Abstract:
An integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product that greatly improves the visibility and eye-catching ability of point-of-purchase (POP) coupon dispensers by integrating a printed card with a coupon-dispensing device. Various integral tab arrangements provided with the coupon dispenser and integrated card allow effortless attachment to a wide variety of desired locations in a retailing establishment. Additional advantages include easy refilling of the dispenser with coupons without dismantling and accommodation for attention-getting devices such as lights and voice modules.

Description:
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/938,451, entitled “Clamshell Coupon-Dispensing Device”, filed Aug. 24, 2001 and now abandoned, which in turn is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/644,518, entitled “Clamshell Promotional Signage Device” filed Aug. 24, 2000 and now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to coupon dispensers and particularly to a lightweight, transparent clamshell-type coupon dispenser that is adapted for attachment to a wide variety of desired advertising locations, is easily refilled with coupons, and includes an integral promotional signage product that increases visibility and advertising appeal of the dispenser. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     To stimulate the purchase of a particular product, it is highly desirable for retailers to provide promotional items, such as advertisements and coupons, at the point of purchase. At the retail establishment, the potential customer compares product attributes, prices, and perceived value just prior to making a purchasing decision. There are typically several brands of a given product side-by-side on the shelf making a potential customer&#39;s choice difficult. It is therefore very desirous to draw attention to a product by providing a coupon as close as possible to the point of purchase. 
     An example of a prior art coupon dispenser is given in U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,356 and consists of a box having a stiffening plate and a coil spring and a pad to urge coupons toward a box opening. The box of U.S. Patent &#39;356 includes suction cups attached by means of screws for the purpose of mounting the box to a flat surface. Although the coupon dispenser of U.S. Patent &#39;356 provides a suitable coupon dispenser, it has the disadvantages of being complex, heavy and bulky, restricted to indoor use, and is limited in the manner in which it may be mounted in a retail establishment. The dispenser is complex, heavy and bulky as a result of the many separate parts involved, such as the box, stiffener, metal spring, pad, and suction cups including fasteners. Use of the coupon dispenser of U.S. Patent &#39;356 would be limited to indoors use as a result of its paper construction. This prior art coupon dispenser, as a result of the suction cup fasteners, limits itself to attachment to flat surfaces. The box of U.S. Patent &#39;356 also has a limited advertising space consisting of only the outer surface of the box which may contain printing to draw attention to the coupons within. 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/938,451, entitled “Clamshell Coupon-Dispensing Device”, filed by the present inventor on Aug. 24, 2001 and incorporated herein entirely by reference, provided a relatively inexpensive coupon dispensing device that can be attached to a variety of typical locations in a retailing establishment, can be easily refilled without dismantling, and can accommodate attention-getting devices such as lights and voice modules. Although this application provided a coupon dispenser that improved upon prior art coupon-dispensing devices, the dispenser was still limited in the amount of advertising space available for catching the potential purchaser&#39;s attention. The eye-catching features of the coupon dispenser of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 09/938,451 was limited to the inserted light and voice modules and the printing on the coupons which is visible through the transparent walls of the dispenser. Coupons as used in a retail establishment are typically small and therefore present limited a very small printed area for grabbing the potential buyer&#39;s attention. So, although the coupon dispenser of U.S. pat. application Ser. No. 09/938,451 improved upon many features of the prior art coupon dispensers, it still provided limited print space for capturing the customer&#39;s attention. 
     The present invention provides an integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product that greatly improves the visibility and eye-catching ability of point-of-purchase (POP) coupon dispensers by integrating a printed card with a relatively inexpensive coupon-dispensing device. The coupon dispenser and integrated card include features to allow easy attachment to a wide variety of desired locations in a retailing establishment. Additional advantages include easily refilling of the dispenser with coupons without dismantling and accommodation for attention-getting devices such as lights and voice modules. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product of the present invention therefore provides the advantage of greatly increased printed advertising area, vastly increasing the visibility and eye-catching ability of the coupon dispenser. 
     The integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product of the present invention also provides features to allow easy attachment to a variety of surfaces in a point-of-purchase retailing location. 
     A further advantage of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product is that the coupon-dispensing portion can be readily and easily refilled. 
     An additional advantage of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product is that it includes the capability to accommodate attention-getting devices such as lights and voice modules. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is an integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product that improves the visibility and effectiveness of coupon dispensing in a point-of-purchase setting. The coupon dispenser consists of a transparent dispenser of clamshell construction. Two panels are connected by an integral hinge and one or both panels include outward extending cavities. A securing arrangement is provided to secure the panels when closed and also to capture and secure a promotional signage card within the panels. Folding the clamshell creates one or more coupon repositories formed by the joining of cavities in mirror-image positions in either panel or between a cavity in one panel and the panel wall in the opposite panel. The coupon dispenser and integrated card include a variety of attachment arrangements to allow easy attachment to a wide variety of substrates in a retailing establishment. A slot may be provided to allow easily refilling of the dispenser with coupons without dismantling it. Recesses are provided in the panels for inclusion of attention-getting devices such as lights and voice modules. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product of the present invention with the clamshell coupon dispenser in its open configuration and the promotional signage product positioned to be captured by the clamshell dispenser when closed. 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the promotional signage product portion of the first embodiment shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of the integrated coupon dispenser portion of the first embodiment shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product of FIG. 1 in its closed state with the promotional signage product secured within the dispenser. 
     FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a fastener tab according to the present invention attached to a price channel. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the fastener tab secured to a fuel hose by a cable tie. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the fastener tab with a suction cup secured thereto. 
     FIG. 10 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the integrated coupon dispenser according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the integrated coupon dispenser with the U-shaped slit of the dispenser inserted into a price channel. 
     FIG. 12 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product in its open configuration and showing a dispenser with bendable tabs and apertures to allow attachment to a flat surface. 
     FIG. 13 is a plan view of the third embodiment of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product of FIG. 12 shown in its closed state. 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product of FIG. 12 with the bendable tabs bent outwards at 90°. 
     FIG. 15 is an end view of the third embodiment of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product as viewed along line  15 — 15  of FIG.  14 . 
     FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line  16 — 16  of FIG.  14 . 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Table of Nomenclature 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Part No. 
                 Part Description 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 20 
                 integrated coupon dispenser and promotional 
               
               
                   
                 signage product (first embodiment) 
               
               
                 22 
                 coupon dispenser 
               
               
                 24 
                 promotional signage product 
               
               
                 26 
                 first panel 
               
               
                 28 
                 second panel 
               
               
                 30 
                 integral hinge 
               
               
                 32 
                 inner surface of first panel 
               
               
                 34 
                 inner surface of second panel 
               
               
                 36 
                 cavity 
               
               
                 38 
                 coupon-dispensing opening 
               
               
                 40 
                 extensions 
               
               
                 42 
                 depressions 
               
               
                 44 
                 cutouts 
               
               
                 46 
                 recesses 
               
               
                 48 
                 nubs 
               
               
                 50 
                 apertures (in panel) 
               
               
                 52 
                 flexible tabs 
               
               
                 54 
                 tab apertures 
               
               
                 56 
                 base notches 
               
               
                 58 
                 shouter recess 
               
               
                 60 
                 aperture (for light) 
               
               
                 61 
                 printed characters 
               
               
                 62 
                 enclosure 
               
               
                 64 
                 peripheral flange 
               
               
                 72 
                 price channel 
               
               
                 74 
                 fuel hose 
               
               
                 76 
                 cable tie 
               
               
                 78 
                 suction cup 
               
               
                 80 
                 integrated coupon dispenser and 
               
               
                   
                 promotional signage product 
               
               
                   
                 (second embodiment) 
               
               
                 82 
                 extended flange 
               
               
                 84 
                 U-shaped slit 
               
               
                 86 
                 elongated tab 
               
               
                 88 
                 top edge of second panel 
               
               
                 90 
                 front lip of price channel 
               
               
                 100  
                 integrated coupon dispenser and 
               
               
                   
                 promotional signage product 
               
               
                   
                 (third embodiment) 
               
               
                 102  
                 bendable tabs 
               
               
                 104  
                 apertures 
               
               
                 106  
                 thin-wall section 
               
               
                 108  
                 registering edges of bendable tabs 
               
               
                 110  
                 flat surface 
               
               
                 112  
                 coupons 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a first and preferred embodiment of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product  20  of the present invention is depicted in its open configuration. The integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product includes a clamshell-type coupon dispenser  22  and a promotional signage product  24  that is captured securely by the coupon dispenser when it is closed. Typically, the coupon dispenser  22  is transparent and fabricated from a suitable polymer, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, in a thermoforming operation. The coupon dispenser  22  includes a first  26  and a second  28  panel joined by an integral hinge  30 . The coupon dispenser  22  is depicted with the inner surfaces  32 ,  34  of the first  26  and second  28  panels facing the viewer of FIG.  1 . The first embodiment of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product  20  is depicted with a cavity  36  that extends outwardly from the inner surface  32  of the first panel  26 . A coupon-dispensing opening  38  is included approximate the mid-point of the cavity  36 . A securing arrangement is provided with the coupon dispenser  22  to enable the two panels  26 ,  28  to be locked together and includes extensions  40  formed in the second panel  28  and depressions  42  in the first panel  26  that will be in alignment upon closure of the panels. The promotional signage product  24  includes cutouts  44  that are provided in an amount equal in number to and in alignment with the extensions  40  in the second panel  28 . The cutouts  44  enable the promotional signage product  24  to be overlaid on the extensions  40  in the second panel. The securing arrangement includes one or more recesses  46  formed transversely in the extensions  40  and an equal number of mating nubs  48  formed in the depressions  42  such that closure of the panels  26 ,  28  about the integral hinge  30  causes the mating nubs  48  to snap fit into the recesses  46  thereby locking the promotional signage product  24  inside the coupon dispenser  22 . The promotional signage product  24  typically consists of a printed card that is stiff, thereby causing the promotional signage product  24  to extend from the coupon dispenser  22  when closed therein and not easily fold over or bend. 
     Several attachment arrangements are provided with the first embodiment of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product  20  to allow it to be easily anchored in a typical point-of-purchase retailing location, including apertures  50  in the back or second panel  28  that may be later affixed with suction cup members  78  (see FIG. 1 ) to provide a means for securing the dispenser and signage product  20  to a flat surface. An additional attachment arrangement consists of one or more flexible tabs  52  extending from an edge of one or both of the panels  26 ,  28  of the coupon dispenser  22 . The first embodiment is depicted in FIG. 1 with two flexible tabs  52  on each panel  26  and  28 , with the flexible tabs  52  in a mirror-image location on each panel such that closure of the coupon dispenser  22  will cause the flexible tabs  52  to register with its matching tab on the opposite panel. The flexible tabs  52  are typically provided with a plurality of tab apertures  54  as shown, and may also be provided with base notches  56  that facilitate attachment of the coupon dispenser  22  to a variety of desired point-of-purchase surfaces and objects as will be later described herein. For increased visual appeal, the coupon dispenser  22  may also be provided with a shouter recess  58  and an aperture  60  for protrusion of a light (not shown) from the shouter recess. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cutouts  44  are typically stamped in the promotional signage product  24  such that they will align with the extensions  40  on the back or second panel  28  and the depressions  42  on the front or first panel  26 . The promotional signage product  24  is typically contains printed characters  61  in bold colors and letters to draw attention to the coupon dispenser  22  that it will become integral with upon closure of the clamshell-type dispenser. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, once the two panels  26 ,  28  of the coupon dispenser  22  are closed around the promotional signage product  24 , the signage product is held securely by the action of the nubs  48  of the depressions  42  in the first panel  26  snap fitting into the recesses of the extensions (not shown). The promotional signage product  24  typically extends substantially beyond the outer periphery of the coupon dispenser  22  as shown. Provision of a large promotional signage product or card  24  that extends substantially beyond the outer periphery of the coupon dispenser  22 , as shown in FIG. 4, greatly increases the eye-catching ability of the coupon dispenser. This dramatic increase in available print area greatly increases the effectiveness of the typical point-of-purchase coupon dispenser, making it much more visible to the shopper and increasing the likelihood the shopper will extract a coupon from the dispenser. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, a sectional view of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product  20  taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG. 4 shows the promotional signage product  24  sandwiched between the first  26  and second  28  panels of the coupon dispenser  22 . The panels  26 ,  28  and card  24  are securely held by the securing arrangement that includes depressions  42  in the first panel  26  that are sized to form a snug fit within extensions  40  in the second panel  28 . One or more recesses  46  are formed transversely in the extensions  40  and an equal number of mating nubs (not shown) are formed in the depressions  42  to secure the panels once they are snapped together. 
     As shown in FIG. 6, a sectional view of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product  20  taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 4, closure of the first  26  and second  28  panels creates an enclosure  62  formed by the second panel  28  sealing around the peripheral flange portion  64  surrounding the cavity  36 . The enclosure  62  is available for insertion of printed coupons (not shown). 
     Several typical methods of securing the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product to a typical retail sales location are shown in FIGS. 7 through 9. FIG. 7 shows a cutaway portion of an integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product according to the present invention depicting a flexible tab  52  that has been compressed transversely and slipped into a typical price channel  72  in a retail establishment such as a grocery store. The opposing notches  56  allow the flexible tab  52  to bend easily and slip easily into the price channel  72 . FIG. 8 depicts the use of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product as an advertising medium connected to a fuel hose  74  with a cable tie  76  passing through the tab apertures  54  and securing the integrated dispenser and signage product (cutaway portion shown) to the hose  74 . FIG. 9 depicts a method of securing the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product (cutaway portion shown) to a flat surface (not shown) that includes snapping a suction cup  78  through one of the available tab apertures  54  as shown. 
     Referring to FIG. 10, a second embodiment of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product  80  according to the present invention includes an alternate attachment arrangement consisting of an extended flange portion  82  coplanar with the back or second panel  28  and a U-shaped slit  84  formed in the extended flange  82  thereby creating an elongated tab  86 . As shown in FIG. 11, the top edge  88  of the second panel  28  can be placed in the top of a price channel  72  and the elongated tab  86  pushed outward of the extended flange  82  and into the bottom portion of the price channel. The top edge  88  of the extended flange  82  and the bottom of the elongated tab  86  thereby are captured by the front lip  90  of the price channel  72  therein securing and supporting the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product  80 . 
     Referring to FIG. 12, a third embodiment of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product  100  includes bendable tabs  102  and apertures  104  to allow insertion of suction cups (not shown) for attachment to a flat surface. The first  26  and second  28  panels typically include thin wall portions  106  (phantom lines) to permit easy bending to form the bendable tabs  102 . As shown in FIG. 13, the bendable tabs  102  have registering edges  108  upon closure of the coupon dispenser  22 . 
     As shown in FIG. 14, the bendable tabs  102  of the third embodiment of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product  100  may be bent outwards at 90° to enable attachment to a flat surface  110 . Alternately, the bendable tabs may be bent to other degrees to accommodate other surfaces, such as one bendable tab left planar with the panel and the opposite bendable tab bent at 90° to accommodate a 90° corner. As shown in the side view of FIG. 15, the third embodiment of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product  100  provides a coupon enclosure  62  integral with a promotional signage product  24  for attachment to a surface (not shown) via suction cups  78  inserted through apertures  104  in the bendable tabs  102 . 
     FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along line  16 — 16  of FIG. 14 including a stack of coupons  112  inserted within the coupon enclosure  62  created by the wall of the cavity  36  and the wall of the second panel  28 . The top coupon in the stack may be withdrawn by pulling it through the coupon-dispensing opening  38 . The bendable tabs  102  are shown bent at 90° from the side panels  26 ,  28 . 
     Although all embodiments of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product shown herein depict one cavity formed in one panel, additional cavities could be formed in the same panel to form multiple coupon enclosures, or cavities could be formed in each panel in mirror-image positions thereby forming double-wide coupon enclosures extending outwardly from each side of the closed panels. 
     The promotional signage product is typically formed from paperboard but can also be formed of any material that exhibits proper stiffness and good print reproduction. The preferred material is therefore paperboard but can also be plastic, wood, or metal. 
     The preferred method of forming the promotional signage product is by printing and die-cutting paperboard. 
     The coupon dispensing opening can be oriented in a horizontal or vertical direction to allow stacking and withdrawal of coupons in the manner preferred by the user. 
     Coupons are typically stacked together without adhesive with alternate folds from either side such that withdrawal of the top coupon causes the top of the next coupon in the stack to advance through the coupon-dispensing opening. Alternately, coupons may also be attached together on alternating edges in accordion fashion and withdrawn individually without any tacky residue remaining after removal, such as the pad of adhesively secured sheets described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,153,278 to Taylor Corporation of North Mankato, Minnesota. 
     The integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product of the present invention may be made suitable for display outdoors by constructing it such that the hinge is located at the top of the dispenser and by providing a promotional signage product that is waterproof and printed with waterproof inks. An example of a waterproof embodiment is shown in FIG. 14 which depicts the hinge  30  located at the top of the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product  100 . This embodiment also could be modified to accommodate other attachment arrangements, such as replacing the bendable tabs  102  with flexible tabs (not shown) to allow attachment to hoses or similar objects. The flexible tabs could be located on the side of the coupon dispenser  22  as well as the bottom. 
     For indoor use, the integrated coupon dispenser and promotional signage product of the present invention could be provided with a replenishment slot  114  (see FIG. 14) to allow easy refilling of the coupon enclosure. The replenishment slot would typically be located on the top of the cavity. 
     Methods for the production of the coupon-dispensing device of the present invention are well known in the art. For example, blow molding, thermoforming, or injection molding of transparent plastics is well known and entirely appropriate for production of the present invention. The coupon-dispensing device of the present invention is preferably molded from a transparent plastic material so that the major surfaces, such as the panels, are transparent and allow potential customers to view the printed coupons within. 
     As alluded to hereinabove, the various embodiments of the coupon dispensing, device of the present invention, in addition to being suitable for the dispensing of coupons, can also be used to display sample products by the simple expedient of modifying one or both of panels  26 ,  28  to accept the specified product sample in the molding process and eliminating any dispensing apertures. 
     As the invention as been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art tat the same may be varied in many ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Any and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.