Abstract
A publication and product delivery package is disclosed which permits a variety of products to be packaged and displayed along the binding (or spine) of a publication, such as a magazine, or an object of similar size, and delivered to a purchaser of that publication in an attractive, efficient, cost effective way, utilizing standard delivery services such as the United States Postal Service. The publication package allows delivery of products which are otherwise loose, liquid, or fragile to survive in their original form, and arrive at the location of the purchaser intact, despite the stresses and impacts of such packaging, display, and delivery. The publication package also allows a product manufacturer or distributor to include other additional attractive marketing text and images alongside product containers, which text and images providing additional exposures of product names and graphics, which may be coordinated with similar text, images impressed on the delivered products, to achieve high-impact and memorable promotion of the products so delivered, with minimal additional delivery costs over those costs of delivering the publication alone.
Claims
1. A publication package comprising: a publication having pages which join along a spine, the pages having four pages edges around their periphery, a first outer package container, formed of material in a generally tubular shape, with top end and bottom end, and at least one generally flat side, a first generally flat backing having a front side and a back side, and four backing edges around its periphery, the first generally flat backing formed of resilient material rigid enough to resist folding, the first generally flat backing is affixed to the generally flat side of the first outer package container, the publication is positioned on the first generally flat backing so that the publication is situated next to the first outer package container, and a covering means which encloses the publication, the first outer package container, and the first generally flat backing.
2. The publication package of claim 1 further comprising a first closure means which may be fitted to the bottom end of the first outer package container to close the top end of the first outer package container.
3. The publication package of claim 2 further comprising a second closure means which may be fitted to the top end of the first outer package container to close the bottom end of the first outer package container.
4. The publication package of claim 1 further comprising a first closure means which may be fitted to the top end of the first outer package container, to close the top end of the first outer package container, and a second closure means which may be fitted to the bottom end of the first outer package container, to close the bottom end of the first outer package container.
5. The publication package of claim 4 further comprising front indicia printed on the front side of the first generally flat backing.
6. The publication package of claim 4 further comprising back indicia printed on the back side of the first generally flat backing.
7. The publication package of claim 5 further comprising at least one inner package container, formed to fit within the first outer package container.
8. The publication package of claim 6 further comprising at least one inner package container, formed to fit within the first outer package container.
9. The publication package of claim 7 in which the least one inner package container is impressed with indicia which is coordinated with front indicia printed on the front side of the first generally flat backing.
10. The publication package of claim 8 in which the least one inner package container is impressed with indicia which is coordinated with back indicia printed on the back side of the first generally flat backing.
11. The publication package of claim 9 in which the at least one inner package container is placed within the first outer package container, and the first closure means is fitted to the top end of the first outer package container to close the top end of the first outer package container.
12. The publication package of claim 10 in which the at least one inner package container is placed within the first outer package container, and the first closure means is fitted to the top end of the first outer package container to close the top end of the first outer package container.
13. The publication package of claim 1 further comprising: a second outer package container, formed of material in a generally tubular shape, with top end and bottom end, and at least one generally flat side, a second generally flat backing having a front side and a back side, and four backing edges around its periphery, the second generally flat backing formed of resilient material rigid enough to resist folding, the second generally flat backing is affixed to the generally flat side of the second outer package container, the publication is positioned on the second generally flat backing so that the publication is situated next to the second outer package container, and the covering means encloses the publication, the first outer package container, the first generally flat backing, the second outer package container, and the second generally flat backing.
14. The publication package of claim 13 further comprising a third closure means which may be fitted to the top end of the second outer package container, to close the top end of the second outer package container, and a fourth closure means which may be fitted to the bottom end of the second outer package container, to close the bottom end of the second outer package container.
15. The publication package of claim 14 further comprising at least one inner package container, formed to fit within the second outer package container.
16. The publication package of claim 15 in which the at least one inner package container is placed within the second outer package container, and the third closure means is fitted to the top end of the second outer package container to close the top end of the second outer package container, and the fourth closure means is fitted to the bottom end of the second outer package container to close the bottom end of the second outer package container.
17. A publication package which meets U.S. Post Office regulations for items mailed at magazine rider postal rates.
18. The publication package of claim 17 further comprising: a publication having pages which join along a spine, the pages having four pages edges around their periphery, an outer package container, formed in a generally tubular shape, with top end and bottom end, a generally flat backing having a front side and a back side, and four backing edges around its periphery, the generally flat backing formed of resilient material rigid enough to resist folding, the generally flat backing is affixed to the outer package container, the publication is positioned on the generally flat backing so that the publication is situated next to the outer package container, a covering means which encloses the publication, the first outer package container, and the generally flat backing.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0049] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and such drawings, together with the description set forth herein, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0050] FIG. 1 is a perspective view drawing of a first preferred embodiment of the publication package of the present invention, viewed from the front cover, with publication package poly-bagwrap covering means.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a perspective view drawing of a first preferred embodiment of the publication package appearing in FIG. 1, viewed from the publication front cover and page edge sides.
[0052] FIG. 3 is a perspective view closeup drawing of the first preferred embodiment of the publication package appearing in FIG. 1, viewed from the front cover and outer package container top end, with outer package container closure means in the form of a plug fitted within the end of the outer package container.
[0053] FIG. 4 is a perspective view drawing of the first preferred embodiment of the publication package appearing in FIG. 1, viewed from the front cover side, in which the outer package container, with attached backing, has been partially separated from the selected publication.
[0054] FIG. 5 is a perspective view drawing of the first preferred embodiment of the publication package appearing in FIG. 1, viewed from the front, in which the outer package container, with attached backing, has been fully separated from the selected publication.
[0055] FIG. 6 is a perspective view drawing of the first preferred embodiment of the publication package appearing in FIG. 1, viewed from the back cover side, in which the outer package container, with attached backing, has been fully separated from the selected publication.
[0056] FIG. 7 is a perspective view drawing of the first preferred embodiment of the publication package appearing in FIG. 1, viewed from the front cover side, in which the closure means of the outer package container has been removed from the top end of the outer package container, and one inner package container has been removed from the same top end of the outer package container.
[0057] FIG. 8 is a perspective view drawing of three inner package containers of the first preferred embodiment of the publication package appearing in FIG. 1, after the closure means of the outer package container and all inner package containers have been removed from the now open end of the outer package container, and all inner package containers are in condition for use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A FIRST PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0058] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of publication package 10 of the present invention is shown in perspective, as it has been wrapped in plastic shrink-wrap covering means 11. In FIG. 1, various components of publication package 10 may be viewed through shrink-wrap covering means 11, however those components may not generally be accessed until such time as shrink-wrap covering means 11 is removed from publication package 10. Upon removal of shrink-wrap covering means 11, the consumer may separate the components of publication package 10, and also access the products to be delivered. Until delivery to the consumer is complete, all components are contained within, and protected from dirt and weather by, shrink-wrap covering means 11. In this configuration, publication package 10 may be handled by distributors just as any other publication may be handled, and stacked for storage. In this configuration, shrink-wrap covering means 11 also hold components of publication package 10 together, and in proper register one to the other, so that individual copies of the chosen publication may be stacked, and handled just as any other publication, shifting components of publication package 10 within shrink-wrap covering means 11, or adversely affecting their condition. However, even as shrink-wrap covering means 11 protects the contents of publication package 10, and before shrink-wrap covering means 11 is removed, the title of the chosen publication, all of the front cover of that publication, and most other components of publication package 10 contained within shrink-wrap covering means 11 are viewable by distributors and consumers.
[0059] Turning now to FIG. 2, a first embodiment of publication package 10 of the present invention is shown in perspective, and for clarity without shrink-wrap covering means. Thus, publication package 10 may now be appreciated in its condition after deliver to a consumer, and after shrink-wrap 11 has been removed. In FIG. 2, publication package 10 has attached to it selected publication 20, viewed from selected publication 20 front cover 21 side. Selected publication 20 page opening edge 22 may be seen, along with edges of individual pages 23 of selected publication 20. In this case, selected publication 20 is a magazine, however publication package 10 may be utilized to distribute products by accompanying a variety of publications. Outer package container 30 of publication package 10 may also be seen, formed in a regular, tubular shape, with outer package container 30 top end 31 and outer package container 30 bottom end 32. In FIG. 2, a first generally flat side (not shown) of outer package container 30 is positioned against spine edge 24 of selected publication 20. A second generally flat side 34 (shown in FIG. 3) of outer package container 30 is affixed to publication package 10 backing 40 (not fully shown), and backing 40 is positioned against the back cover 25 of selected publication 20. Outer package container 30 is formed of clear plastic in this embodiment, and three (in this embodiment) ipcs, inner package container 50, inner package container 51, and inner package container 52, may be seen through the plastice of outer package container 30. Inner package containers 50 through 52 are positioned snugly within outer package container 30 in such a way that graphics, which may appear on the exterior sides of inner package containers 50 through 52 may be viewed through the clear plastic of outer package container 30. In FIG. 2, we may not see outer package container 30 closure means, however, outer package container closure means resides within or around outer package container 30 top end 31, to close outer package container 30 top end 31 once inner package container 50 through inner package container 52 have been placed within outer package container 30.
[0060] In FIG. 3, only a portion of the first embodiment of publication package 10 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 appears in perspective, again without shrink-wrap covering means for clarity. That portion of publication package 10 which appears in FIG. 3 is outer package container 30, end-on, from outer package container 30 top end 31. Again in FIG. 3, publication package 10 has attached to it selected publication 20, viewed from selected publication 20 front cover 21 side. Again, the edges of individual pages 23 of selected publication 20 may be seen, and again outer package container 30 of publication package 10 may be seen formed in a regular, tubular shape, with outer package container 30 top end 31 and outer package container 30 bottom end 32. Thus, FIG. 3 shows a portion of publication package 10 as it resides within shrink-wrap 11, and as it appear to a publication purchaser if she removed shrink-wrap 11 from publication package 10, and rotated outer package container 30 and selected publication 20 together to view outer package container 30 from outer package container top end 31. In FIG. 3, first generally flat side 33 of outer package container 30 may be seen positioned against spine edge 24 of selected publication 20. Second generally flat side (not shown) of outer package container 30 is affixed to publication package 10 backing 40, and backing 40 is positioned against back cover 25 of selected publication 20. While outer package container 30 is formed of clear plastic in this embodiment, inner package container 50 through 52 are omitted from FIG. 3 for clarity, along with the shrink-wrap covering means. However, in the normal course inner package container 50 through 52 (in this embodiment; additional inner package containers may be used in other embodiments) reside within outer package container 30 when the publication is in transit, being delivered to a consumer or subscriber in shrink-wrap 11. We may also see outer package container 30 closure means 35 (in this case a plug), fitted snugly within outer package container 30 top end 31, thereby closing outer package container 30 top end 31 with inner package containers 50 through 52 (not shown) residing within outer package container 30.
[0061] In FIG. 4, the first embodiment of publication package 10 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 appears again in perspective, again without shrink-wrap covering means, which has been removed by the consumer. In FIG. 4, selected publication 20 is no longer attached to outer package container 30 of publication package 10, and selected publication 20 has been separated from outer package container 30 by pulling spine edge 24 of selected publication 20 away from first generally flat side 33 of outer package container 30. Again we may see in FIG. 4 selected publication 20 front cover 21, selected publication 20 page opening edge 22, and edges of individual pages 23 of selected publication 20. Again outer package container 30 is seen as a regular, tubular shape, with outer package container 30 top end 31 and outer package container 30 bottom end 32. Since selected publication 20 has been separated from outer package container 30, we may see in FIG. 4 first generally flat side 33 of outer package container 30 is no longer positioned against spine edge 24 of selected publication 20, and second generally flat side (not shown) of outer package container 30 affixed to backing 40.
[0062] Of particular importance in FIG. 4, as backing 40 is no longer positioned against the back cover of selected publication 20, we may for the first time see text and graphics (collectively the Front Indicia) arrayed on the front side 41 of backing 40. The Front Indicia is broken into sections over the area of front side 41 in this embodiment in such a way as to enhance the marketing impact for consumers who purchase selected publication 20. This is accomplished through (I) the choice of materials from which backing 40 is formed, and through (ii) coordination of Indicia appearing on front side 41 with similar text and graphics on the exterior of inner package container 50 through 52, as viewed by a consumer through the clear plastic from which outer package container 30 is formed. Thus, and referring specifically to the choice of materials, backing 40 may be formed of high quality material, most suitable for printing high quality images and texts as Front Indicia, in ways which create exceptional, one-of-a-kind advertising impact. Such materials include card stock of various thickness and finish, but such materials may also include clear and opaque plastic of suitable rigidity, or even of metal, and slick plastic or metallic finishes. So long as these materials and finishes are chosen for their suitability of high-quality printing, or their transparency in the case of partial printing of a page, the Front Indicia may be of arbitrarily high quality, and resultant attractiveness.
[0063] As to the coordination of Indicia appearing on front side 41 of backing 40, the Front Indicia may be broken into sections on backing 40, and those sections coordinated with similar text and graphics on the exterior of inner package container 50, inner package container 51 and inner package container 52, as viewed by a consumer through the clear plastic from which outer package container 30 is formed, or when viewed by a consumer when outer package container 30 and backing 40 are separated from selected publication 20. More specifically, when outer package container 30 and backing 40 are first separated from selected publication 20, a consumer or subscriber is exposed to Front Indicia on front 41 of backing 40, much as she would be exposed to front 21 of selected publication 20 (and often at the same time). This allows the Indicia on front 41 of backing 40 to lead the consumer's eyes from Front Indicia on front 41 naturally to outer package container 30 and, because inner package container 50 through 52 may be viewed through the clear plastic of outer package container 30, to the similar indicia on the exterior surfaces of inner package container 50, inner package container 51, and inner package container 52. The Front Indicia on front 41 of backing 40 may be coordinated with the similar inner package container indicia on the exterior surfaces of inner package container 50 through 52, using similarity in colors and line, and using consistent trademark presentation, through similar or complimentary look and feel, and by other means.
[0064] In this preferred embodiment of the publication package 10 of the present invention, for example, backing 40 Front Indicia appearing in FIG. 4 is broken into sections a-1 and b-1 and c-1, with the borders of these sections running horizontally from outer package container 30 to backing 40 edge most distant from outer package container 30 when outer package container 30 is affixed to backing 40 during manufacture. The width of sections a-1 through c-1 in this embodiment as these sections run across the width of backing 40 (for clarity, only section a is marked in FIG. 4) may be printed to correspond to the length of each of inner package container 50 and inner package container 51 and inner package container 52 contained in outer package container 30, and the Front Indicia on front 41 of backing 40 may correspond to the same or similar text and images which have been printed on the exterior of inner package container 50 and inner package container 51 and inner package container 52, along their length at sections a-2 and b-2 and c-2 (for clarity, only section a-2 marked in FIG. 4). Accordingly, when selected publication 20 is separated from outer package container 30, and pulled away from front 41 of backing 40, the eye of the consumer may be attracted to the high impact images of the Front Indicia on front 41 of backing 40, and that eye may linger over such Front Indicia, and induce that consumer to open outer package container 30, remove inner package container 50 and inner package container 51 and inner package container 52 containing product samples, and try each of the product samples contained in inner package container 50 and inner package container 51 and inner package container 52.
[0065] In FIG. 5, the first embodiment of publication package 10 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 appears again in perspective, again without shrink-wrap covering means and, in FIG. 5, also without selected publication 20. Again outer package container 30 is seen as a regular, tubular shape, with outer package container 30 top end 31 and outer package container 30 bottom end 32. In FIG. 5, we may again see the Front Indicia arrayed on front side 41 of backing 40, and again the Front Indicia is broken into sections over the area of front side 41 in such a way as to enhance the marketing impact for consumers who purchase selected publication 20. Focusing specifically on the coordination of Front Indicia appearing on front side 41 of backing 40, the Front Indicia of FIG. 5 is broken into three sections on backing 40, and those sections are coordinated with similar text and graphics on the exterior of inner package container 50 and inner package container 51 and inner package container 52. In this preferred embodiment of the publication package 10 of the present invention, backing 40 Front Indicia is broken into three sections a-1 and b-1 and c-1, with the borders of these sections running horizontally from outer package container 30 to backing 40 edge most distant from outer package container 30 when outer package container 30 is affixed to backing 40 during manufacture. The width of sections a-1 through c-1 in this embodiment are now printed to correspond to the length of each corresponding inner package container 50 and inner package container 51 and inner package container 52, each of which are still contained within outer package container 30. Also, the Front Indicia on front 41 of backing 40 corresponds to the same or similar text and images which have been printed on the exterior of inner package container 50 through 52 along their length. Thus the width of section a-1 corresponds with the length of inner package container 50 within section a-2 of outer package container 30, the width of section b-1 corresponds with the length of inner package container 51 within section b-2 of outer package container 30, and the width of section c-1 corresponds with the length of inner package container 52 within section c-2 of outer package container 30.
[0066] In FIG. 6, the first embodiment of publication package 10 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 appears again in perspective, again without shrink-wrap covering means, which has been removed by the consumer. Again, publication package 10 is also shown without selected publication 20. FIG. 6 again shows outer package container 30 as a regular, tubular shape, with outer package container 30 top end 31 and outer package container 30 bottom end 32. In FIG. 6, however, we may now see the Back Indicia, which is arrayed on the back side 42 of backing 40, and again the Back Indicia is broken into sections over the area of back side 42 in such a way as to enhance the marketing impact for consumers who purchase selected publication 20. Focusing specifically on the coordination of Back Indicia appearing on back side 42 of backing 40, the Back Indicia of FIG. 6 is again broken into three sections on backing 40, and those sections are again coordinated with similar text and graphics on the exterior of each of inner package container 50, inner package container 51 and inner package container 52, as viewed by a consumer through the clear plastic from which outer package container 30 is formed. In this preferred embodiment of the publication package 10 of the present invention, backing 40 Back Indicia is again broken into three sections a-3 and b-3 and c-3, with the borders of these sections running horizontally from outer package container 30 to backing 40 edge most distant from outer package container 30 when outer package container 30 is affixed to backing 40 during manufacture. The width of sections a-3 through c-3 in this embodiment are now again printed to correspond to the length of each of three inner package containers 50 through 52 contained in outer package container 30 in this embodiment. Also, the Back Indicia of back 42 of backing 40 correspond to the same or similar text and images which have been printed on the exterior of inner package container 50 and inner package container 51 and inner package container 52 along their length at sections a-2 and b-2 and c-2.
[0067] In FIG. 7, a portion of the first embodiment of the publication package 10 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 appears again in perspective, again without shrink-wrap which has been removed by the consumer. Outer package container 30 is again seen as a regular, tubular shape, however only outer package container 30 top end 31 appears in FIG. 7, along with some of the length of outer package container 30, and portions of sections a-1 and b-1 of backing 40. For clarity, the Front Indicia shown in FIG. 5 has been removed from FIG. 7. Also inner package container 50, which may be viewed by a consumer through the clear plastic of outer package container 30 up until this point, has now been removed from outer package container 30, and is ready to be used by a consumer. In this particular example, inner package container 50 is a fragrance applicator, with spray top, by which the consumer may deploy the fragrance. Inner package container 50 can be removed from outer package container 30 by simply turning the top end 31 of outer package container 30 downward, and allowing inner package container 50 to slide out of outer package container 30. In a similar way, inner package container 51 and inner package container 52 may be removed from outer package container 30 after first removing inner package container 50. Once inner package container 50 and inner package container 51 and inner package container 52 have each been removed from outer package container 30, all inner package containers are then available for use by the consumer as seen in FIG. 8. Of course, the number of inner package containers which may be contained in outer package container 30 is limited only by the length of each inner package container, and by the length of outer package container. Accordingly, a publisher or manufacturer may place a single inner package container within outer package container 30 for delivery to a consumer, or dozens of inner package containers may be placed within outer package container 30 for delivery.
[0068] Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the invention being indicated by the following claims and equivalents.
