Abstract:
A message delivery device for communication between a sender and a receiver having a container, a cover having a label on it that is easily personalized to a specific sender, and a rolled-up message strip disposed within the container having a time-dependant message. The time-dependant message is read and displayed as the user un-rolls the message. A display system having rows to hold the message delivery devices and a pull-tab for displaying the time-dependant message outside of the container is also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to and claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/191,042 filed on Mar. 21, 2000 entitled MESSAGE DELIVERY DEVICE AND DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR USE THEREWITH and incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to greetings or message devices, and more particularly, to a rolled up message or greeting within a container and a display system for use therewith. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     Many different styles and designs for greeting cards have been developed over the years and are used for announcing parties, conveying greetings, and for otherwise communicating feelings or emotions. Numerous features have been used to enhance conventional greeting cards, such as pop-up three-dimensional figures. Despite these features, the general concept of the greeting card has not changed—the card is opened and the message is revealed. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a unique device for delivering a message or other greeting in which the message is revealed differently than the traditional greeting card. There is also a need for a display system for such devices that allows the purchaser to view the hidden greeting or messages within the devices before purchasing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention features a message delivery device including a generally cylindrical message holding container having a removable cover and a rolled-up message strip within the message holding container. The message holding containers can have various colors and configurations and the covers of the message holding containers include some visible indicia such as pictures, words or the like, and can also include a To/From label in various colors and designs. The covers can be twist off or pull off type covers. 
     The present invention also features a display system comprising a container holder having one or more shelves at a front portion for holding the message holding containers. The display system can be located on a counter top, mounted as a rack display or can be free standing. One or more display messages strips are slidably disposed within a rear portion of the container holder and corresponding to the shelves of the container holder. Each of the display message strips includes a tab, preferably corresponding to the design of the cover of the containers being displayed on the corresponding shelves. The tabs are pulled to reveal the message within the containers on the corresponding shelf. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the message holding containers, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the message holding container, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the message holding container, according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 shows a number of possible tops of message holding containers, according to some of the various embodiments of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate a rolled up, partially rolled-up and unrolled message strip, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate a rolled up, partially rolled-up and unrolled message strip, according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a front view of a display system, according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a front view of the display system, according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an open display system according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a display system according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate the closing of the display system of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a multi-sided display system, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a top view of the multi-sided display system shown in FIG. 12; and 
     FIG. 14 is a top view of a multi-sided display system, according to further embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A message delivery device  10 , FIGS. 1-3, according to the present invention, can be used to deliver greetings, invitations, or any other type of message. The message delivery device  10  includes a message holding container  12  and a cover or cap  14  removably engaged with the message holding container  12 . The cap  14  can be either a twist off or pull off type cap. 
     In one example, the message delivery device  10  is generally cylindrical in shape and approximately the size of a film canister that is, about 2″ high, 1-¼″ wide. The message holding container  12  can be made in various other sizes and shapes. 
     The message holding container  12  and cap  14  can be made in various different colors and color combinations and with various design elements. The message holding container is preferably made from cardboard but can be made from various other papers or other materials including plastic and metal. 
     The caps or covers  14 , FIG. 4, of the message holding container  12  preferably include a design or other indicia  13 , preferably in color and preferably coordinated with the message or occasion to which the message relates. The cover  14  preferably also includes a To/From label with various colors and/or designs. The particular colors and designs may relate to a theme of the message, such as Valentine&#39;s Day, Christmas, or another holiday or special occasion. 
     Alternatively, the cap  14 ′ may not have any design, allowing the purchaser to add a customized design or label. According to another alternative, the To/From label and/or design may appear on another portion of the message holding container  12 , such as the side or bottom. 
     A rolled-up message strip  20 , FIGS. 5A and 6A, is disposed within each of the message holding containers  12 . The rolled-up message strip  20  can be made of paper, plastic or any other suitable material capable of being printed on and rolled up. The rolled up message strip  20  includes the message text  22  and/or graphic designs  24  on either the inside surface  26  or the outside surface  28 . In the preferred embodiment, the message to be displayed is printed on the outside surface and the inside surface may be blank. 
     It is important to note that the message text  22  is displayed to the viewer in a time-dependant fashion wherein the reader is only shown the part of the message text  22 ′, FIGS. 5B and 6B that is un-rolled. It is not until the strip  20  is fully unrolled, FIGS. 5C and 6C that the viewer can see the entire message. The act of unrolling the message strip  20  and the time dimension to the unrolling add to the gift-like enjoyment of the present invention. 
     In one embodiment (FIG.  5 ), the outside surface  28  includes a solid color or design, for example, a design motif corresponding to the message theme. According to another embodiment (FIG.  6 ), the outside surface  28  can include a corporate/company logo with a sales, motivational, or personal message on the inside surface  26 . Alternatively, the rolled up message strip  20  can be printed only on one side. 
     The present invention also features a display system  30 , FIGS. 7 and 8, is used to display the message delivery devices  10 , for example, to potential purchasers. The display system  30  includes a container holder  32  having one or more shelves  34  for holding a row of message delivery devices  10 . The container holder  32  includes a front portion  36  for displaying the caps  14  of the message delivery devices  10 . A rear portion  38  of the holder  32  includes slots  40  or other similar means of holding a message bearing strip  42  on which is mounted an unfolded message for and corresponding to each row of message delivery devices  10 . 
     A display message strip  42  is slidably disposed in each slot  40  corresponding to each row of message delivery devices  10 . The display message strip  42  displays the message text contained within each of the message delivery devices  10  on that corresponding row. 
     The message strip  42  preferably includes a pull-tab  44  for each message delivery devices  10  in the corresponding row. The pull-tab  44  can have a corresponding color (FIGS. 7 and 9) or a corresponding design (FIG. 10) as the message in the message delivery device  10 . 
     In one embodiment, the holder  32 , FIGS. 9 and 10, is formed as part of a self-standing container  50 . The self-standing container  50  includes a hinged back panel  52 . The hinged back panel  52  folds over the front portion  36  of the holder  32  for easy packaging and handling (FIGS.  11 A- 11 D). The back panel  52  helps support the self-standing container  50  in an upright position. The back panel  52  may include promotional sales materials, pictures, advertising or the like  53 . In this embodiment, the message strips  42  are provided in a separate cartridge  54  that slides into or locks onto the back portion of the holder  32 . 
     In another embodiment, the display system  30 , FIGS. 12-14, includes multiple holders  32   a-d  to form a multi-sided revolving stand. Each of the sides or holders  32   a-d  can include message delivery devices  10  corresponding to a theme, for example, birthday, anniversary, graduation, wedding and the like. 
     Accordingly, the message delivery device of the present invention provides a unique way of delivering a greeting or message in a container that is a gift as well as a card. The unique display system allows the public to view the message contained within the containers in a way that is similar to actually unwinding the message or greeting. 
     Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the claims which follow.