Abstract:
The present invention comprises a wrap-around advertising surface, system and method of advertising on railings or other hand support systems and for use on poles or support beams. The wrap-around advertising surface includes a skin layer permanently adhered to a 4-way stretchable material layer, wherein the 4-way stretchable material layer is releasably adhered to a railing or other hand support system. A backing layer between the skin layer and the 4-way stretchable material layer can be inserted for support. The wrap-around advertising surface of the present invention is designed to be releasably attachable to the railing or other hand support system.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     This invention relates to a wrap-around advertising surface, system and method of advertising and more particularly to a wrap-around advertising surface, system and method of advertising on railings or other hand support systems and for use on poles or support beams. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Numerous types of media are used to advertise products and services in various settings. The type of advertising media used can vary depending upon the environment in which it is placed. 
     For example, point of purchase displays are often used to direct consumer attention to product offerings placed inside a store. Large billboards and other types of signage or displays along highways, on windows, on sides of vehicles, and the like are another advertising option and can be effective in attracting the attention of persons passing the display. 
     Floor graphics are a specific example of a point of purchase display. “Floor graphics” is an advertising industry term used to describe a substrate with graphics printed on the surface thereof, which is placed on the floor near a product display to direct a consumer&#39;s attention to a particular product display. Floor graphics are “billboards on the floor” that project an advertising campaign on the floor. 
     Various types of advertising media can also be effective to attract the attention of large numbers of people, for example, at a concert venue, a stadium, a race track, etc. As an example, billboards are often displayed at the above-mentioned places. Other examples include graphical displays on digital scoreboards, which are used in stadiums to attract the attention of a large number of people attending a particular event and billboards and/or digital graphics in moving vehicles such as buses and trains. While these methods are effective they can also be expensive and time consuming to program, display and change. 
     Other methods of advertising include advertising on the vertical risers of steps as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,533 to Lemmond, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,001 to De Pinna describes a display device for advertising consisting of a vertical support with a unitary sheet of resilient material used for advertising hangings from the vertical support. However, the advertising methods to date are relatively expensive, installment intensive and difficult to display. 
     Hence there is a need for a wrap-around advertising surface, system and method of advertising which can reach a large number of people while at the same time be cost effective for the advertiser and easy to display. There is also a need for a method of advertising which is easy to apply and can be removed quickly and replaced cost effectively. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is a wrap-around advertising surface, system and method of advertising on a railing, other hand support system, pole or beam. The wrap-around advertising surface of the present invention is designed to provide cost effective releasably attachable advertising on any railing, feature, surface, grab-bar, other hand support system, pole or support beam. The wrap-around surface is preferably used on a railing, other hand support system, pole or support beam. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a wrap-around advertising surface is provided which is releasably adhered to a surface such as a railing, other hand support device, pole or support beam. The wrap-around advertising surface comprises a skin having an outer surface and an inner surface and a 4-way stretchable material layer having an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface of the skin layer is imprinted with printed indicia forming a visual image. The inner surface of the skin layer is permanently adhered from edge to edge to the outer layer of the 4-way stretchable material layer. The inner of the 4-way stretchable material layer is completely covered from edge to edge with a releasable adhesive. In another aspect of the invention, a backing layer with an outer surface and an inner surface is placed between the skin layer and the 4-way stretchable material layer to provide additional support. The outer surface of the backing layer is permanently adhered to the inner surface of the skin layer. The inner surface of the backing layer is permanently adhered to the outer surface of the 4-way stretchable material layer. 
     In another aspect, a system of advertising is presented. The system comprises a wrap-around advertising surface, which has a skin layer and a 4-way stretchable material layer with an outer surface and an inner surface. The skin layer has an outer surface and an inner surface; the outer surface of the skin layer has printed indicia, which presents a visual image. The inner surface of the skin layer is permanently adhered to the outer surface of the 4-way stretchable material layer. The inner surface of the 4-way stretchable material layer is releasably adhered to a railing. In another aspect of the system of advertising presented, a backing layer with an outer surface and an inner surface is placed between the skin layer and the 4-way stretchable material layer to provide additional support. The outer surface of the backing layer is permanently adhered to the inner surface of the skin layer. The inner surface of the backing layer is permanently adhered to the outer surface of the 4-way stretchable material layer. 
     In yet another aspect, a method of advertising is presented using the wrap-around advertising surface of the present invention. The method of advertising comprises providing a railing, other hand support system, pole or support beam, etc. having a length and alignment targets in a parallel line along its length. Next, placing the wrap-around advertising surface so that the center lengthwise axis of the wrap-around advertising surface is centered on the axis parallel to the length of the railing, other hand support system, pole, support beam, etc. The wrap-around advertising surface of the present invention has alignment targets disposed along an axis parallel to the lengthwise edge of the wrap-around advertising surface and the wrap-around advertising surface folds around the railing such that the alignment targets of the wrap-around advertising surface align with the alignment targets of the railing and the edges of the wrap-around advertising surface abut when folded around the railing. 
     The wrap-around advertising surface, system and method of advertising will provide a cost effective advertising vehicle for advertisers who wish to provide point of sale advertising and who wish to reach large groups of consumers. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an expanded side view of a wrap-around advertising surface. 
     FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of the wrap-around advertising surface of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is an expanded side view of another embodiment of a wrap-around advertising surface. 
     FIG. 4 is an elevated perspective view of the wrap-around advertising surface of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 shows an advertising system for presenting a visual image using the wrap-around advertising surface of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 shows an advertising system for presenting a visual image using the wrap-around advertising surface of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 7 shows a method of advertising using the wrap-around surface of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 8 shows method of advertising using the wrap-around surface of FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present wrap-around advertising surface, system and method of advertising will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an illustrative aspect of the invention is shown. This surface, system and method of advertising may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather this embodiment is provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
     FIG. 1 discloses wrap-around advertising surface  100  for use on a railing, hand support system, pole or support beam or any other structure which can function as a support surface. Wrap-around advertising surface  100  has a skin layer  104  and a 4-way stretchable layer  112 . Skin layer  104  can be formed from a variety of materials. Examples of such materials include expanded vinyl, which is vinyl with a layer of foam that imparts a soft, textured feel, leather, plastic sheeting, plastic roll stock, any type of foam product, polyurethane, urethane, woven fabrics, rubber material, foil material or any other material which could act as a covering to a hand support system. If skin layer  104  is formed from expanded vinyl, the vinyl surface may be smooth or textured. In addition, if a vinyl material is used, the vinyl may be supported or unsupported. 
     Skin layer  104  has a inner surface  106  which is affixed to the outer surface  110  of 4-way stretchable material layer  112  by a permanent adhesive  108  that completely covers skin layer  104  from edge to edge. The permanent adhesive  108  can be any permanent adhesive known in the art, which will permanently bond skin layer  104  to 4-way stretchable material layer  112 . An example of such a permanent adhesive is FLEXCON® adhesive V-402. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art that other similar suitable adhesives may be used. 
     Four-way stretchable material layer  112  has outer surface  110  and an inner surface  114 , such that outer surface  110  of 4-way stretchable material layer  112  conforms to and is permanently affixed to inner surface  106  of skin layer  104 . Four-way stretchable material layer  112  may be comprised of any material that can simultaneously stretch in four directions such as a polyester material; an example is MYLAR®. Inner surface  114  of 4-way stretchable material layer  112  is releasably attached to the railing or hand support system by a layer of releasable adhesive  116 . Releasable adhesive  116  completely covers from edge to edge and is affixed to 4-way stretchable material layer  112  and provides releasable adhesion to the railing or hand support system. Releasable adhesive  116  provides secure adhesion to the railing or hand support system but may be removed with a minimal amount of effort by peeling wrap-around advertising surface  100  off the railing or hand support system, etc. Any adhesive having the characteristics of being secured to the railing as well as being easily removed can be utilized. Any acrylic-based adhesive, rubber-based adhesive, or silicone-based adhesive can be utilized; a preferred example of a releasable adhesive is FLEXCON® V-58. 
     FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of wrap-around advertising surface  100 . Skin layer  104  has outer surface  102  and inner surface  106 . Outer surface  102  of skin layer  104  has printed indicia that presents visual image  118 . Visual image  118  can be created using any printing or graphic technique known in the art suitable for placing graphic designs on the wrap-around material employed. For example, sublimation printing utilizing heat and pressure to affix preprinted graphics produces a highly durable and accurate graphic. The sublimation ink can be pretreated with UV inhibitors to prevent fading. Luminescent inks can also be used to provide a glow in the dark environment. Puff inks can be used to provide a textured surface. In addition, plastisol inks can be used in a heat transfer application for durable, long-lasting images. Wet ink printing can also be used as well as computer generated digital graphics, which are directly printed on various materials used as skin layer  104 . 
     FIG. 3 discloses wrap-around advertising surface  200  for use on a railing, hand support system, pole or support beam or any other structure which can function as a support surface. Wrap-around advertising surface  200  has a skin layer  204 , a backing layer  212  and a 4-way stretchable material layer  220 . Skin layer  204  can be formed from a variety of materials. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, expanded vinyl, which is vinyl with a layer of foam that imparts a soft, textured feel, leather, plastic sheeting, plastic roll stock, any type of foam product, polyurethane, urethane, woven fabrics, rubber material, foil material or any other material which could act as a covering to a hand support system. If skin layer  204  is formed from expanded vinyl, the vinyl surface may be smooth or textured. In addition, if a vinyl material is used, the vinyl may be supported or unsupported. 
     Skin layer  204  has an inner surface  206  which is affixed to outer surface  210  of backing layer  212  by a permanent adhesive  208  which completely covers inner surface  214  of backing layer  212  from edge to edge. The permanent adhesive  208  can be any permanent adhesive known in the art, which will permanently bond skin layer  204  to backing layer  212 . An example of such a permanent adhesive is FLEXCON® adhesive V-402. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art that other similar suitable adhesives may be used. 
     Backing layer  212  has an outer surface  210  and an inner surface  214 , such that outer surface  210  of backing layer  212  conforms to and is affixed to inner surface  206  of skin layer  204 . Backing layer  212  may be comprised of any material suitable for providing support including open cell foam, closed cell foam, felt, paper or rubber. Inner surface  214  of backing layer  212  is permanently adhered to the outer surface  218  of 4-way stretchable material layer  220 . The permanent adhesive  216  attaching inner surface  214  of backing layer  212  to top surface  218  of 4-way stretchable material layer  220  can be any permanent adhesive known in the art which will permanently bond the surfaces, an example of which is FLEXCON® V-402. Four-way stretchable material layer  220  has the ability to stretch in all directions simultaneously such as a polyester material, an example is MYLAR®. Inner surface  222  of 4-way stretchable material layer  220  is releasably attached to the railing or hand support system by releasable adhesive  224 . Releasable adhesive  224  is affixed to and completely covers 4-way stretchable material layer  220  from edge to edge and provides releasable adhesion to the railing or hand support system. Releasable adhesive  224  provides secure adhesion to the railing or hand support system but may be removed with a minimal amount of effort by peeling wrap-around advertising surface  200  off the railing or hand support system. Any adhesive having the characteristics of being secured to the railing as well as being easily removed can be utilized. Any acrylic-based adhesive, rubber-based adhesive, or silicone-based adhesive can be utilized; a preferred example of a releasable adhesive is FLEXCON® V-58. 
     FIG. 4 is an elevated perspective view of wrap-around advertising surface  200 . Skin layer  204  has outer surface  202  and inner surface  206 . Outer surface  202  of skin layer  204  has printed indicia that presents visual image  226 . Visual image  226  can be created using any printing or graphic technique known in the art suitable for placing graphic designs on the wrap-around material employed. For example, sublimation printing utilizing heat and pressure to affix preprinted graphics produces a highly durable and accurate graphic. The sublimation ink can be pretreated with UV inhibitors to prevent fading. Luminescent inks can also be used to provide a glow in the dark environment. Puff inks can be used to provide a textured surface. In addition, plastisol inks can be used in a heat transfer application for durable, long-lasting images. Wet ink printing can also be used as well as computer generated digital graphics, which are directly printed on various materials used as skin layer  226 . 
     FIG. 5 discloses an advertising system for presenting a visual image on a railing. For convenience, the component parts of wrap-around surface  100  are numbered as in FIG. 1 designating wrap-around advertising surface  100 . The system of the present invention can be utilized with any type of railing or hand support system  120 . Wrap-around advertising surface  100  of the present invention has a 4-way stretchable material layer  116  with an inner and outer surface, skin layer  104  which has an inner and an outer surface, the inner surface of the skin layer  104  is permanently adhered to said outer surface of said 4-way stretchable material layer  116 . 4-way stretchable material layer  116  is releasably adhered to railing  120 . Skin layer  104  and said 4-way stretchable material layer  116  each have a width substantially similar to the circumference of railing  120 , such that edges of skin layer  104  and said 4-way stretchable material layer  116  abut when wrapped around railing  120 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 5, outer surface  102  of skin layer  104  has printed indicia that presents visual image  118 . Visual image  118  can be created using any printing or graphic technique known in the art suitable for placing graphic designs on the wrap-around material employed. For example, sublimation printing utilizing heat and pressure to affix preprinted graphics produces a highly durable and accurate graphic. The sublimation ink can be pretreated with UV inhibitors to prevent fading. Luminescent inks can also be used to provide a glow in the dark environment. Puff inks can be used to provide a textured surface. In addition, plastisol inks can be used in a heat transfer application for durable, long-lasting images. Wet ink printing can also be used as well as computer generated digital graphics, which are directly printed on various materials used as skin layer  104 . 
     FIG. 6 discloses yet another advertising system for presenting a visual image on a railing. For convenience, the component parts of wrap-around surface  200  are numbered as in FIG. 3 designating wrap-around advertising surface  200 . Wrap-around advertising surface  200  of the present invention has 4-way-stretchable material layer  220  with an inner and outer surface, a backing layer  212  with an inner and outer surface, and a skin layer  204  which has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the skin layer  204  is permanently adhered to the outer surface of the backing layer  212 . The inner surface of backing layer  212  is permanently adhered to 4-way stretchable material layer  220 . Four-way stretchable material layer  220  is releasably adhered to railing  230 . Skin layer  204 , backing layer  212  and 4-way stretchable material layer  220  each have a width substantially similar to the circumference of railing  230 , such that edges of said skin layer  204 , backing layer  212  and said 4-way stretchable material layer  220  abut when wrapped around railing  230 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 6, outer surface  202  of skin layer  204  has printed indicia that presents visual image  226 . Visual image  226  can be created using any printing or graphic technique known in the art suitable for placing graphic designs on the wrap-around material employed. For example, sublimation printing utilizing heat and pressure to affix preprinted graphics produces a highly durable and accurate graphic. The sublimation ink can be pretreated with UV inhibitors to prevent fading. Luminescent inks can also be used to provide a glow in the dark environment. Puff inks can be used to provide a textured surface. In addition, plastisol inks can be used in a heat transfer application for durable, long-lasting images. Wet ink printing can also be used as well as computer generated digital graphics, which are directly printed on various materials used as skin layer  204 . 
     FIG. 7 discloses a method of advertising using wrap-around around advertising surface  100 . Wrap-around around advertising surface  100  has alignment targets  122  along axis  124  parallel to lengthwise edge  126  of wrap-around around advertising surface  100 . Next alignment targets  128  are placed on railing  120 . Next, wrap around surface  100  is placed on railing  120  so that the center lengthwise axis of wrap-around surface  100  is centered on the axis parallel to the length of railing  120 . Next, wrap-around advertising surface  100  alignment targets  122  are aligned with railing  120  alignment targets  128 . Finally, wrap-around advertising surface  100  has a width substantially similar to the circumference of railing  120  such that when wrap-around advertising surface  100  is folded around railing  120  edges  126  of wrap-around advertising surface  100  abut. 
     FIG. 8 discloses a method of advertising using wrap-around around advertising surface  200 . Wrap-around around advertising surface  200  has alignment targets  232  along axis  234  parallel to lengthwise edge  236  of wrap-around around advertising surface  200 . Next, alignment targets  238  are placed on railing  230 . Next, wrap around surface  200  is placed on railing  230  so that the center lengthwise axis of wrap-around surface  200  is centered on the axis parallel to the length of railing  230 . Next, wrap-around advertising surface  200  alignment targets  232  are aligned with railing  230  alignment targets  238 . Finally, wrap-around advertising surface  200  has a width substantially similar to the circumference of railing  230  such that when wrap-around advertising surface  200  is folded around railing  230  edges  236  of wrap-around advertising surface  200  abut.