Abstract:
A unique packaging method is disclosed. The method advertises products related to a product shipped in a box and comprises obtaining a box, placing a product in the box, and identifying a particular product category associated with the product being shipped in the box. This may be followed by obtaining an elongated flexible planar member having a width and a length substantially greater than the width, the planar member having an upper surface and a lower surface. The flexible planar member is provided with a layer of adhesive material deposited on and covering a substantial portion of the lower surface to form a packaging tape. The tape is imprinted with indicia comprising visually perceivable information to provide a purchaser with information relating to various products within the particular product category by disposing the information on the upper surface of the tape. The box is sealed with the tape. The method thus serves to particularly well-target advertising, as it is sent to consumers of known products. At the same time the invention provides the advantage of low-cost as compared to dedicated printed packages.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/069,440 filed Apr. 29, 1998 which is, in turn, a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/970,283, filed Nov. 14,1997. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an advertising method using packaging tape with advertising and other printed information disposed on the exterior of the tape.  
         STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0003]    Not Applicable.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0004]    Over the years, a wide variety of advertising methods employing graphic devices have been applied to packaging. Marks applied to packages include the trademark of a product contained within the package and are a common everyday experience. Examples include such diverse products as soft drinks, film, and cigars, all of which come in packages with their own particular type of markings.  
           [0005]    In the most typical case, a cardboard package dedicated to a particular product is printed with information relating to that product. Thus, a package of film is printed with the number of exposures, the size of the frame, and the speed of the film. This information is valuable in the context of showing the contents of the box and provides for inventory control, advertisement of the mark of the maker, advertisement of the particular product enclosed, and so forth. Other related products may also be advertised on the box.  
           [0006]    While there are a great many stock boxes available for packaging goods, because of the advantages associated with printed boxes dedicated to particular products, manufacturers almost always opt for a printed box. This is so even though such printed boxes are very expensive to manufacture, requiring such expensive tasks as the development of art suited to the box, and the use of a high quality material to make the box. For example, in a typical box of the corrugated cardboard type, the corrugated cardboard box would have an external veneer of high quality white paperboard laminated to the outside surface to receive the printing. Such paper board may be a coated stock and the box manufacturer may also apply a varnish to the surface to finish it.  
           [0007]    While the finished product may be exceedingly attractive, the added costs associated with the use of higher quality materials, development of extensive amounts of color art, and finally the printing in full color of the boxes, make such packages a significant fraction of the product cost, as they often cost as much as five or ten times the cost of a plain box.  
           [0008]    In the case of a corrugated cardboard box, which is typically of a size which results in a capacity of 1 to 20 cubic feet, the large size of the box presents a correspondingly large expense with respect to materials, art and printing plates. In addition to this, the thickness of the unprinted cardboard material presents special handling problems related to the necessity of keeping the material flat during printing, not degrading the corrugated cardboard structure, and running the printing machine at a relatively low speed which enables the consistent handling of a cumbersome piece of corrugated cardboard.  
           [0009]    Indeed, because of the high cost of packages which include full color information, companies using these packages are often hesitant to discard them when products change or other things occur which require the labeling on the package be amended. Because of this, it is not unheard of to see packages on the shelves of stores which have stickers adhered over portions of their graphical or alphanumeric content for the purpose of covering incorrect data or putting correct or additional data on the box.  
           [0010]    Such expedients are also resorted to when, even though the particular product involved and can easily support the economic costs associated with a box change, the change must be made promptly, and the expensive artwork, production tooling and scheduling, and so forth cannot be made quickly enough to accommodate the business needs associated with the change in packaging.  
           [0011]    Because of these problems, numerous mechanisms have been utilized to avoid the delays and costs of printed packages. For example, food products are often sold in packages which are made of clear plastic and are marked with self-adhesive stickers made of paper or other similar material. However, this sort of approach looks odd when applied to other sorts of packages, such as corrugated cardboard cartons, opaque paperboard cartons, and other similar types of packages. In addition, the use of self-adhesive stickers also imposes significant additional costs, although the same are likely to be significantly less than the cost associated with custom full color product-specific packaging.  
           [0012]    It is also known to apply graphic elements to boxes by printing these graphic elements on adhesive tape. Perhaps the most common of graphic elements which are imprinted on adhesive and non-adhesive members are package tampering warnings, such as “Do not use if seal is broken”.  
           [0013]    It is also known to apply decorative graphic elements to adhesive tape. Such decorative graphic elements may comprise geometric patterns, bright colors, holiday or other occasion thematic elements, alphanumeric indicators and the like.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0014]    The invention, as claimed, is intended to provide a remedy. It solves the problem of how to put information on a box without running into the problems and costs associated with a printed box. Moreover, the cost of extra elements, such as labels and stickers, is avoided. By utilizing the inventive adhesive tape, with information printed on the tape, a manufacturer can use the same type of plain corrugated box for all products, and achieve the same effect as if a printed box had been used.  
           [0015]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention consists of a method using plain corrugated cardboard box which has been cut and folded in the conventional manner. The bottom and edges of the box are then secured by applying strips of the inventive tape printed with the desired information. After packing the box with the proper product and packing material, the top of the box can then secured by applying the inventive tape printed with the same or differing information. Information on the tape is keyed to the contents of the box in order to target advertising content.  
           [0016]    The inventive method uses tape which is applied to the top, bottom and edges of the box is printed with various types of information, such as advertising for this or other products, entertaining items adapted to engage and retain interest, pictures, alphanumeric information or any other information that the manufacturer feels appropriate. The inventive tape can also be color coded to indicate the product category of the product contained within the package or the actual product within the box. Where a particular color indicates a category of products, in accordance with the invention, one may use differing shades or hues of the same color for each particular product or subgroup of products. The color coding can also identify which product line the contents of the package is from.  
           [0017]    Another function of the inventive tape is to convey advertising information about differing products to the purchaser of the product contained within the package. The purchaser may or may not be aware of the different accessories, features, or other lines of products carried by the manufacturer. Therefore when the purchaser receives the product contained within a package utilizing the inventive tape, he or she is made aware of other products that may also be useful in their endeavors.  
           [0018]    By using tape imprinted with information the manufacturer can provide an attractive shipping container, which contains all of the advantages of a printed box, without having the any drawbacks that are associated with printed boxes. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    One way of carrying out the invention is described in detail below with reference to drawings which illustrate only one specific embodiment of the invention and in which:  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a section of tape made in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tape of FIG. 1;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tape of the present invention in the form of a roll for easy dispensing and use;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tape of the present invention partially unrolled;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is a plan view of a cardboard cutout, useful for making the inventive shipping container, prior to assembly;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 a  is a plan view of the top of a partially constructed shipping container utilized in the inventive package and method prior to assembly;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 b  is a plan view of the bottom of the shipping container of FIG. 6A;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a shipping container assembly in accordance with the inventive system;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 is a plan view of the bottom of the shipping container showing the inventive adhesive tape during implementation of the preferred embodiment of the inventive method;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9 is a plan view of the bottom of the inventive shipping container;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the inventive shipping container;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the inventive shipping container;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 12 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the tape of the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 13 is a top plan view of another alternative embodiment of the tape of the present invention;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 14 is a top plan view of yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0035]    [0035]FIGS. 15-16 illustrate alternative tapes useful with the method of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0036]    Referring to FIG. 1, the inventive method uses a section of tape  10  in accordance with the packaging system of the present invention. In particular, tape  10  comprises a long planar member  12 , which can be constructed out of paper, plastic or any other suitable material, imprinted with various types of information consisting of pictures  14 , alphanumeric information  16  and other material  18 .  
         [0037]    The construction of tape  10  may be seen more clearly with reference to FIG. 2. In particular, tape  10  comprises, in accordance with the preferred embodiment, a paper planar member  12 . Typically, planar member  12  will have a width in the range between 1 and 10 centimeters, or any width typical of adhesive tape products commonly on the market today.  
         [0038]    As can be seen clearly in FIG. 2, tape  10  has a top surface  20 . Ink  22  is deposited on top surface  20  to form the various items of printed matter on tape  10 , such as pictures  14 , alphanumeric information  16 , and other material  18 . The underside of planar member  12  is covered by a layer of adhesive  24 . Adhesive  24  may be any suitable adhesive employed in the packaging tape art, such as a water activated adhesive, or a self-adhesive material of the type which merely has to be removed from the roll before use, as in the case of ordinary transparent tape, where the user must merely unroll the tape which he wishes to use and press it against the surface to which it is to be adhered.  
         [0039]    As is illustrated in FIG. 3, tape  10  may be put in the form of a conventional roll  26 , for convenient application of tape  10 . Roll  26  is formed by wrapping tape  10  on a hard cardboard spool  28  in a manner conventional to the packaging tape industry. In order to make an unused role of tape  26  easy for the user to start, the underside of the end  30  of tape  10  on roll  26  is provided with a paper or paperboard member  32 , as illustrated in phantom lines in FIGS. 2 and 3, which prevents it from sticking to the rest of the roll. Such structures are well known in the art, and typically consist of adhesion of member  32  to a water activated tape, or by adherence of member  32  to a portion of adhesive exposed at the end of a roll of self-adhesive tape. This allows tape  10  to easily unroll as is illustrated in FIG. 4.  
         [0040]    In accordance with the present invention, it is anticipated that the inventive tape  10  will be used with relatively conventional packages, such as a conventional corrugated cardboard box of the type illustrated in FIGS. 5-11. In FIG. 5 corrugated cardboard member  33  to be formed into box  34 , is shown prior to assembly. As illustrated, corrugated cardboard member  33  is cut along solid lines  36 ,  37 ,  38 ,  39 ,  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 , and  50  in order to form flaps  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 , and  78 . Box  34  is also scored so it can be folded along phantom lines  52 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 , and  94 . In addition, securement tongue  54  has been cut out along line  56 . This allows glue to be applied to surface  53  between tongue  54  and the overlying surface of panel  57  as shown in FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b . Box  34  is then folded so that the glued portion of tongue  54  and panel  57  come into contact. Box  34  is now in the form as illustrated in FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b.    
         [0041]    Generally, corrugated cardboard box  34 , is shipped from the manufacturer in a partially constructed state as illustrated on one side in FIG. 6 a  and on the reverse side in FIG. 6 b . Corrugated cardboard box  34  is then assembled and packed by the company wishing to employ the inventive tape and method.  
         [0042]    Fabrication of box  34  both in the partially constructed flat state as illustrated in FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b  and in the final assembled state, as illustrated in FIG. 7, is accommodated by providing the box with scoring along lines  52 ,  58 ,  60 , and  62 . These scoring lines allow formation of the box into a rectangular tubular form. Closing of its flaps  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 , and  78  is accommodated by the scoring along lines  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92  and  94 , respectively. During assembly of corrugated cardboard box  34  into the flat state illustrated in obverse in FIG. 6 a , and in reverse in FIG. 6 b , the corrugated cardboard sheet, after the scoring has been done, is folded along lines  58  and  60 .  
         [0043]    When it is desired to construct a box in accordance with the method of the present invention, in order to form the inventive shipping container, one first takes the container in the standard partially constructed flat shape, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b , and compresses it into a tubular shape by the application of force in the direction indicated by arrows  96  and  98  through the folds along lines  52  and  60 , respectively. This causes the obverse and reverse of the flat box to reform along lines  51  and  58 , respectively. The application of force in the directions indicated by arrows  100 ,  102 ,  104  and  106 , allows one to then depress the flaps from the position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 7 to the final constructed positions shown in solid lines.  
         [0044]    More particularly, flap  74  is folded in the direction of arrow  104 . Flap  66  is then folded down in the direction of arrow  106 . Next flaps  78  and  70  are folded to complete the bottom of the box.  
         [0045]    It then becomes necessary to form the bottom of the box by applying a piece of tape  108  crosswise, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Next a piece of tape  110  is applied to the carton lengthwise. The edges of the carton are then closed as illustrated in FIG. 9. This is achieved by application of pieces of tape  112  and  114 , along the sides of the box.  
         [0046]    In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, all tape used to perform the sealing of the carton is tape  10 , which is imprinted with information in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0047]    Once this has been done, the carton may be packed in a conventional manner. Such packing may be achieved with the use of dedicated packing materials, such as molded foam plastic elements, fitted to the shape of the particular item being packed. Alternatively, shredded paper, foam plastic “peanuts”, or any other appropriate expedient may be used.  
         [0048]    After this is done, the package is ready to be closed, and flap  72  is folded in the direction indicated by arrow  100  along score line  88 . Similarly, flap  64  is folded along score line  80  in the direction indicated by arrow  102 . Flaps  68  and  76  are then folded into the positions shown in solid lines in FIG. 7.  
         [0049]    It is then necessary to finish the packaging operation by applying tape of the type illustrated in FIG. 1 to the top of the corrugated cardboard carton using the application steps illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. The result is a finished package  116  constructed in accordance with the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 10.  
         [0050]    While the above discussion has centered on the use of paper and plastic tapes, it is to be understood that the invention is applicable to tapes of all sorts and varieties known and as may be discovered in the future. Such tapes include nylon reinforced tape, asphaltic tape, paper tapes reinforced with crosswise, lengthwise and diagonal nylon members, plastic tapes reinforced with lengthwise nylon threads, and so forth.  
         [0051]    Because of the use of the inventive tape, such as the tape illustrated in FIG. 1, in the fabrication of the inventive package  116 , the inventive package  116  has numerous advantages over conventionally packaged products. In particular, this package has advertising on it. The advertising is keyed to the particular product contained within inventive package  116 . In addition, the information on the tape, illustrating products as it does, also gives information about the type of product inside. It thus acts as a means for insuring that the particular carton containing a particular product is kept in its place, for example, in a warehouse, or the like. Such identification is particularly easy to see due to the use of color and numerous other features which may be used extensively on the inventive tape.  
         [0052]    In order to better understand the above advantages of the inventive packing tape and packages, such as finished container  116  embodying the package of the present invention, reference is made to FIG. 1.  
         [0053]    The inventive tape  10  includes a number of illustrations of products in a given product family. These illustrations  118  are illustrations of products that are in the same product family as the contents of finished container  116 . In accordance with the preferred embodiment, illustrations  118  are in full color in order to convey product information and also serve as advertising. The particular products which are in illustrations  118  are selected because they not only identify a particular product family and thus serve to mark finished packages for purposes of inventory control, but also for advertising purposes, insofar as purchasers of products of the type contained within the finished container  116  are highly likely to purchase products of the type shown in illustrations  118 .  
         [0054]    In addition, the inventive tape may be color-coded by having a colored background  120 . However as illustrated in FIG. 1, background  120  is white and color coding is provided by squares of color  122  adjacent illustrations of products  124 . Additional advertising value is provided by marking the inventive tape with the name of a manufacturer as illustrated by company name  126  and company logo  128 . The inventive tape may also be marked with an alphanumeric indication of the product family as illustrated by marking  130 . It is also possible for the inventive tape to serve as a device for indicating whether or not the package has been tampered with and advising the customer of the same via the alphanumeric advice  16  which reads:  
       “IF SEAL ON TAPE IS BROKEN-PLEASE DO NOT ACCEPT PACKAGE”.  
       [0055]    An alternative embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 11. Generally, similar parts or parts performing analogous, corresponding or identical functions to those of the FIG. 10 embodiment are numbered herein with numbers which differ from those of the earlier embodiment by multiples of one hundred.  
         [0056]    In accordance with the present invention, it is anticipated that plain brown corrugated cardboard boxes may be used. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, a corrugated cardboard box with a white paper veneer is employed. While the box may be completely unprinted, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the finished package  216 , illustrated in FIG. 11, includes a number of graphic devices conveying warnings. These graphic devices are imprinted on the flat corrugated carton while it is in the form illustrated in FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b  with respect to an unprinted corrugated cardboard carton. More particularly, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the corrugated cardboard box is imprinted with graphic devices which include a water hazard warning device  232 , a fragility warning device  234 , an orientation warning device  236 , and a device  239  indicating the recyclability of the carton.  
         [0057]    Referring to FIG. 12, yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the inventive tape  310  has illustrations  318  showing products of the type that will be enclosed in the inventive package. Likewise, tape  310  includes such things as the web address of a company  330 , and illustrations of a cartoon spokesperson  332  and an 1-800 number  334  for the company using the tape, or any other company information such as an electronic address. In addition, tape  310  includes product pricing indicia  336 , and thus can function as a catalog. If desired, the tape can also be printed in full color for added impact as an advertising medium. In addition, it is noted that as an advertising medium, the tape need not be keyed in its product offering content to the products on the inside of the finished box. However, it is believed that such tapes, will be most effective as an advertising medium when the products illustrated on the tape bear a commercial relationship to the products inside the package on which the tape is used.  
         [0058]    An alternative version of the type of tape illustrated in FIG. 12, is illustrated in FIG. 13. In this embodiment tape  410  has a content similar to that of tape  310 , except that such content is divided into cells  438  and  440 . As can be seen in FIG. 13, cells  438  are oriented in one direction, while cells  440  are oriented in the opposite direction. Cells  438  alternate with cells  440  along the entire length of the tape, thus resulting in a tape which is readable regardless of its orientation.  
         [0059]    Still yet another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 14. In this embodiment, the invented tape  510  has many of the features of the tapes illustrated in the earlier embodiment&#39;s. However, the tape also includes a cartoon strip  542 . Cartoon strip  542  in accordance with the present invention, is contemplated as having a content related to the particular product enclosed in the package. In the context of present invention, it is also contemplated that the cartoon strip will have a humorous content. For example, if the contents of the package constitutes engineering instrumentation, it is anticipated that the cartoon strip will feature humorous subject matter dealing with engineers.  
         [0060]    Thus, in accordance with the invention, the humorous content of the comic strip is selected for its appeal to the anticipated readers. In addition, humor is known for its physiological effects. These effects are known to be positive. Generally, these effects involve the release of chemicals in the brain which promote a feeling of well-being, as well as a positive outlook. The combination of these pleasurable sensations and the messages contained on the tape, respecting the products of the person using the tape as advertising, will cooperate to result in particularly effective advertising.  
         [0061]    The tape  510 , as illustrated in FIG. 14 is also divided into a number of cells. Each of the cells is divided into parts. The first of these parts is a comic strip part  544 , while the second part is an advertising portion  546 . The comic strip portion and the advertising portion are within a single cell  550 , and are oriented in the same direction. The cells are then arranged in a repeating sequence along the entire length of the tape, alternately oriented in one direction and then in the opposite direction. This ensures that when the tape is viewed on a package, regardless of the orientation of package, the tape will be readable.  
         [0062]    Still yet another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 15. In this embodiment, the inventive tape  610  has many of the features of the tapes illustrated in the earlier embodiments. The tape includes a cartoon strip portion  642 , and an advertising portion  646 . The cartoon strip portion  642  comprises a series of related cartoon cells  644 . Each of the cells  642  contains one or a number of different characters. In the case of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15, this character or characters are in fact, and are intended to be in accordance with the present invention characters who are well-known to the general public. Thus, the strip is calculated to engage the attention of persons familiar with such well-known character or characters and who are, to varying extents, fans of such character or characters. When read from start to finish the cartoon strip has a story line, and provides an enjoyable, humorous and entertaining encounter for the reader. In addition, as in the previous embodiments, the story line is related to the work of the individuals who are the targeted consumers for the advertising material on the tape.  
         [0063]    The tape  610  illustrated in FIG. 15 has yet another feature which is calculated to dramatically increase response. In particular, advertising portion  646  advertises of the availability for free of a plurality of books  647  including valuable information of a scientific nature. Books  647 , which are also well-known to members of the consuming public, include information on various fields of technology such as pressure measurement, load measurement, data acquisition, temperature measurement and control, environmental monitoring, fluid handling, signal conditioning, and the like. Each of these fields are illustrative of the fields which may be covered by various books  647 . Books  647  also include numerous products useful in the fields to which they are devoted.  
         [0064]    As a result, persons seeing these books and the telephone number  649  are likely to be induced to call the telephone number and request the books. This has two good effects. Firstly, information will be given to the engineers who order these books, enabling them to more efficiently and better perform their duties. In addition, information is arranged in the books in such a way that the particular products particularly relevant to the particular scientific topics being explained are in close proximity, thereby increasing the likelihood that an engineer in possession of such a book and working on a problem related to back covered in the book will purchase the required products from the book, which thus also serves as a catalog.  
         [0065]    The information in the books can, in addition to serving as a scientific text, also function as more than a simple catalog. In particular, it can also provide detailed information on some or all company product lines. This information can include specific features and specifications of the products, as well as scientific and technical manuals.  
         [0066]    The tape  610 , as illustrated in FIG. 15, also provides the observer with other useful information. This information can consist of a web or Internet address  630 , an e-mail address  632 , an 800 number  634 , and the company&#39;s address  636 . All of the preceding characteristics provide the reader with avenues to obtain more information on the particular company or products of interest. This method of advertising can be particularly useful, in that the cartoons strip may attract the readers interest. In addition, while reading the cartoons other information about the company is within the peripheral vision of the reader.  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 16 depicts a packaging tape  710  with a printed cell  711  which contains illustrations of books which also function as catalogs of the type illustrated by books  647  in FIG. 15. In this case, however, instead of the books being depicted one against the other with barely more than their spines showing, each of the books  747  is illustrated with its cover in full view. In addition, information respecting technical scientific information, as well as products, is detailed in area  753  for each of the books  747 . Finally, there is illustrated a brochure  755 , which details information of all publications such as books  747  available from the company using the tape as an advertising device. Also, as in the case of the tape of FIG. 15, the tape of FIG. 16 includes a company name or names, in this case Omega and Newport. This information can consist of a web or Internet address  730 , an e-mail address  732 , a telephone number  734 , and the company&#39;s address  736 . All of the preceding characteristics provide the reader with avenues to obtain more information on the particular company or products of interest.  
       Industrial Applicability  
       [0068]    The present invention is particularly suitable for application to modern industrial shipping techniques. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to distribute advertising material to very narrowly targeted potential customers. This is achieved by including tape bearing advertising material. The advantage of this method is that since one knows the exact nature of at least one particular product being ordered by the customer, a very good judgment can be made with respect to what other products that customer is likely to buy, and the name can be advertised on the tape used to seal the package customizing the product.  
         [0069]    Thus, in accordance with the method of the invention, advertising can be very effectively distributed to existing customers of an organization by determining the nature of products to be shipped to a customer at a particular point in time, and using this information to identify a product category within which the product to be shipped belongs. Once this product category is determined, other products within the product category may be determined. Because these products are in the same category, it is likely that the customer receiving a particular product being shipped is also likely to purchase other products within the category.  
         [0070]    Pictures or other information on other products in that category can then be obtained and applied to packing tape in accordance with the invention. When the time comes to ship the particular product, the tape depicting products in the same category as the product being shipped is then used to assemble and seal the package. In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that there will be numerous different tapes used in an organization for different categories of products. By selecting a particular tape for use in assembling and sealing a corrugated cardboard carton, the package thus bears a tape which serves the dual function of highly targeted advertising and providing a visual indication which helps keep the particular product in the proper area during warehousing and handling.  
         [0071]    While an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described above, it is, of course, understood that various modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited and defined only by the appended claims.