Patent Publication Number: US-2007113433-A1

Title: Pop-up structures with electronics

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application claims priority to and the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/733,249, filed Nov. 3, 2005; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Promotional pieces or novelty items such as pop-up calendars, advertising devices, etc. are generally used for conveying information and for decorating purposes.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is directed to pop-up structures, which incorporate electronic components. The pop-up structures are also referred to three-dimension display structures herein.  
      The pop-up structures are flat or substantially co-planar in an unassembled state and expand in size into a three-dimensional assembled state. The pop-up structures are made of a stiff foldable material, such as paper or cardboard. Other natural or man-made materials can be used, for example, but not limited to, leather or various types of plastics.  
      One or more electronic components are inserted and contained in at least one opening of the structure. The electronic components are held in at least one opening of the structure by an attachment means, such as, but not limited to, face-plates, hooks, brackets, clips, pins, screws, or adhesives.  
      The electronic components include, but are not limited to, clocks, calculators, calendars, weather stations, thermometers, radios, televisions, phones, speakers, two-way communication devices, alarms, motion or vibration detectors, data recorders, audio recorders, portable media players, running liquid crystal display (LCD) message banners or other viewing screens.  
      The pop-up structure can include printed elements such as designs, logos, and advertisements. Any variety of colors fonts and styles can be incorporated. In addition to printed elements applied with ink, paint or other dyes, the printed elements can be added by stamping, carving, etching, embossing and the like. Printed elements can also be included or inserted in openings of the structure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a picture of a support structure in the shape of a truck, in an unassembled state;  
       FIG. 2  is a picture of a support structure in the shape of a truck, in an assembled state;  
      FIGS.  3  A-D are diagrams of a support structure in the shape of a truck in various stages of assembly;  
      FIGS.  4  A-E are pictures of assembled support structures in the shape of a house, a pyramid, a slot machine, a cube and a hexagon, respectively;  
       FIG. 5  is a picture of a support structure in the shape of a house, in an unassembled state;  
      FIGS.  6  A-E are diagrams of a support structure in the shape of a house in various stages of assembly;  
       FIG. 7  is a picture of a support structure in the shape of a pyramid, in an unassembled state;  
       FIG. 8  is a picture of a support structure in the shape of a slot machine, in an unassembled state;  
       FIG. 9  is a picture of a support structure in the shape of a cube, in an unassembled state;  
       FIG. 10  is a picture of a support structure in the shape of a hexagon, in an unassembled state;  
       FIG. 11  is a picture of an exemplary electronic device, in this case a clock; and  
       FIGS. 12 A  and B are pictures of the clock component with the face plate removed and the back side of the face plate, respectively. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates to a combination a collapsible, flattenable pop-up structure formed of stiff foldable material, such as, but not limited to, paper, cardboard, leather or plastics with integrated electronics, and is referred to herein as Promo-Pops™. In the collapsed mode the structure is flattened into a thin substantially co-planar structure for storage or shipment. In the pop-up, assembled mode the structure is 3-dimensional. The pop-up contains at least one opening on at least one face of the 3-dimensional structure for insertion of an electronic device or printed promotional or aesthetic material.  
      A collapsible structure or display device is provided, in which the device is preferably constructed of a single sheet of material such as paper, cardboard, leather or plastic. The material is folded back over itself along fold lines to form a multi-layered, flattened, substantially co-planar structure. The fold lines may be perforations, indentations, scored lines, or the like, which allow for bending of the material along a definitive line but serves to prevent breaking or tearing. When perforations are provided, the perforations are spaced a sufficient distance apart so as to reduce the risk of tearing or separation.  
      Promo-Pops™ can be utilized for a number of different purposes, such as, for example, a direct mail piece or promotional product giveaway. The folded or collapsed configuration provides for ease of storage and/or shipment until being assembled and used by the target audience. The electronics, in turn, provide an added functional component, so that the target audience may continue to use the Promo-Pops™ item for an extended period of time. In addition, the Promo-Pops™ item may include a design element for aesthetic reasons and/or an advertising element on the support structure and/or the electronics, such as a company name, which would be readily visible in use. As a result, each time the recipient uses the electronic component, they also see the advertising element. Additional features can be incorporated such as desk organizers such as a brochure holder, business card holder, floppy disc holder, CD/DVD holder, or holders or containers for writing implements (pens, pencils, etc.), paper clips, push pins, rubber bands, coins, or holders or dispensers for tape, notepads and the like.  
      For purposes of illustration and without limitation, the electronic component may comprise one or more of clocks, calculators, calendars, weather stations, thermometers, radios, televisions, phones, speakers, two-way communication devices, alarms, motion or vibration detectors, data recorders, audio recorders, portable media players, running liquid crystal display (LCD) message banners or other viewing screens. A portable media player is a flash memory or hard drive-based music, video, and media content player.  
      The display device or support structure is constructed of a single sheet of a material and is folded over itself to form a multi-layered flattened construction. The material is of a thickness and weight sufficient to prevent bending or sagging of the device during use, it also provides a rigidity necessary to avoid inadvertent collapsing of the device when it is in the assembled position, and is of a strength sufficient to support the electronic component(s) and any additional features.  
       FIGS. 1, 5 , and  7 - 10  show examples of support structures in a flattened state. When assembled the support structures form three-dimensional display devices. A variety of regular and irregular shapes can form the support structures. For example, a truck ( FIG. 2 ), a house ( FIG. 4A ), a pyramid ( FIG. 4B ), a slot machine ( FIG. 4C ), a cube ( FIG. 4D ), and a hexagon ( FIG. 4E ). These are meant to be representative examples. Other and more general shapes and objects that can form the support structures include, but are not limited to, other vehicles including cars, buses, and trains; other buildings including schools, high rises, and monuments; other machines including appliances such as washing machines, dryers and refrigerators, and other geometric shapes, including triangles, rectangles, pentagons, heptagons, octagons, etc. Additional objects could include books, televisions, stereos, computers, jukeboxes, antique cars or trucks, school bus, sleighs, snowman, churches, diners, banks, teeth, tools, boats, cruise ships, yachts, mailboxes, arcade games, 16-wheelers, moving trucks, airplanes, trash cans, fire trucks, police cars, ambulances, slot machines, casinos and the like.  
      One embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS.  3  A-D as a pop-up structure in the shape of a truck  2  and is characterized by a bottom panel  23 , a top panel  9 , and several side panels  3 ,  5 ,  17 ,  15 ,  21 ,  27 . The panels include numerous flaps or tabs  1 ,  7 ,  11 ,  13 ,  19 ,  25 ,  29 ,  31 ,  33 ,  39 ,  41 . In order to assemble the pop-up structure, the flattened construction is expanded in the direction shown by action arrow  52 , i.e. by lifting panel  15 . Flap  19  and flap  25  are folded inward at fold lines  46 ,  50 . The bottom panel  23  is folded inward as shown by action arrows  56 ,  58 , and tab  33  is folded at fold line  54  and inserted into the space between flaps  19 ,  25  and side panel  15 . The structure  2  positioned so that panel  23  forms the bottom upon which the structure  2  rests. The electronic component, in this case a clock  37  is inserted into opening  43  of side panel  21  from the inside of the structure  2 . The clock face-plate  35  is snapped onto the clock  37  via the pegs  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  which fit into corresponding holes on the back side of the face-plate (see  FIG. 12 ). Tabs  11 ,  13 ,  39  are folded inward at fold lines  60 ,  44 ,  62 . Flap  7  is folded inward at fold line  42 . Panel  5  is folded inward at fold line  40  and panel  3  is folded outward at fold line  38 . The structure is closed by folding down the top panel  9  as shown by action arrow  90 , positioning flap  1  behind panel  27 , positioning flap  7  behind panel  15 , and inserting tab  41  into slot  43  by folding inward at fold line  64 .  
      In other aspects of the invention, the opening(s) for the electronic component(s) is/are positioned on alternate or additional panels of the structure  2 , for example on one or more of panels  5 ,  3 ,  15 ,  17 , and/or  27 .  
      Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS.  6  A-E as a pop-up structure in the shape of a house  4  and is characterized by a bottom panels  55 ,  57 , two top panels  45 ,  51  and several side panels  49 ,  53 ,  59 ,  61 . The panels include numerous flaps or tabs  47 ,  55 ,  63 ,  65 ,  67 ,  69 ,  71 ,  77 . In order to assemble the pop-up structure  4 , the flattened construction is expanded in the directions shown by action arrows  92 ,  94 , i.e. by moving panels  53  and  61  away from each other. The bottom is assembled by pushing out from the center panels  55 ,  57  and others not shown. The clock face-plate  35  is snapped off of the clock  37  as shown in  FIG. 6B . The clock  37  is inserted into opening  43  of side panel  59  from the inside of the structure  4 . The clock face-plate  35  is snapped onto the clock  37  from the outside via the pegs  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  which fit into corresponding holes on the back side of the face-plate (see  FIG. 12 ). Flaps  67 ,  69 ,  71 , and  77  are folded inward at fold lines  84 ,  86 ,  88 , and  76  respectively. Flap  47  is folded inward at fold line  68 . Top panel  45  is folded in the direction shown by action arrow  96 . Top panel  51  is folded in the direction shown by action arrows  93 ,  100 . Top panels  45  and  51  meet at a point. The structure is closed by folding flap  47  inward at fold line  68 , folding tabs  63  and  65  at fold lines  80  and  78 , respectively and inserting tabs  63  and  65  into slots  75  and  73 , respectively.  
      In other aspects of the invention, the opening(s) for the electronic component(s) is/are positioned on alternate or additional panels of the structure  4 , for example on one or more of panels  45 ,  49 ,  51 ,  53 , and/or  61 .  
      Another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 4B  (assembled) and  FIG. 7  (unassembled) as a pop-up structure in the shape of a pyramid  6 . It is characterized by a bottom panel  79 , a top panel  89  and side panels  85 ,  87 ,  95  and one other not shown. The panels include numerous flaps and tabs including  81 ,  83 ,  91 ,  93 . The structure  6  includes an opening  43  in panel  87  for an electronic component.  
      In other aspects of the invention, the opening(s) for the electronic component(s) is/are positioned on alternate or additional panels of the structure  6 , for example on one or more of panels  85  and/or  95 .  
      Another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 4C  (assembled) and  FIG. 8  (unassembled) as a pop-up structure in the shape of a slot machine  8 . It is characterized by a bottom panel (not shown), a top panel  123  and side panels  99 ,  101 ,  105 ,  107 ,  109 ,  111 ,  121 . The panels include numerous flaps and tabs including  97 ,  103 ,  113 ,  115 ,  117 ,  119 ,  125 ,  127 ,  129 . The structure  8  includes an opening  43  in panel  105  for an electronic component.  
      In other aspects of the invention, the opening(s) for the electronic component(s) is/are positioned on alternate or additional panels of the structure  8 , for example on one or more of panels  99  and/or  101 .  
      Another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 4D  (assembled) and  FIG. 9  (unassembled) as a pop-up structure in the shape of a cube  10 . It is characterized by panels  141 ,  143 ,  145 ,  147 , which interlock to form a bottom or base, a top panel  133  and side panels  137 ,  139 ,  149  and one other not shown. The panels include numerous flaps and tabs including  131 ,  135 . The structure  10  includes an opening  43  in panel  137  for an electronic component.  
      In other aspects of the invention, the opening(s) for the electronic component(s) is/are positioned on alternate or additional panels of the structure  10 , for example on one or more of panels  139  and/or  149 .  
      Another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 4E  (assembled) and  FIG. 10  (unassembled) as a pop-up structure in the shape of a hexagon  12 . It is characterized by panels  163 ,  165 ,  167 ,  175 ,  181 ,  183  and one other not shown which surround the perimeter of hexagonal panels  151 ,  157 . The panels include numerous flaps and tabs including  153 ,  155 ,  159 ,  161 ,  169 ,  171 ,  173 ,  175 . The structure  12  includes an opening  43  in panel  157  for an electronic component. An additional opening  177  is included in panel  151 . A printed promotional advertisement  179  is inserted in opening  177 . Alternatively, an opening can be provided in panel  151  for additional electronic components.  
       FIG. 11  is a picture of an assembled electronic component  34 . In this example, the electronic component is a clock  37  with a face-plate  35 .  FIG. 12  shows the clock  37  and face-plate  35  in more detail. The clock  37  is characterized by raised pegs  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 ; an edge  22 , which extends to boundary  24 . The edge  22  is slightly lower than the frame  106 , which surrounds the display  104 . The face-plate  35  is characterized by indentations or holes  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  on the back side, which align with pegs  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 . The pegs  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  snap into the holes  26 ,  28 ,  30 ,  32  to form an assembled component  34 .  
       FIGS. 11 and 12  are meant to illustrate one embodiment of the electronic component of the invention. Additional embodiments include, but are not limited to calculators, calendars, weather stations, thermometers, radios, televisions, phones, speakers, two-way communication devices, alarms, motion or vibration detectors, data recorders, audio recorders, portable media players, running liquid crystal display (LCD) message banners or other viewing screens. The displays would be, as appropriate, dates, temperatures, barometric pressure, messages or other data. Where appropriate control buttons or touch screen controls would be included. Alternatively, controls could be provided externally, for example as a remote control device or integrated into a desktop or laptop computer.  
      The electronic component as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  is rectangular in shape. Additional shapes for the electronic component include, but are not limited to, round, elliptical, triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or irregular shapes.  
      The electronic component as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12  is attached to the pop-up structures or three-dimensional display structures of the invention by a face-plate. Additional means for attaching the electronic components to the structures include, but are not limited to, hooks, brackets, clips, pins, screws, and adhesives.  
      The above description and the views and material depicted by the figures are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be, and should not be construed as, limitations on the invention. As an example, the structure can comprise a brochure holder, a pocket folder or any others not shown which will also include an electronic component(s). In addition, any other functional and/or aesthetic components may be used where desired rather than electronic component(s). Moreover, certain modifications or alterations may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art upon reading of this specification, all of which are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the attached claims.