiment, the advertisements in the form of coupons can be tracked by a scanner which can then assist the sourcing company in determining the effectiveness of the advertising campaign.
In an embodiment, the sourcing company provides the content of the advertising to the system of the present invention, or the system provides content for the sourcing company from which to choose.
The system of the present invention can divert some or all of the costs of the bags from the bag customer to the sourcing company in exchange for the bag customer's willingness to accept and use bags that feature advertising.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14756783 | Oct 2015 | US |
| Child | 15623268 | US |
