Patent Abstract:
A promotional form is provided which includes a detachable element received within the surrounding margin of a base sheet, the base sheet being folded and sealed around one side of the detachable element to initially conceal a message, question or other indicia hidden until the detachable element is at least partially removed. The promotional form may include a plurality of detachable elements having correlated indicia printed on an exposed side and either on the concealed side of the element or in a portion of the opposing form section in registry with the detachable element. A game or educational piece may be inexpensively provided by correlating different indicia messages corresponding to respective detachable elements, so that in response to an initial query or instruction, a plurality of possible results may be revealed, leading in turn to an outcome revealed by removal of a further detachable element. Tampering with the form is revealed when multiple detachable elements corresponding to alternate results are removed, or the adhesive bonding the facing form sections is disturbed.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention broadly concerns a form useful as a promotional or gaming device which includes a detachable element which is initially integral with the form. The form is constructed and printed to be tamper-evident and folded to initially obscure a hidden message which is revealed when the element is detached. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Various promotional and gaming pieces have been developed which employ a paper backing and a hidden message. For example, game pieces have been developed which are adhesively attached to beverage cups and food containers and which may be removed and an adhesive cover pulled away to reveal the contents, as well as paper tickets and the like which have an opaque coating which may be removed by scratching with a coin or the like. U.S. Pat. No. 3,900,219 shows a lottery ticket or game piece which includes a base sheet on which information is printed and a two-ply cover which is adhesively adhered to the base sheet. Tearing away the intermediate sheet of the cover also tears the cover sheet to reveal a number printed on the front of the base sheet. 
     The promotional and gaming pieces of the prior art require specialized equipment to print, seal, apply coatings and adhesive, and apply to a substrate surface. There has developed a need for a promotional item made primarily of a paper material and which may be readily printed. There has developed a further need for a promotional item which may be printed on-demand and remains tamper-evident. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These objects have largely been met by the promotional form with detachable element of the present invention. That is to say, the promotional form of the present invention is readily printable in a conventional desktop printer such as a laser printer or ink-jet printer, can be printed on-demand, and includes a detachable element which includes tamper-evident features to indicate whether information intended to be hidden until removal of the detachable element has been prematurely revealed. Furthermore, the promotional form hereof may include either one or a plurality of detachable elements, so that the information which is initially hidden is revealed contingent upon which of the elements is removed. 
     Broadly speaking, the present invention includes a base sheet having a first side and a second side and at least one transverse fold line dividing the base sheet into at least first and second sections. A line of weakness is provided in at least a part of one of the first and second sections to define a detachable element. In preferred embodiments, a transparent film window is adhered to the second side in covering relationship to the detachable element and preferably surrounding relationship to the line of weakness. Indicia is printed on the first side of the base sheet and on at least a portion of the second side of the base sheet. The base sheet is folded along the one transverse fold line whereby the first side of each of the first and second sections are opposed and then adhesively connected to one another. When so folded, the first side of the detachable element is exposed, whereas the second side of the indicia is hidden, as is the portion of the other of the first and second sections opposite the detachable element. Preferably, indicia in the form of an instruction, question, answer, prize information, or other information is revealed when the detachable element is removed, but is hidden from viewing prior to such detachment; tampering to reveal such indicia being evident in the event that the adhesion between the first and second sections is broken or when more than one of a plurality of detachable elements is removed. 
     The base sheet can be provided with a plurality of transverse fold lines to create third, fourth or additional sections. The added fold lines permit segregation of different elements or portions of the promotional form to be detached along the fold lines. Indicia printed on the base sheet can be arranged so that a question, answer or prize information is sequentially revealed, or revealed on either the detachable element or on the portion of the base sheet opposing the detachable element and visible upon removal of the detachable element. The indicia may be preprinted indicia, meaning tha that the indicia is printed at the time the form is die cut for the detachable element and mass produced, and may also include variable indicia, which as used herein means indicia printed on demand from information stored in a computer database which is particularlized to a single one of the forms, such as the name and address of an individual recipient and a question or award printed to be particular to an individual based on computer selection from either random number generation or criteria to be applied from information stored in the computer database. In particularly preferred embodiments, the transparent film window may be provided as a pen writable film whereby the issuer could readily write on the film to indicate receipt or validation of any prize awarded. Further, in particularly preferred embodiments the film window may be provided having two laminated plys wherein one ply remains with the detachable element after removal. The base sheet may be imprinted with indicia to provide an initial question, a plurality of possible answers, and a prize notification if the correct answer is selected. Such an arrangement is especially suited for gaming pieces and in particular educational games. Masking indicia may be printed on the first or second side of the sections as appropriate in order to provide additional resistance to premature discovery of the hidden indicia. 
     It is particularly advantageous if the adhesive used for bonding the first section to the second section is employs a co-operative cohesive which bonds when the cohesive is mated in facing relationship to itself under the application of pressure. The use of cohesive is advantageous in permitting ready handling of the base sheet without premature adhesion while providing good bonding and evidence of tampering. Furthermore, the use of a cohesive to bond the first and second sections permits the use of conventional folder-printer units to process the forms on demand. Advantageously, the cohesive can be applied in various patterns for security to surround the detachable element, or to provide pockets defined by the connected sections. 
     The form hereof is remarkably easy to print, seal and use. The base sheet may be preprinted with information such as the name of the sponsor, promotional information, addresses and telephone numbers. In fact, all of the information can be preprinted. The film element may be adhered and the line of weakness provided by scoring, die cutting or similar means. When the film element is a laminate of two plies, the die cutting may extend into one but not the other ply of the film element whereby one ply of the film adheres to the detachable element upon removal while the other remains with the surrounding portion of the base sheet. The base sheet is then folded into sections when folded along the transverse fold line or lines, and then may be adhered so that the second side of the detachable element and the portion of the other section facing it is hidden from view. 
     However, it is often desired that the promotional form include customized or variable information. For example, it may be desired that a prize be awarded on a random generation basis determined by a computer random generator having access to a plurality of different prizes in its database which prize is awardable when printed onto the form. It may also be desirable that a promotional award be dependent upon the identity of the recipient, whereby certain preferred customers obtain a prize of greater value than others. In this instance, a common base sheet may be provided having common preprinted information and then, at the time of issuance, be printed with the variable indicia by a printer and introduced into a folder/sealer and then issued to the customer. The form emerges from the printer and is introduced into a folder/sealer so that the form can be delivered in a finished condition after local printing and finishing. In the event the form is torn or the bond is separated, the prize may be deemed void. 
     Thus, an inexpensive, tamper-evident and easy-to-use promotional piece is provided by the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the advantages of the present invention with reference to the detailed description and drawings which follow, wherein: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of my promotional form showing both preprinted and customized information printed on the first side of the base sheet; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear elevational view thereof, showing the adhesive pattern and the arrows indicating the mating edges after folding of the form along the fold lines; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic view showing the first embodiment of the promotional form entering a folder/sealer machine and emerging therefrom in a finished condition; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the first embodiment of the form in a finished condition as presented to the recipient, with the bonded areas corresponding to the cohesive which are present on the opposite side of the form shown in dashed lines; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the form wherein the thicknesses are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and showing the die cut forming the detachable element and the laminated film window; 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of my promotional form showing a plurality of fold lines dividing the form into four sections and lines of weakness forming four adjacent detachable elements; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of the form shown in  FIG. 6 , showing four discrete indicia segments corresponding to respective detachable elements and printed on one of the sections which, when the form is folded along the fold lines so that the edges of the respective sections mate as indicated by the arrows, align in registry with their respective detachable elements; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic view showing the promotional form of  FIG. 6  entering a folder/sealer machine and in a finished condition leaving the folder/sealer machine; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the form shown in  FIG. 6  in a finished condition with a first detachable element partially removed to reveal an indicia segment corresponding thereto; and 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the form wherein the thicknesses are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and showing the die cuts forming the detachable elements and the laminated film window. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, a promotional form  20  in accordance with the present invention broadly includes a base sheet  22  of paper or other material adapted for retaining printing thereon and having a detachable element  24  unitary with the base sheet  22  prior to detachment. The form  20  is provided with adhesive  26  provided in a pattern  28  on the base sheet. A film window  30  is adhered by a permanent adhesive  32  to one side of the promotional form in covering relationship to the detachable element. Indicia  34  is printed on the base sheet  22  in particular positions as will be described hereinafter prior to folding of the promotional form into the final configuration thereof shown in FIG.  5 . 
     In greater detail, the base sheet  22  has a first side  36  and a second side  38 , a surrounding margin  40 , and at least one and preferably a plurality of transverse fold lines  42 ,  44  which may be provided by perforations or other lines of weakness. The transverse fold lines (which may include perforation lines, as shown) divide the base sheet  22  into respective first section  46 , second section  48  and third section  50 , whereby the fold lines may facilitate separation of the sections  46 , 48  and/or  50  from one another if desired. 
     The detachable element  24  is defined by a line of weakness  52  which is preferably entirely discrete from and interior of the surrounding margin  40 . The line of weakness  52  may be provided by die-cutting and preferably is a score line or a perforation line so that premature removal of the detachable element  24  from the surrounding remainder of the base sheet  22  may be readily detected. 
     The adhesive  26  is applied in pattern  28  which preferably is positioned in surrounding relationship to the detachable element as shown in FIG.  2 . As used herein, the adhesive  26  may be any type of adhesive including thermoplastic adhesive and remoistenable adhesive. However, the preferred adhesive  26  for use in the pattern  28  is a contact adhesive, also known as a co-hesive, which bonds when mated to a surface provided with the same or a compatible contact adhesive, usually under at least nominal pressure. One such contact adhesive or cohesive is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,128, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Examples of the use of contact adhesive in folded and sealed paper articles are set forth and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,918,128, 4,928,875, 5,201,464 5,253,798, 5,314,110, and 5,941,451, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pattern  28  includes two pattern segments  54  and  56 , each on a respective section of the base sheet and on the same side (in this case the second side  38 ) of the base sheet, each of the pattern segments  54  and  56  being a mirror image of the other. The pattern segments  54  and  56  as shown in  FIG. 2  are particularly configured to both provide a square box framing the detachable element  24  and the film window  30  and having upright legs extending in substantially spaced-apart parallel orientation so as to provide a pocket between respective form sections  48  and  50  when the base sheet  22  is folded along fold line  44  and the pattern segments  54  and  56  are in registry and pressed together. 
     The window  30  is preferably included with the form  20  to provide a more finished appearance and to provide support for the detachable element  24 . The window is preferably provided of synthetic resin transparent film, which may be a pen writable film which accepts and retains ink. Most preferably, the film is provided as a laminate as shown in  FIG. 2  having a top ply  58  which lies adjacent the detachable element  24 , a release coating  60 , and a bottom ply  62 . A thin layer of permanent adhesive  32  bonds the top ply  58  to both the detachable element  24  as well as the surrounding portion of the section from which the detachable element is provided. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the line of weakness  52  preferably extends through the top ply  58  and the layer of release coating  60  but not through the bottom ply  62 . 
     The indicia  34  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4  illustrate the use of the form as a promotional piece for a hotel and casino, but it is to be understood that such printing is by way of example only. The indicia  34  includes preprinted indicia  62  which may be provided at the point of manufacture prior to application of variable indicia  64  which may be provided at the time of issuance when the form  20  is folded and sealed. Thus, in the embodiment of the form  20  shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the issuer&#39;s name and address, blank lines for receiving guest&#39;s name, arrival date and room number, advertising slogans, map information, instructions for redemption positioned on the detachable element  24  facing the window  30 , and winner&#39;s congratulation may be preprinted indicia  62  which is common to all forms  20  retained by the issuer. In addition, the preprinted indicia may include masking indicia  66  printed However, the issuer may also choose to customize the form  20  with variable indicia. Such variable indicia may be selected at random, or by selecting the indicia to be printed on the form  20  for particular recipients who are, for example, customer&#39;s deserving of varying levels of incentives. In the example shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , entry of the guest&#39;s name into the issuer&#39;s computer  68  may have resulted in the computer database identifying Mr. Richard Gambler as having no previous gambling record or only a modest gambling record with the casino and thus entitled to a moderate incentive as a part of the variable indicia  64 —here a $20 prize. The computer  68  is connected, and thus communicates the variable information, to a suitable printer  70 . One typical printer  70  useful in this application would be, for example, a Hewlett Packard 4100 available from Hewlett Packard, Inc. of Boise, Id. However, if the computer database identified Mr. Richard Gambler as someone who routinely gambled large amounts of money, software within the computer  68  might instruct the printer  70  to print a prize figure substantially larger than $20 based on preselected criteria. It may be appreciated that similar criteria may be applied to provide preferential treatment to frequent customers or the computer  68  may invoke a random number generator to instruct the printer  70  to print larger or smaller prize figures as a part of the variable indicia  64  at random. 
     In use, after the variable indicia  64  is printed by printer  70 , the issuer folds the form along the fold lines  42 ,  44  so that the pattern segments  54  and  56  are pressed together and the sections  48  and  50  bond together along the pattern. While this may be done manually, for automated and volume production of the form, the issuer introduces the form into a folder/sealer  72 . Although many folder/sealers are useful in connection with the present invention depending on the type and nature of adhesive  26  used, one folder/sealer useful with low-pressure contact adhesives is a Formax 2052 available from Bescorp, Inc. of New Hampshire. The form  20  then includes a pocket  74  formed between the sections  48  and  50  and defined by the adhesive pattern  28  as shown in  FIG. 4 , the pocket being useful for receiving a hotel key card or the like. 
     When the recipient receives the form  20  from the issuer, he or she is advised of the possibility of winning a prize by removing the detachable element  24 . It may be appreciated that the creation of a gaming atmosphere by immediately providing the guest at a hotel/casino with a possibility of winning is a desirable promotional strategy to promote the gaming industry. Moreover, this atmosphere is enhanced when the form  20  is used as a promotional item wherein all guests receive some prize incentive printed as part of the variable indicia  64 . It should be noted that the indicia on the second side of the form  20  is correlated in meaning to the indicia appearing on the first side of the form. The recipient separates the detachable element along the line of weakening and removes the detachable element to see the congratulatory message and to read the redemption instructions. The use of a two-ply laminate as window thirty permits the top ply to remain with the detachable element and the issuer may validate or verify redemption of the prize by writing on the pen-writable film of the window  30 . 
     While the form  20  shown in  FIGS. 1-5  is particularly suitable for use as a promotional piece, a second embodiment of the form  20 A as shown in  FIGS. 6-10  provides additional possibilities for use as an educational or gaming piece. Form  20 A broadly includes a base sheet  80  of paper or other printable substrate material, which base sheet  80  includes a plurality of detachable elements  82 ,  84 ,  86  and  88  integrally formed with the base sheet  80 . The detachable elements are defined by corresponding lines of weakness  90 ,  92 ,  94  and  96  which in the embodiment of the form  20 A shown herein, lie in adjacency or at least close proximity. It may be appreciated that the number of detachable elements is not limited to four in order to provide greater variety, chance and options to the form  20 A. A window  98  may be adhered by a permanent adhesive  100  to the base sheet in covering relationship to the detachable elements  82 ,  84 ,  86  and  88  as shown in FIG.  7 . In addition, adhesive  102  is provided in a pattern  104  which preferably surrounds the detachable elements on at least one side of the base sheet  80  as shown in FIG.  7 . 
     The form  20 A shares many features in common with form  20 . For example, the base sheet  80  includes a plurality of transverse fold lines  106 ,  108  and  110  which divide the base sheet  80  into form sections  112 ,  114 ,  116  and  118 . The base sheet  80  has a first side  120  and a second side  122  and a surrounding margin  124 . The fold lines  106 ,  108  and  110  together with the surrounding margin  124  define the edges of the respective form sections  112 ,  114 ,  116  and  118 , the edges of the sections mating when folded as indicated by the arrows in  FIG. 7  so that the form assumes the configuration shown in FIG.  10 . 
     The detachable elements  82 ,  84 ,  86  and  88  are shown as positioned on the same form section  114 , although it may be appreciated that the detachable elements could be positioned on different form sections. As shown in  FIGS. 6-10 , the second side  122  of the form section  114  is provided with a pattern segment  126  of adhesive  102 , which is preferably a contact adhesive, which substantially surrounds all of the detachable elements  82 ,  84 ,  86  and  88 . When a contact adhesive  102  is used, the second side of adjacent form section  116  is also provided with a pattern segment  128  of adhesive  102 , pattern segment  128  being a mirror image of pattern segment  126  whereby, when base sheet  80  is folded along fold line  108 , the pattern segment  126  on form section  114  lies in registry and mates with pattern segment  128  of form section  116  to substantially surround and seal the form  20 A around the edges of the second sides of both form section  114  and  116  shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 . If the adhesive pattern is broken or disturbed along a portion thereof, tampering is evident. 
     The window  98  of form  20 A is similar to that of form  20  in that it is optional but included in the preferred embodiment. When window  98  is included, it is of a material and construction as described with regard to window  30  in that it is preferably a pen writable, two ply, transparent synthetic resin laminate having adhesive  100  bonding the top ply  130  to the second side of the form section  114  and also to each of the detachable elements. A layer of release coating  132  is located intermediate the top ply  130  and a bottom ply  134 . Lines of weakness  90 ,  92 ,  94  and  96 , which may be discrete as shown or contiguous, preferably extend through the base sheet  80  and the top ply  130  as shown in  FIG. 10  so that the top ply  130  remains with any of the detachable elements which have been torn away. 
     The form  20 A is also provided with indicia  136  printed on each side thereof. The indicia may be preprinted to be the same on each form  20 A or different for each form  20 A in a set of such forms, or may be printed on demand. As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the form  20 A is especially useful as an educational or promotional piece when the indicia printed in correspondence to each detachable element is interrelated. The indicia  136  may be printed on both the first side  120  and the second side  122  of the base sheet  80 , and arranged with regard to the detachable elements so that the indicia  136  appearing on or adjacent the first side of the detachable elements is correlated in meaning to the indicia printed on the second side of the form section  116  which is in registry with the corresponding detachable element and revealed for viewing when the covering detachable element is at least partially torn away. In preferred embodiments, the indicia  136  printed on or adjacent the first side  120  of detachable element  82  includes question or selection identifying indicia  138 . Question or selection indicia  140  is printed on second side  122  of form section  116  in registry with the detachable element  82  after folding and sealing and presents a query or selection instruction to proceed to a next sequential step, so as to be viewable upon complete or at least partial removal of the detachable element  82 . Alternatively, the question or selection indicia  140  could be printed on the second side  122  of the detachable element  82 . Preferably, discrete and alternate first and second choice indicia  142  and  144  is respectively printed on or adjacent the first side  120  of each of a plurality of the detachable elements, such as shown with regard to detachable elements  84  and  86 . As shown, first and second choice indicia  142  and  144  are answer indicia which correspond to the question or selection indicia  140  as plausible choices. Result indicia  146  is printed on the second side  122  of form section  116  in registry with the detachable element  84  after form  20 A is folded and sealed, while result indicia  148  is printed on the second side  122  of form section  116  in registry with the detachable element  86  after form  20 A is folded and sealed. First result indicia  146  corresponds to first choice indicia  142  and detachable element  82 , while second result indicia  148  corresponds to second choice indicia  144 , first result indicia  146  and second result indicia  148  desirably being quite different and distinguishable and at least one of the result indicia identifying a correct answer or more favorable outcome while a second or other result indicia identify that the choice indicia selected was incorrect and indicate a corrective or less favorable outcome. Detachable element  86  is provided with indicia such as outcome indicator indicia  150  printed on or adjacent the first side  120  of the detachable element  86 . Outcome indicia  152  is printed on the second side of form section  116  in registry with the detachable element  88  so as to be viewable only after partial or complete removal of the detachable element  88 . Outcome indicia  152  is preferably conceptionally sequentially related to the more favorable one of first result and second result indicia, so that tearing of the detachable element  84  or  86  corresponding to the more favorable outcome, such as a correct answer results in the user being instructed to tear away the detachable element  88  to reveal a favorable outcome indicia  152 . Thus, in the preferred embodiment of the form  20 A, the user is presented with a question revealed by tearing away of detachable element  82 , sequentially invited to select one of a plurality of choices—only one of which is correct—by tearing away only one of a plurality of detachable elements  84  and  86 , and, if the result indicia is favorable, invited by the result indicia  146  or  148  which corresponds to the preferred or correct choice to tear away detachable element  88  which reveals a favorable outcome such as a congratulatory note, a prize indication redeemable for value, or some other benefit. Masking indicia  154  may be printed on either the first side  120 , the second side  122 , or both the first and second side of the form  20 A, such as on form section  116  as shown in the drawings, to help mask the various outcomes from premature disclosure. 
     The form  20 A is produced similar to form  20 , in that it is initially printed either by preprinting or on demand by variable printing, then folded and sealed either manually or by a conventional folder/sealer  72 . As completed, the form  20 A assumes a folded configuration as shown in FIG.  10 . 
     Both forms  20  and  20 A afford tamper evident features which are available using conventional, on-demand desktop printing and sealing equipment which are normally available only through greatly more sophisticated and expensive techniques and equipment. Whether preprinted or printed on demand, the forms  20  and  20 A can be immediately folded and sealed. When contact adhesive is used, separation of the adhesive in the mated the form sections reveals tampering. Removal of any part of the detachable elements is immediately visible, so that if multiple detachable elements corresponding to more than one choice indicia are even partially torn away, the form may be voided. Because conventional paper can be used for the form, the use of the window with the laminated plys, one of which separates with each detachable element, aids in deterring counterfeiting. The use of pen writable laminate helps to ensure that prizes which are awarded are not improperly duplicated when the issuer signs the laminate to show that the prize corresponding to that detachable element has been awarded. The use of masking indicia helps to deter interrogation of the form by light to reveal which of the forms contains more favorable outcomes so as to deter improper preferential pre-selection by the issuer&#39;s employees. When variable information is printed locally by a desktop printer, the computer database may randomly generate outcomes and vary the queries and instructions if desired to create a form which is more dynamic in use, or will match awards to recipients by criteria determined by the issuer. The computer will retain data corresponding to the variably printed information so as to reveal which awards are issued to which recipients, thus providing a further check on improper issuance of forms having improper preferred outcomes. 
     Although preferred forms of the invention have been described above, it is to be recognized that such disclosure is by way of illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     The inventor hereby states his intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of his invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set out in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8