Abstract:
The present invention relates a novel packaging system for containing and distributing items, accompanied by a detachable multi-panel information-card/coupon.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to the design of a packaging system comprising a removable folded information panel. The prior art teaches several containers designed to hold items and provide supplemental information. Shadrach et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,555, teaches a carton including a detachable coupon. Other such designs exist containing cartons and attached information cards and/or coupons, such as, Arasim, U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,923; Mathison et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,820 and Dixon, U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,704.  
         [0002]     The initial intent of all these designs is to provide the consumer with a package containing an information panel that is initially part and parcel of the package. The reason for this design is to avoid additional packaging steps to introduce pamphlets or paper inserts into the containers. These inserts may in turn interfere with the items intended to be packaged, fall out subsequent to sealing or after opening, or be unintentionally left out of the package all together. The consequences of a package without its intended additional information card can be dire in the area of medical or product liability warnings.  
         [0003]     Furthermore, the use of coupons has long been proven to be a highly effective marketing tool. Therefore, the loss of a coupon can be detrimental to the marketer&#39;s business.  
         [0004]     Coupon delivery can occur in various manners. However, the goal is always to present the coupon to the consumer in such a way that he/she notices its existence, and does not immediately discard it for want of a place to store the coupon.  
         [0005]     The solution to the issues faced in the preceding paragraphs is the objective of this invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention is a novel packaging system for items in which a removable folded information panel containing a coupon is connected to the carton via a foldline or a perforated edge.  
         [0007]     In the preferred embodiment, the package is to be used for the distribution of pharmaceuticals accompanied by a coupon for the prescription refill. Additionally, the removable folded panel will contain information cards that will assist the patient with diagnosis of the patient&#39;s particular condition, as well as the particular type and amount of medicine the patient may need (ultimately to be decided by a physician).  
         [0008]     The removable folded panel will be part of the blank, however, it will not be integral with the package&#39;s construction. Therefore, removal of the cards and/or coupon will not affect the overall integrity of the package, i.e., the package&#39;s ability to hold pharmaceuticals. This enables the patient to remove or not remove the information panel and coupon at his/her discretion. The connection of the panel to the package, with the coupon as a reminder, prompts the patient to refill the prescription. Ultimately, this induces greater patient compliance with the recommended dosage, which in turn generates substantial medical benefit.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a fragmentary plan view of the blank scored along the foldlines to show the sections of the invention necessary for assembly.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a fragmentary sectional view of the folded removable information panel containing the coupon.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is an assembled view of the packaging system.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is an assembled and compacted view of the packaging system. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0013]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the packaging system ( 10 ) comprises a back panel ( 11 ), a front panel ( 12 ), an internal side panel ( 14 ) defined by foldlines ( 26 ,  27 ) between said back panel ( 11 ) and said front panel ( 12 ), an external side panel ( 15 ) defined by foldline ( 31 ), a major edge ( 16 ) extending from the back panel ( 11 ) defined by foldline ( 25 ) and internally segmented by foldline ( 34 ) to form tuck tab ( 18 ), a second major edge ( 17 ) extending from said front panel ( 12 ) defined by foldline ( 30 ) and internally segmented by foldline ( 35 ) to form tuck tab ( 19 ), minor edges ( 20 ,  21 ) extending from internal side panel ( 14 ) defined by foldlines ( 28 ,  29 ) respectively, minor edges ( 22 ,  23 ) extending from external side panel ( 15 ) defined by foldlines ( 32 ,  33 ) respectively, a glue tab ( 13 ) extending from back panel ( 11 ) defined by foldline ( 24 ).  
         [0014]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an information panel ( 37 ) removably attached to blank ( 10 ) along a foldline ( 36 ), comprising cards ( 38 ,  39 ) defined by foldlines ( 36 ,  42 ) respectively, and optionally a third card ( 40 ) defined by foldline ( 43 ), and a coupon ( 41 ) defined by perforated outline ( 44 ) inside first card ( 38 ).  
         [0015]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show the final packaging system with all folds made and the glue tab affixed.  FIG. 3  shows the information panel in full extension, and  FIG. 4  shows the compacted view of the information panel. These figures reveal the final embodiment ( 47 ), as well as, the top formed by major edge ( 17 ), bottom formed by major edge ( 16 ), internal side panel ( 14 ), which is not joined with the information panel ( 37 ), and foldline ( 36 ) where the information panel ( 37 ) and newly formed box are interconnected at external side panel ( 15 ) (not shown). Furthermore, both figures demonstrate the most preferred three-card variation of the invention.  
         [0016]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the blank ( 10 ) is assembled by folding said blank ( 10 ) along all said foldlines, followed by sealing of said glue tab ( 13 ) onto underside of external side panel ( 15 ). All said edges are then folded inward and downward to form the top and bottom of the packaging system ( 10 ). Tuck tabs ( 18 ,  19 ) are secured over side edges ( 20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ) and placed on internal side of newly formed package ( 47 ). Removable folded information panel ( 37 ) is folded into 2 segments along fold lines ( 36 , 42 ) and optionally fold line ( 43 ), said information panel ( 37 ) can then be folded onto back of said packaging system ( 10 ).