U.S. patent application number 10/445371 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-25 for paper products in roll form having printed elements thereon.
Invention is credited to Cole, Bradley A..
Application Number | 20030234305 10/445371 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29739828 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030234305 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cole, Bradley A. |
December 25, 2003 |
Paper products in roll form having printed elements thereon
Abstract
A plurality of elements are disposed on a continuous sheet of
coiled paper product. The elements are repeated with a repetition
rate determined by the use for the paper product. In the
application to an examining room table, the repetition rate is
determined by the length of the table.
Inventors: |
Cole, Bradley A.; (Winter
Springs, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BEUSSE BROWNLEE WOLTER MORA & MAIRE, P. A.
390 NORTH ORANGE AVENUE
SUITE 2500
ORLANDO
FL
32801
US
|
Family ID: |
29739828 |
Appl. No.: |
10/445371 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60383032 |
May 24, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
242/160.1 ;
242/912 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 11/29 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/160.1 ;
242/912 |
International
Class: |
B65H 018/28 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A length of paper for extending over a horizontal surface,
comprising: a substantially cylindrical roll; a length of paper
coiled about the roll; a pattern of elements on the paper, wherein
the pattern of elements appears at a repetition rate determined by
the length of the horizontal surface.
2. The length of paper of claim 1 wherein the elements are printed
on the paper.
3. The length of paper of claim 1 wherein the elements are
detachably mounted to the paper.
4. The length of paper of claim 1 wherein the elements are liftably
mounted to the paper.
5. The length of paper of claim 1 wherein the horizontal surface is
selected from, an examining table, a head message table, a
chiropractic table and a baby weighing table.
6. A plurality of interfolded paper sheets oriented in a vertical
stack and enclosed within a housing, and a plurality of elements
dispersed randomly in the stack such when certain of the paper
sheets are withdrawn from the housing, an element is withdrawn from
the housing.
6. A substantially cylindrical roll for carrying a plurality of
coiled serially connected sheets comprising one or more game
elements embedded within the coil of sheets, wherein the one or
more elements are not accessible until the roll is uncoiled to the
location of the element.
7. A substantially cylindrical roll for carrying a plurality of
coiled serially connected sheets comprising one or more game
elements attached to an exterior surface of the roll, wherein the
one or more elements are not accessible until the serially
connected sheets are fully dispensed from the roll.
8. A method for advertising a product in a physician's examining
room, comprising: affixing promotional material to a roll of
sanitary paper, wherein a segment of the roll of sanitary paper is
extended over an upper surface of an examining table in the
examining room; removing the segment of the sanitary paper after
each patient's use of the examining table; wherein the promotional
material is affixed to the sanitary paper at a predetermined
repetition rate such that each segment includes promotional
material.
Description
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of provisional
patent application Serial No. 60/383,032 filed on May 24, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The typical physician's examining room includes an examining
table on which the patient lies or sits during the medical
examination. The examining table is constructed with a metal frame
and a cushioned upper surface that can be adjusted to support the
patient in various positions during the examination. For sanitary
purposes, it is known to provide a paper cover for the cushioned
surface, where the paper replaced after each patient visit.
[0003] The paper is provided from a substantially cylindrical paper
roll stored in a cradle at the head or foot end of the examining
table. To replace the paper between patient visits, the nurse or
attendant separates the soiled length of paper from the roll and
replaces it with a new length of paper withdrawn from the roll and
extended over the cushioned upper surface. The paper is dispensed
by grasping the leading edge of the paper and withdrawing paper as
the roll rotates within the cradle. In lieu of disposing the paper
roll in a cradle, the roll is rotatably mounted on an axle that
extends through the roll and is appropriately mounted below the
table surface at either the head or foot end.
[0004] Similar paper covers are also employed with head message
tables, baby scales and chiropractic tables. In each case, the
paper provides a clean and sanitary surface for the next user.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A length of paper for extending over a horizontal surface
comprises a substantially cylindrical roll. A length of paper stock
is coiled about the roll and the paper stock comprises a plurality
of elements appearing on the paper at a repetition rate determined
by the length of the horizontal surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The foregoing and other features of the invention will be
apparent from the following more particular description of the
invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which
like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the
different figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale,
emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of
the invention.
[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a plurality of paper segments constructed
according to the teachings of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a stack of interfolded paper products
constructed according to the teachings of the present
invention.
[0009] FIGS. 3-5 illustrate various embodiments of the present
invention associated with paper products coiled about a roll or
tube.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Before describing in detail the particular paper product
rolls in accordance with the present invention, it should be
observed that the present invention resides primarily in a novel
and non-obvious combination of elements. Accordingly, the elements
have been represented by conventional elements in the drawings,
showing only those specific details that are pertinent to the
present invention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with
structural details that will be readily apparent to those skilled
in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
[0011] As illustrated in FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the
teachings of the present invention, the examining table paper 10
(also referred to as sanitary paper) is sectionalized into length
regions 12A, 12B and 12C, each region having a length "L"
approximately equivalent to the paper length required to cover an
examining table. Section defining lines 14 represent perforations
for ease in separating a soiled section of paper from a roll 16. In
another embodiment the paper 10 is not perforated and thus the
lines 14 represent imaginary lines of demarcation between regions
12A, 12B, 12C, etc. solely for the purpose of explaining the
present invention.
[0012] In exemplary embodiments the length "L" is about three feet
or about six feet, and the total paper length is about 225 feet.
The paper width is dependent on the apparatus with which it is
employed, including widths of 8 inches, 18 inches and 21 inches.
Conventionally, as is known in the art, the examining table paper
10 comprises crepe machine grade paper.
[0013] Various items or elements (or groups of elements or items)
are printed or embossed on or detachably or liftably mounted (using
a liftable adhesive for easy removal) to the paper 10 with a
repetition rate (or distance between items or elements) determined
by the sectionalized length such that the items or elements (or
groups of elements or items) appear in each region 12A, 12B and
12C. Thus one (or more) instance of each item or element (or groups
of elements or items) is present in the paper length coveting the
examining room table. Each time a soiled section of the paper 10 is
removed and replaced by a clean paper section the item or element
appears in the clean paper section.
[0014] Those skilled in the art recognize that multiple embodiments
of this concept are also implementable. For example, groups of
items or elements are printed on or detachably mounted to the paper
10. Additionally, the repetition rate of the items or elements or
groups thereof can be increased such that the items, elements, or
groups thereof appear more than once in each region 12A, 12B and
12C The repetition rate can also be decreased such that the items,
elements, or groups thereof appear on some but not all of the paper
sections 12A, 12B and 12C Further, the repetition rate can be
predetermined (e.g., every third or fifth section) or random. In
yet another embodiment a first predetermined group of items or
elements are alternated with a second group of items or
elements.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates several different types of elements 18
that can be printed on or detachably mounted to the paper 10.
Elements 18A are redeemable coupons for an over-the-counter or
prescription medication commonly recommended by the physician.
Elements 18B represent a game, such as a crossword puzzle. Elements
18C are detachable or perforated areas on which the physician makes
notes for the patient for later review.
[0016] Generally, the elements 18 are intended to relate to the
medical services provided, and further to enhance or add value to
the patient's encounter with the physician. Exemplary element types
include: inspirational, motivational, artistic, informative and
educational. Inspirational elements include emotive artistic works
with an inspirational message. Exemplary informative and
educational elements, typically detachable or removable by the
patient for review outside the physician's office, provide details
of a medical condition or the medications available to treat a
medical condition. The element 18 also includes a follow-up regimen
for the patient to execute. A table in which the patient is to
insert self-administered blood pressure measurements is one example
of such a follow-up regimen. In yet another embodiment, the element
18 comprises a pharmaceutical questionnaire.
[0017] Games or other entertaining elements to occupy the patient's
waiting time in the examining room can be printed on the paper 10.
Game artwork thus appears in each section 12A, 12B and 12C.
Exemplary word games include crossword puzzles, acrostics and
anagrams. For a pediatrician's office one of the elements includes
a child's tattoo that can be easily applied to and removed from the
child's skin.
[0018] Value, reward, promotional or incentive elements include
vendor discount or free-sample coupons or entries to contests
sponsored by pharmaceutical companies or medical product vendors.
Non-medical coupons can also be placed on the paper 10. The value
elements, like all of the elements 18, in one embodiment are
perforated for easy separation from the paper 10, or printed on a
separate paper and attached to the paper with a liftable adhesive.
Exemplary liftable elements are referred to by reference character
18D in FIG. 1.
[0019] In another embodiment, an element 18 comprises a game token
for redemption if certain game conditions are satisfied. The
redeeming party can be a supplier of medical products or the
physician's office.
[0020] Elements 18C includes a detachable physician's note area on
which the physician makes notations for the patient to take from
the examining room. For example, the patient may be instructed to
perform certain daily exercises to alleviate an identified physical
condition. Rather than expecting the patient to remember these
instructions, the physician writes the instructions on the
detachable area of the paper while explaining the instructions to
the patient. In another embodiment the element 18C includes
pre-printed material and blanks for the physician to insert the
patient's name, date, condition, patient-specific instructions,
etc.
[0021] The teachings of the present invention can also be applied
to any paper or paper-like products or sheets that are serially
dispensed from a container, housing or roll. For example, a stack
29 of interfolded products 30 (see FIG. 2) dispensed individually
from a housing 32, include randomly placed game winning coupons,
merchandise discount coupons or other element types 34 nested
within the stack 29. When the user withdraws a product 30 from the
housing, the element is also withdrawn.
[0022] According to another embodiment of the present invention, as
illustrated in FIG. 3, a paper roll 40 (e.g., toilet tissue, gift
wrap paper or paper towels) comprises sheets 41A, 41B and 41C
coiled about a roll 44, and further including randomly spaced game
elements 34 or merchandise coupons among the sheets 41. The sheets
41 are separated by sheet defining lines 14.
[0023] In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the roll 44
includes an element 50, for example, a game piece or merchandise
discount coupon, that is not accessible until the entire product
has been dispensed and the end of roll has been reached. Various
prizes can be awarded by the product supplier, with valuable prizes
awarded less frequently than less expensive prizes. In one
embodiment the tube 44 represents a tube for coiling the examining
table paper described above. The game piece or merchandise discount
coupon is redeemed by a member of the physician's staff who is
responsible for inserting a new paper roll into the dispensing
mechanism of the examining table. Alternatively, all members of the
staff can receive benefits from the coupon redemption.
[0024] In lieu of affixing the game piece or coupon 50 to the roll
44, an opening 52 is formed in the roll 44 and the element 50 is
then visible or accessible through the opening 52. The element 50
is not exposed until after all the product has been dispensed from
the roll 44.
[0025] While specific applications and examples of the invention
have been illustrated and discussed, the principals disclosed
herein provide a basis for practicing the invention in a variety of
ways and in a variety of applications. Numerous variations are
possible within the scope of the invention. The invention is
limited only by the claims that follow.
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