Abstract:
The variable value retail coupon system comprises a sheet which is covered to hide coupons and two offers with each coupon. First and second longitudinal perforation lines, preferably parallel and along the side edges, extend to separate the offers from the coupons. One of the edge tear tabs defined by the perforation lines is chosen and torn away before opening and making the coupons visible so that a selection is made from between the two coupon offers with the tearing away of a chosen one of two edge tear tabs.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed to an improved variable value retail coupon system which carries at least one coupon of variable offer together with two pull strips. Pulling of either one of the strips destroys one offer and permits the exposure of the other offer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Consumer goods companies are always looking for effective ways to increase the market share of their brands. The variable offer or &#34;self-destruct&#34; retail coupon is one such technique. The consumer is encouraged to purchase more product or convert from a competitor&#39;s product. The variable offer or &#34;self-destruct&#34; retail coupon is arranged with one or more variable offer coupons, and one of the offers is to be selected by the consumer. When the selection is made, the selected offer remains intact with its coupon and can be redeemed at the store, while the non-selected offer portion of the coupon is destroyed and rendered invalid, thereby negating double redemption. A coupon is rendered invalid when it lacks the essential terms such as the legal terms and conditions covering the consumer redemption conditions and retailer reimbursement text. 
     Various designs for option or self-destruct coupons have been suggested or put into actual use. Generally, they have not been adequately satisfactory in accomplishing their intended purpose. The manner in which the option or self-destruct coupon is to be used might not be clearly understood by the consumers. The arrangement of the coupons can confuse the consumer. The invalidation of the non-selected coupon might be inadequate, so that the &#34;destroyed&#34; coupon retains the appearance of a valid coupon. The design may foster or cause the inadvertent and unintentional destruction of the wrong coupon. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to aid in the understanding of this invention, it can be stated in essentially summary form that it is directed to an improved variable value retail coupon system where at least one coupon with at least two different offers is formed on the sheet and provisions are made to hide the coupon. A separation line is spaced from each end to define two separate removal tabs. Instructions advise the user to detach or remove only one of the tabs and then to open the remaining portion of the sheet. The removal destroys one of the two offers. On opening, the selected coupon offer is exposed for use. 
     It is a purpose and advantage of this invention to provide a variable value coupon system wherein the removal of one offer of the coupon assembly destroys one offer so that, when the coupon assembly is thereafter opened, other offers remain intact. 
     It is another purpose and advantage of this invention to provide a variable value coupon system which permits a retail business such as a grocery supermarket to give a higher value offer to its competitor&#39;s customers. 
     It is a further purpose and advantage of this invention to provide a variable value coupon system wherein the variation and value is based on a choice made by the consumer. 
     It is another purpose and advantage of this invention to provide a variable value coupon system wherein a plurality of coupons are hidden, and each has a plurality of offers associated therewith, together with directions which request the consumer to remove one tab, with the removal of that tab controlling the value of the coupon offer. 
     It is another purpose and advantage of this invention to provide a variable value retail coupon system wherein a sheet has multiple coupons, each with multiple offers thereon and is folded so that the multiple coupons overlap each other. The sheet is perforated so that one portion or another portion of the sheet may be removed to invalidate one offer, but leave the selected offer complete. 
     It is a further purpose and advantage of this invention to provide a variable value retail coupon system wherein a plurality of variable value coupon offers can be assembled together and distributed as an assembly. 
     Other purposes and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following portion of the specification, the claims and the attached drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front-elevational view of the improved variable value retail coupon system of this invention as it is distributed to the consumer. 
     FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with one of the two tabs separated. 
     FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing one of the two tabs removed and seen as it is opened by the consumer. 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inside in the unfolded condition, not seen by the comsumer. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 shows the exterior of the improved variable value retail coupon system 10. In FIG. 1, it is in the form as delivered to the consumer. The coupon system 10 is formed on the front 14 of a sheet of paper 12, which is folded over at least once, as described below. In the distributed form, it is glued along the edge so that it remains in the folded position during delivery. The edge glue holds the retail coupon system 10 together and forces the consumer to pull off one of the side tabs to gain access to the coupons hidden inside the coupon system by the folding. The back face of the coupon system 10, away from the viewer in FIGS. 1 and 2, may have address indicia thereon, if the coupon system 10 is to be delivered individually by the U.S. Postal Service. The front of the folded coupon system, as seen in FIG. 1, may carry the sponsor&#39;s name and company name on store indicia 16 and 18 thereon between which the consumer is to be given a choice, or ask a question requiring consumer choice. 
     The coupon system may be most readily understood when first observed in the unfolded position shown in FIG. 4. This is the condition of the coupon system 10 when it comes off the printing press before it is folded and glued around the outer edges. The sheet 12 is defined by left and right edges 20 and 22, as well as top and bottom edges 24 and 26. The sheet 12 is divided into a plurality of panels 27, 28, 30, 32 and 34 by four separation lines, which are preferably tear line perforations 35, 36, 38 and 40. In addition, the sheet 12 has two separation lines which are preferably tear line perforations 42 and 44 running parallel to the edges 20 and 22 substantially for the entire length thereof. 
     At the top panel 27, the perforation lines 42 and 44 angle inwardly at the upper end to define triangular cover tabs 46 and 48. Each of the panels carries printed information on the coupon surface, which is the surface seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. The information may include a logo and may include directions. Several of the panels can carry coupons thereon. The offer portion of the coupons outside of the tear line perforations 42 and 44 is different on the opposite sides of the coupon. After the printing is completed, the sheet is folded into the system. The upper half of sheet 12 is folded down over the lower half on midpoint fold line 49. The folded half sheets are attached by means of a line 50 of glue, which extends around the periphery. This is light glue that secures the edges, but permits easy and convenient separation so that the parts can be pulled apart without tearing the paper. The glue is sufficiently strong to hold the assembled system 10 together after it is folded to hide the coupons until one of the tabs is pulled. The folding could be done on other lines; for example, the folding could be done with multiple fold lines so the coupon panels overlie themselves as the folding occurs. The folding hides the offers so that the user does not know the value of the offer he is saving or destroying before he opens the system. Other structures, such as a separate cover sheet can be used for the same purpose. Such a cover sheet would have edge perforations corresponding to perforation lines 42 and 44. 
     The folding on line 49 places the system into the condition shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The front of the system 10, as seen in FIG. 2 carries indicia 52, which advises the user to pull off one, but not both of the edge tear strips or tabs 54 and 56 which respectively lie outside of the perforation lines 42 and 44. In the illustration of FIG. 1, the choice is between two grocery store chains. The coupon system will make different coupon offers to his customers than to his competitor&#39;s customers. Indicia 52 advises the user to pull off the tab which has the name of his favorite store. 
     The condition of the coupon system after the pulling off of the right-hand tab is seen in FIG. 2. The angular cut 48 is convenient to expose the corner 58 of the panel 34, the exterior of which serves as the cover over the coupons and offers as shown in FIG. 1. The angular cut is not necessary, but helps the customer to lift the cover to expose the coupons and remaining offers. The use of the angular cut provides the cover over the corner 58. Removal of the tab then pulls away the angular cut to expose the corner 58. This exposes the instruction to peel open the coupon system. The face side of the panels is seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. The removal of tab 56 removes the right-hand strip of glue along that edge and also exposes the corner 58. This removal of the glue line and exposure of the corner permits easy access by the user to lift the panel 33. Lifting the panel 27 pulls loose the glue line at the edge 24, and successive unfolding of the coupon system pulls apart the glue line on the left side. This exposes the offers on tab 54 which has not been separated from the coupons. This is the condition seen in FIG. 3. 
     The important thing is that a plurality of the panels 28, 30, and 32 carry thereon indicia which represent variable value coupons. The tearing off of the tab or edge tear strip 56 tears away the information which is not chosen. Choosing the &#34;Safeway&#34; tab to pull off on the right pulls away the tab 56 which has all of the coupon offers to &#34;Lucky&#34; customers. The portions which remain represent &#34;Safeway&#34; coupon offers for &#34;Safeway&#34; customers. Similarly, if the left-hand tab 54 had been torn off choosing &#34;Lucky&#34; as the coupons desired, then the coupon offers to &#34;Safeway&#34; customers would have been torn away with the edge tab 54. Then the coupons would be &#34;Safeway&#34; coupon offers to &#34;Lucky&#34; customers. With one tab removal, all of the coupons are affected and all go one way or the other. Several coupons are connected together and are all of variable value. 
     This invention has been described in its presently preferred best mode, and it is clear that it is susceptible to numerous modifications, modes and embodiments within the ability of those skilled in the art and without the exercise of the inventive faculty. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is defined by the scope of the following claims.