Abstract:
By providing a pre-printed promotional holding system which can be produced in a wide variety of alternate forms and/or configurations and which employs a pre-folded, fully assembled panel system which is quickly and easily converted from a substantially flat configuration into a three-dimensional, fully constructed configuration, a hands-on, printed, visually exciting and interest generating advertising/promotional product and holding system is attained. This previously unattainable result is realized in the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the panel system automatically produces, when moved into its three-dimensional configuration, a fully enclosed, rectangular shaped box incorporating an arcuately pivotable cover plate preferably associated with the top surface of the box. This unique, automatic box-forming construction is achieved by employing a single sheet of material formed and cut to effectively create two, cooperating, rectangular shaped, four sided, foldable panel assemblies, which are interconnected with each other and constructed in a fully integrated, cooperating relationship.

Description:
RELATED DATA 
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/214,404, filed Apr. 23, 2009 entitled ADVERTISING/PROMOTIONAL PRODUCT AND HOLDING SYSTEM. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to advertising/promotional display and holding systems and, more particularly, to advertising/promotional display and holding systems for providing visually exciting and interest generating products and delivery systems. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    With the ever-increasing quantity of products and services being offered to consumers, substantial interest has been given to promotional systems for advertising such products and services and for presenting gifts or awards to consumers or customers in a unique manner. In this regard, a wide variety of advertising displays and promotional literature has been created and distributed to consumers. However, due to the deluge of material to which average consumers are constantly exposed, greater emphasis has been placed on developing eye-catching visual displays, promotional material, and delivery systems which stand out as being visually unique in order to receive consumer attention. 
         [0004]    Although various novelty products, printed displays, and delivery systems have been created in an attempt to satisfy this demand, these prior art products have failed to provide the desired interest generating result with production costs which advertisers are capable of justifying. In attempting to generate a unique advertising display and delivery system, some prior art products have employed complex folding systems which produce a three-dimensional display when activated or unfolded. 
         [0005]    In spite of the unique visual appearance generated by such products, the overall cost of production and complexity of the assembly of these systems has prevented such prior art systems from becoming popular. In particular, many prior art systems require multi-part segments to be aligned or placed in specific registered positions or locations. This requirement is both time consuming and costly. 
         [0006]    Other prior art displays have attempted to generate consumer interest by providing unique visual images or other indicia as an integral part of the display or delivery system. However, these prior art attempts have also failed to generate the consumer interest being sought, largely due to an inability to physically involve the consumer in the promotion or display operation. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, the ever increasing consumer demand seeks to obtain promotional products or delivery systems which produce unique and/or surprising results. In this regard, consumers are continuously seeking products which will produce a surprising visual effect when used, while also providing a useful and desirable function. 
         [0008]    Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a printed advertising and holding system which is capable of being produced at a reasonable cost and provides an exciting, interest generating display, while also enabling a desired gift or product to be retained therewith. 
         [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a printed advertising or promotional product having the characteristic features described above, which enables the consumer to physically control the presentation of the display in a unique, hands-on manner. 
         [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a printed advertising or promotional product and holding system having the characteristic features described above, which is capable of mass production and assembly. 
         [0011]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a printed advertising or promotional product and holding system having the characteristic features described above, which is completely produced and assembled without requiring special segment alignment or registration. 
         [0012]    A further object in the present invention is to provide a printed advertising or promotional product and holding system having the characteristic features described above, which provides a unique, eye-catching, exciting and surprising visual change which is produced in response to action taken by the consumer. 
         [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a printed advertising or promotional product and holding system having the characteristic features described above, which provides an eye-catching visual display which is usable as a gift holding member for being presented to another individual. 
         [0014]    Other and more specific objects will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    By employing the present invention, all of the difficulties and inabilities of the prior art are eliminated and a unique, hands-on, printed, visually exciting and interest generating advertising/promotional product and holding system is attained. This desirable and previously unattainable result is realized in the present invention by providing a unique, pre-printed promotional holding system which can be produced in a wide variety of alternate forms and/or configurations. However, regardless of the printed form or configuration desired, the promotional holding system of the present invention employs a pre-folded, fully assembled panel system which is quickly and easily converted from a substantially flat configuration into a three-dimensional, fully constructed configuration. 
         [0016]    In the preferred embodiment, the panel system automatically produces, when moved into its three-dimensional configuration, a fully enclosed, rectangular shaped box incorporating an arcuately pivotable cover plate preferably associated with the top surface of the box. This unique, automatic box-forming construction is achieved by employing in the preferred embodiment, a single sheet of material which has been formed and cut to effectively create two, cooperating, rectangular shaped, four sided, foldable panel assemblies, which are interconnected with each other and constructed in a fully integrated, cooperating relationship. In addition, although each of the two foldable panel assemblies are hollow in cross-section and form a rectangular shaped element closed on four sides, by mounting the two cooperating panel assemblies at right angles to each other and having both assemblies share a common panel member, a fully constructed, rectangularly shaped box is achieved quickly and easily, with the box being closed on all six sides. 
         [0017]    In order to move the advertising/promotional product and holding system of the present invention from its first, substantially flat configuration into its second, fully erect, three-dimensional configuration, the two independent panel assemblies are activated. Typically, each panel assembly is separately activated by the imposition of a force perpendicular to one side surface thereof. This activation force effectively causes the panel assembly to move from its first, flat configuration into its second, fully erect, three-dimensional configuration. 
         [0018]    In accordance with the present invention; although two separate panel assemblies are employed and are separately activated, the fact that each panel assembly share one common panel member as one common element of each panel assembly, the activation of the two panel assemblies causes a single, rectangularly shaped box to be achieved. In this way, the uniquely constructed visually exciting and interest generating advertising/promotional product and holding system of the present invention is capable of being quickly and easily constructed for use and/or presentation. 
         [0019]    In accordance with the present invention, the adverting/promotional product and holding system is employed for a wide variety of alternate purposes, as well as in a wide variety of alternate configurations and constructions. In this regard, by incorporating preprinted information, designs, colors, logos, or other indicia on the surfaces of the advertising/promotional product and holding system, an exciting and interest generating result is achieved which can be implemented for achieving any desired promotion or visual impact. In this way, any information, message, or graphic display desired by a sponsor or consumer of the promotional system is easily conveyed in a attractive, exciting, and interest generating manner. 
         [0020]    Furthermore, the advertising/promotional product and holding system of the present invention may be constructed with apertures preformed in any panel member for enabling the rectangular shaped box to be employed as a gift holding box. As a result, by constructing the size of the box for enabling a desired sized gift to be retained therein, a gift box is quickly and easily assembled with the desired gift placed therein for presentation to a recipient. In addition to receiving a gift retained in the box, any desired graphics, indicia, and the like can be printed on the surface of the box in order to further enhance the excitement and interest generated by the promotional product and holding system of the present invention. 
         [0021]    In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the advertising/promotional product and holding system is constructed for retaining substantially flat elements, products, or panels, such as gift cards, credit cards, money cards, debit cards, lottery cards, prize cards, show tickets, theater tickets, prize awards, and the like, hereinafter referred to both separately and inclusively as a “gift card”. In this way, in this one particular use, a consumer is able to purchase a gift card for presentation to any desired individual, and provide that gift card to the recipient in a fully erect, fully constructed “gift box”. 
         [0022]    By quickly and easily constructing the advertising/promotional product and holding system of the present invention by converting the holding system from its first, substantially flat configuration into its second, three-dimensional configuration, the purchaser is able to place the gift card on the top panel of the preformed box, in a holding zone provided thereon. Then, the pivotal cover plate associated with the top surface is placed in overlying engagement with the gift card. In this way, the gift card is sandwiched between the top surface of the preformed box and the pivotal cover plate. 
         [0023]    By constructing the holding system of the present invention with decorative surface indicia pre-printed on all exposed surfaces, an attractive, exciting, and interest generating gift construction is realized which is capable of securely holding various products, such as gift cards in a manner which provides an exciting and interest generating display for the recipient. In addition, the gift card holding system of the present invention also enables individuals to provide a unique, attractive, and excitement-generating gift to any recipient in a manner which enhances the significance of the gift and the presentation of the gift. 
         [0024]    The invention of accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties, and relation of the elements which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
     
    
     
       THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the advertising/promotional display and holding system of the present invention depicted shown in its fully constructed, fully erect three-dimensional configuration, shown retaining a card member therewith and with its pivotable cover plate in the raised position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the advertising/promotional display and holding system of  FIG. 1  shown with its pivotable cover plate in the closed position; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a substantially flat, planar view of the adverting/promotional display and holding system of  FIG. 1  shown completely unassembled; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 4-11  are perspective views of the advertising/promotional display and holding system of  FIG. 1  shown in various stages of formation; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the substantially flat panel configuration employed for forming the advertising/promotional display and holding system of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    By referring to  FIGS. 1-12 , along with the following detailed discussion, the construction and operation of one preferred embodiment of advertising or promotional product and holding system  20  of the present invention can best be understood. However, additional constructions and variations can be made in this embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Consequently, it is to be understood that the present invention encompasses all such variations of construction and the preferred embodiment herein is provided for exemplary purposes only and is not intended as a limitation of the present invention. 
         [0032]    In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the preferred embodiment of advertising/promotional product and holding system  20  of the present invention is depicted in its second, fully assembled, three-dimensional configuration. As shown, advertising/promotional product and holding system  20  comprises a substantially rectangular shaped housing  21  which incorporates top panel  22 , bottom panel  23 , front wall  24 , rear wall  25 , and side walls  26  and  27 . In addition, in the preferred construction, advertising/promotional product and holding system  20  incorporates pivotable cover plate or panel  28  which is mounted to top surface  22  along one edge of panel  28  in a manner which enables cover plate/panel  28  to be arcuately pivotable from a first, fully raised position, as shown in  FIG. 1  into a second, overlying, surface covering position, as shown in  FIG. 2 . In this second, surface covering position, panel  28  effectively overlies and substantially covers the top surface of panel  22 . 
         [0033]    As detailed in this disclosure, advertising/promotional product and holding system  20  is capable of being employed for a wide variety of various products and end uses. As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one preferred embodiment for advertising/promotional product and holding system  20  is its use as a gift holding box and/or presentation box for a substantially flat card member  30 , such as a gift card, calling card, credit card, membership card, lottery card, theater tickets, and the like. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , top panel  22  preferably incorporates a flap or cutaway portion  31  which is constructed for enabling card member  30  to be quickly and easily inserted therewith and securely held on top panel  22  in a precisely desired position and/or location. In addition, cutaway portion  31  also incorporates an enlarged area or zone for enabling an appropriate message to be printed or written thereon for the recipient. If desired, pivotal panel  28  may also incorporate an aperture  33  form therein which is aligned with holding flap  31  for enabling the message printed on flap  31  to be viewed through panel  28 , even when panel  28  is in its second, overlying top surface covering position. 
         [0035]    Finally, as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , top panel  22  of housing  21  preferably incorporates slot  35  formed substantially midway along the juncture between top panel  22  and front wall  24 . In addition, panel  28  also incorporates tab  36  extending from the free edge thereof, with tab  36  being positioned and constructed for insertion into slot  35  of housing  21 . In this way, whenever panel  28  is pivoted into its second, closed, surface overlying position, this position can be easily retained by inserting tab  36  into slot  35 . If desired, fastening means can be employed to assure the securement of cover plate  28  with top panel  22 , thereby securely retaining card member  30  in the desired position, until cover plate  28  has been opened by the recipient. 
         [0036]    In order to produce advertising/promotional product and holding system  20  of the present invention in a highly efficient and economical manner, product/holding system  20  is preferably constructed from a single flat sheet of material which is pre-cut into a predetermined configuration. The preferred configuration employed in achieving product/holding system  20  of the present invention is fully depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0037]    Once the desired, pre-cut, substantially flat sheet of material is attained, the sheet is folded along specific fold lines in order to achieve the desired product. By referring to  FIGS. 3-6  along with the following detailed disclosure, the overall construction and folding arrangement for achieving product/holding system  20  of the present invention can best be understood. In addition, although the preferred folding method is depicted in  FIGS. 3-6  and detailed below, it should be understood that variations and alterations in this folding sequence can be made without departing from the scope of this invention, with all such variations and alterations being included in the present invention. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 12 , each of the panels forming housing  21  and product/holding system  20  are depicted with fold lines being formed between panels which are adjacent to each other. In this regard, in the preferred construction of this embodiment of the present invention, top panel  22  is adjacent side wall  27  with fold line  40  formed therebetween. In addition, bottom panel  23  is positioned adjacent to side wall  27  with fold line  41  formed therebetween. Furthermore, bottom panel  23  is also adjacent to side wall  26  with fold line  43  formed therebetween, while side wall  26  is adjacent to construction strip  45 , with fold line  44  formed therebetween. 
         [0039]    As discussed above, housing  21  is formed by two separate panel assemblies which share one common panel member. In  FIG. 3 , separate panel assemblies  38  and  39  are fully depicted. As shown therein, panel assemblies  38  incorporate top panel  22 , side wall  27 , bottom panel  23 , side wall  26 , and construction strip  45 . In addition, panel assemblies  39  incorporate cover plate  28 , rear wall  25 , bottom panel  23 , front wall  24 , interior panel  46 , and construction strip  45 . 
         [0040]    In addition, panel assembly  39  also incorporates fold line  50  formed between cover plate  28  and rear wall  25 , fold line  51  formed between rear wall  25  and bottom panel  23 , fold line  52  formed between front wall  24  and bottom panel  23 , fold line  53  formed between front wall  24  and interior panel  46  and fold line  54  formed between interior panel  46  and construction strip  47 . Finally, as discussed above, slot  35  is formed in fold line  53  substantially midway along the length thereof. 
         [0041]    By employing this construction, advertising/promotional display and holding system  20  is quickly and easily assembled. As best seen in  FIG. 4 , the first step in the assembly of the advertising/promotional display and holding system  20  is the construction of panel assembly  39 . This assembly is preferably achieved by first folding construction strip  47  about fold line  54  toward the inside surface of interior panel  46 . Then, interior panel  46  is folded about fold line  54  in order to bring construction strip  47  into overlying alignment with rear wall  25 . Preferably, prior to initiating the folding operation, adhesive means, such as glue, is positioned along the interior surface of rear wall  25 . In this way, once construction strip  47  is placed in contact with the inside surface of the rear wall  25 , construction strip  47  is securely affixed thereto, and panel assembly  39  is completed. 
         [0042]    The second step in fully assembling advertising/promotional display and holding system  20  is the assembly of panel assembly  38 . In this regard, as is shown in  FIG. 5 , panel assembly  38  is completed by applying adhesive means to the outer surface of construction strip  45  and folding construction strip  45  about fold line  44  into contact with side wall  26 . Thereafter, top panel  22  and side edge  27  are folded about fold line of  44  with the inside surface of top panel  22  being placed into secure engagement with the adhesive means placed on construction strip  45 . Once top panel  22  is placed in contact with the adhesive surface of construction strip  45 , panel  22  is affixed thereto and panel assembly  38  is completed. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 6A , the last step in completely assembling advertising/promotional display and holding system  20  of the present invention is the arcuate pivoting movement of cover plate  28  about fold line  50 , bringing cover plate  28  into contact with top surface  22 . Once this position has been achieved, advertising/promotional display and holding system  20  is fully assembled and securely positioned in its first, two-dimensional, folded configuration. 
         [0044]    Once advertising/promotional display and holding system  20  is fully assembled and positioned in its first, substantially flat, two-dimensional configuration, holding system  20  is ready for shipment to any desired company, individual, and/or retail outlet. By maintaining holding system  20  in the flat, folded configuration, ease of shipment and distribution is achieved, as well as ease of display for purchase. 
         [0045]    Whenever advertising/promotional display and holding system  20  of the present invention is to be used for any desired purpose, holding system  20  is transformed from its first, substantially flat, two-dimensional configuration into its second, fully assembled, three-dimensional configuration. By referring to  FIGS. 7-11 , along with the following detailed description, the assembly and use of the advertising/promotional display and holding system  20  can best be understood. 
         [0046]    In the preferred embodiment, the first step in transforming holding system  20  from its two-dimensional configuration into his three-dimensional configuration is to arcuately pivot plate  28  away from top panel  22 . Thereafter, forces are applied to the opposed side walls of housing  21 , substantially perpendicularly to side walls  26  and  27  in order to cause side wall  26  to arcuately pivot about fold line  43 , while side wall  27  arcuately pivots about fold line  41 . Simultaneously therewith, construction strip  45  and top panel  22  arcuately pivots about fold line  44 , while the opposite edge of top panel  22  arcuately pivots about fold line  41 . Once completed, substantially rectangular shaped panel assembly  38  is achieved which is defined by top panel  22 , side wall  27 , bottom panel  23 , and side wall  26 , with the interior thereof being substantially empty. 
         [0047]    In the next step, panel assembly  39  is transformed from its substantially flat, two-dimensional configuration into its fully erect, three-dimensional configuration. In order to achieve this transformation, opposed forces are applied to front wall  24  and rear wall  25 , causing front wall  24  to arcuately pivot about fold line  52 , while rear wall  25  and construction strip  47  arcuately pivot about fold line  51 . Simultaneously therewith, interior panel  46  arcuately pivots about fold line  54  on one edge thereof and fold line  53  along the opposed edge thereof. Once completed, substantially rectangular shaped panel assembly  39  is formed, defined by interior panel  46 , front wall  24 , bottom panel  23 , and rear wall  25 . In addition, panel assembly  39  is formed within panel assembly  38 , effectively completing the formation of housing  21 , with housing  21  being closed on all sides thereof. 
         [0048]    Once advertising/promotional display and holding system  20  is fully formed in its second, fully erect, three-dimensional configuration, holding system  20  is ready for use in any desired manner. As depicted in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , one preferred use of holding system  20  is to securely retain card member  30  for presentation to another individual as a gift, prize, award, or the like. 
         [0049]    In order to achieve this result, card member  30  is quickly and easily positioned in the desired location in association with flap or cutaway portion  31 , retaining card member  30  in the precisely desired location. Thereafter, cover plate  28  is arcuately pivoted into overlying covering relationship with card member  30 , while tab  36  is inserted into slot  35  for retaining card member  30  in its secured position, while also being obscured from view, as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0050]    In the preferred construction, as discussed above, cover plate  28  incorporates aperture  33  formed therein, which is aligned with the top, exposed surface of flap  31 . As a result, any individual is able to provide a personalized message on flap  31 , with that personalized message being viewable through aperture  33 . In this way, the recipient of advertising/promotional display and holding system  20  of the present invention is able to quickly and easily understand that the contents thereof are being presented to that individual, along with any other desired information provided on flap  31 , prior to actually opening holding system  20 . 
         [0051]    It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above article without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
         [0052]    It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.