U.S. patent application number 11/301501 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-12 for packaging, storing and dispensing system for printed materials.
Invention is credited to Scott S. Curry.
Application Number | 20070157567 11/301501 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38231416 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070157567 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Curry; Scott S. |
July 12, 2007 |
Packaging, storing and dispensing system for printed materials
Abstract
A method of packaging custom-printed business cards includes the
steps of printing a quantity of business cards and dividing the
quantity of business cards into a plurality subquantities of
business cards. Each subquantity of business cards is inserted into
an individual card chamber of an individual blister pack and
substantially sealed. The blister pack is substantially sealed by
applying a backing to the blister pack. The blister pack is self
dispensing eliminating the need for a separate business card
holder.
Inventors: |
Curry; Scott S.; (Edina,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATTERSON, THUENTE, SKAAR & CHRISTENSEN, P.A.
4800 IDS CENTER
80 SOUTH 8TH STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-2100
US
|
Family ID: |
38231416 |
Appl. No.: |
11/301501 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/443 ; 206/232;
206/469; 206/555; 53/473 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/366 20130101;
B65D 2575/367 20130101; B65D 83/0805 20130101; B65B 25/14 20130101;
B65D 75/527 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/443 ;
206/232; 206/555; 206/469; 053/473 |
International
Class: |
B65D 73/00 20060101
B65D073/00; B65D 1/34 20060101 B65D001/34; B65D 71/00 20060101
B65D071/00; B65B 35/30 20060101 B65B035/30; B65B 5/06 20060101
B65B005/06 |
Claims
1. A system for packaging, storing and dispensing a printed
quantity of business cards, comprising: a one piece packaging unit
capable of receiving the entire quantity of business cards
subdivided into a plurality of subquantities of business cards, the
packaging unit being divided into a plurality of modules, each
module capable of receiving one of the subquantities of the
business cards and structured to protect the business cards from
soiling and damage; the modules being individually or severally
separable from the packaging unit while a separated module remains
intact and the remaining unseparated modules remain intact; and
each module defining an openable access port through which a single
business card is dispensable while the module still protects
undispensed business cards in the module.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modules each
comprise a blister pack.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the module is semi
rigid.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modules are
arranged caravan style.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modules are
separable by tearable perforations.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modules are
separable by cutting along marked indicia.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modules are at
least partially transparent such that at least one business card is
visible therethrough.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the openable access
port comprises a tear away slit.
9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the module comprises
corner beads, domes, other protrusions or indentations to increase
strength.
10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the openable access
port comprises a removable portion created by perforations in the
module.
11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the openable access
port comprises an opening in a wall of the module and a removable
closure.
12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the removable
closure can be reclosed.
13. A method of packaging, storing and dispensing custom-printed
business cards, the method comprising the steps of: printing a
quantity of business cards; dividing the quantity of business cards
into a plurality of subquantities of business cards; inserting each
subquantity of business cards into a module of a one piece
packaging unit that is divided into a plurality of modules, each
module capable of receiving one of the subquantities of the
business cards and structured to protect the business cards from
soiling and damage; individually or severally separating at least
one module from the packaging unit while each module whether
separated or unseparated remains intact; and dispensing a single
business card from at least one module through an openable access
port defined by the module through which the single business card
is dispensable while the module still protects undispensed business
cards in the module.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the modules each
comprise a blister pack.
15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the module is semi
rigid.
16. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the modules are
arranged caravan style.
17. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the modules are
separable by tearable perforations.
18. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the modules are
separable by cutting along marked indicia.
19. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the modules are at
least partially transparent such that at least one business card is
visible therethrough.
20. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the openable access
port comprises a tear away slit.
21. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the module comprises
corner beads, domes, other protrusions or indentations to increase
strength.
22. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the openable access
port comprises a removable portion created by perforations in the
module.
23. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the openable access
port comprises an opening in a wall of the module and a removable
closure.
24. The system as claimed in claim 23, wherein the removable
closure can be reclosed.
25. A method of packaging custom-printed printed units, the method
comprising the steps of: printing a quantity of printed units;
dividing the quantity of printed units into a plurality of
subquantities of printed units; inserting each subquantity of
printed units into an individual chamber of an individual blister
pack; substantially sealing the blister pack by applying a backing
to the blister pack and providing the blister pack with an openable
access port through which individual printed units may be
accessed.
26. The method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising the step
of joining the blister packs to one another with a perforation
dividing a first blister pack from a second blister pack such that
the first blister pack can be separated from the second blister
pack along the perforation.
27. The method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising the step
of joining the blister packs to one another with a marking
separating a first blister pack from a second blister pack such
that the first blister pack can be separated from the second
blister pack by cutting along the marking.
28. The method as claimed in claim 25, in which the blister packs
are joined caravan style.
29. The method as claimed in claim 25, in which the openable access
port comprises a tear off portion in the backing to allow access
port to the subquantity of printed units by a user.
30. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the subquantities of
printed units each contain about 250 printed units or less.
31. The method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the subquantities of
printed units are of unequal preselected size.
32. The system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the openable access
port comprises a removable portion created by perforations in the
blister pack.
33. The system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the openable access
port comprises an opening in a wall of the blister pack and a
removable closure.
34. The system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the removable
closure can be reclosed.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates generally to the handling of printed
materials. More particularly, the invention relates to the
modularized packaging, storing and dispensing of printed materials
such as business cards.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Business cards are often ordered, printed, and sold in large
quantities, often exceeding five hundred or one thousand items at a
time. Commonly, after printing, the business cards are packaged
into cardboard boxes and shipped or delivered. Users often keep the
business cards in the cardboard boxes, in or on their desks, and
remove a selected number of cards before going to an event or on a
business-related trip.
[0003] Business card users often travel for business purposes to
meetings, trade shows, and other events. Most of the time the user
may exchange business cards with less than a dozen business
contacts each day. However, at a trade show or convention, the user
may distribute hundreds of cards to contacts in the course of a
single day. Thus, it becomes important for the user to have an
ample supply of business cards at hand. Carrying an entire box of
business cards on long trips or to the floor of a trade show, is
impractical. Business cards, out of their package, however, are
easily susceptible to loss and damage. Loose cards are easily
scattered, dog-eared and soiled. The more that business cards are
handled prior to dispensing, the greater the likelihood that the
card will lose integrity due to wear or soiling.
[0004] Users can place a rubber band or paper clip to hold a larger
number of cards for trips of long duration. However, clips and
rubber bands can distort or damage the cards. In addition, once out
of the box, the cards can be susceptible to being bent, torn, or
otherwise damaged. The presentation of a damaged or dog-eared
business card to a business prospect makes a poor impression on the
prospect and may lead to the loss of a sale or valuable business
contact.
[0005] Business card holders can be used to protect a smaller
quantity of cards in the interim between removal of the cards from
their package and the handing out of the cards. The holders can
contain a limited number of business cards, usually in the range of
5 to 20 cards. However, when a user is on a relatively long trip,
or when a larger number of cards are needed, the holder's capacity
to contain and protect cards can be insufficient.
[0006] Current methods of packaging of business cards require that
the business cards be packaged largely by hand, and that the lid to
the business card box be applied manually. The process of preparing
and printing business cards is largely accomplished by automation
and can be done with high speed machinery. The requirement for
manual packaging of the business cards at the end of the process
dramatically limits the speed with which cards can be packaged and
shipped.
[0007] Blister style packaging has been successfully used to
automate the packaging of items such as pharmaceuticals.
[0008] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0189964, U.S. Pat. No.
3,380,578, U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,090 and U.S. Patent Publication No.
2005/0056554 are representative disclosures of blister style
packaging, but to date there have been no examples of blister style
packaging that address the particular needs of packaging, storing
and dispensing business cards.
[0009] The business card production industry would benefit greatly
from a different approach to packaging business cards that is
amenable to automation. In addition, the users of business cards
would benefit from business card packaging that allows users to
transport and store business cards in smaller quantities than the
typical lots of 500 to 1000 while still maintaining the cards in
excellent condition so that the users can make a good impression on
recipients of the cards.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The problems outlined above are in large measure solved by
the present invention. The invention gives users of business cards
or other printed units access to bulk numbers of business cards
stored in modular separable packets or modules. The modular
separable packets are substantially sealed from the environment and
protect the cards therein from wear and soiling until the cards are
dispensed. The modular separable packets are structured to allow
individual dispensing of the business cards while still providing
substantial protection to the remaining business cards in the
packet. The invention allows users to transport and store business
cards in relatively small quantities, while still maintaining the
cards in excellent condition and accommodating individual
dispensing of the cards.
[0011] The invention includes modules such as blister pack
packaging adapted to store approximately 50-100 business cards in
modularized packages. The modularized packages are positioned
together in groups, with each modularized package individually
separable from the group. A tear away strip on each modularized
package can be selectively removed to provide for the dispensing of
individual cards from the modularized package.
[0012] The invention also includes a process of packaging business
cards or other printed materials at the end of the printing
process. The process of packaging the cards is readily adaptable to
automation.
[0013] The method includes the steps of printing a quantity of
business cards, dividing that quantity of business cards into a
plurality of sub-quantities and individually packaging each
sub-quantity of business cards into a substantially sealed blister
package containing approximately 10-250 business cards.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blister package in
accordance with the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a blister package
in accordance with the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a series of three blister
packs connected in a caravan fashion;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a process in accordance with the
present invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a blister pack
including a tear off portion with the tear off portion intact;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a blister pack
including a tear off portion with the tear off portion removed;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary blister pack
having features to increase its rigidity;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary blister pack
having features to increase its rigidity;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary blister pack
for packaging printed materials having an irregular shape and
features to increase its rigidity; and
[0023] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another exemplary blister
pack for packaging printed materials having an irregular shape and
features to increase its rigidity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention generally
includes a system for packaging and distributing business cards C,
or the like, utilizing modules such as blister packs 10. Blister
pack 10 generally includes blister portion 12 and backing 14. This
application will generally discuss the invention in the context of
business cards C however, it is to be understood that the invention
may be used with other types of printed materials as well.
[0025] Blister portion 12 generally includes flat portion 16 and
card chamber 18. Blister portion 12 may be formed of a transparent,
opaque or translucent plastic or other synthetic material.
Generally thermoplastics are used for the forming of the blister
portion 12 but other materials may be used as well. Blister portion
12 of the present invention may be at least partially
transparent.
[0026] An exemplary card chamber 18 is substantially rectangular in
shape and is dimensioned to receive business cards C or other
printed materials. Card chamber 18 generally includes short sides
20, long sides 22, and display side 24. Short sides 20 and long
sides 22 are dimensioned to receive business cards C or other
printed materials. Display side 24 may be substantially transparent
to allow viewing of enclosed business cards C or other printed
materials. Other chamber shapes may be used to accommodate
variously shaped printed materials.
[0027] The depth 26 of card chamber 18 is dimensioned to
accommodate a conveniently preselected number of business cards C.
For example, depth 26 may be selected so that card chamber 18 can
accommodate 20 to 100 business cards C or other printed items.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 2, an exploded view of blister pack 10
is shown including a quantity 28 of business cards C. Backing 14 is
a substantially planar thin sheet of material. Backing 14 may be
formed of cardboard, plastic or other appropriate material.
Desirably, backing 14 is pierced by a perforated opening 30.
Backing 14 may also be structured to have other uses. For example,
backing 14 may be designed to be used as a business card holder or
as a luggage tag. Either the business card holder or the luggage
tag can hold one or more business cards C. The luggage tag can be
attached to an item of luggage or other item for the purpose of
identifying the owner of the item.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, 5, and 6, perforated opening 30 is
dimensioned to have a length approximately equal to the length of
short sides 20. Perforated opening 30 is located at one end of card
chamber 28. Perforated opening 30 is dimensioned so that when
perforated opening 30 is open a user may remove a small quantity of
business cards C. For example, perforated opening 30 may be
dimensioned so that a user may remove 1 to 10 business cards C
therethrough. Perforated opening 30 is desirably arranged so as to
be removable without tools by merely tearing off tear off portion
32 of backing 14.
[0030] Once tear off portion 32 is removed a user may access
quantity 28 of business cards C. Placement of perforated opening
30, is such that it allows ready removal of a small number of
business cards by hand, while maintaining the rest of quantity 28
of business cards C in place inside card chamber 18, where business
cards C are protected from damage and soiling.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3, in one embodiment of the invention,
backing 14 may be configured as continuous backing 34. Continuous
backing 34 may be secured to multiple blister portions 12 caravan
style. Optionally, separate backings 14 that make up continuous
backing 34 are connected by perforated joints. For the purposes of
this application, perforations or perforated joints are defined to
be any localized weakening of the structure of backing 12 or
blister portion 12 that allows adjacent backings 12 or blister
portions 12 to be separated by tearing by hand without the need for
scissors or other cutting tools. Perforations may include but are
not limited to, actual perforations, thinning of the localized area
or weakening of the localized area by heat. Continuous backing 34
allows for the packaging of multiple sub-quantities of business
cards while still keeping the entire order connected together as a
unit until it is separated by a user. Alternatively, continuous
backing 34 may be marked for cutting with scissors or other
tools.
[0032] In another embodiment of the invention, multiple blister
portions 12 may be joined by perforated joints 36 to create a
caravan style package of multiple blister portions 12. A benefit of
the availability of multiple blister portions 12 connected together
caravan style is that a user may select one or more sub-quantities
of business cards in one or more blister portions 12 for removal to
be taken along as needed.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 4, a block diagram of a series of
steps in a method of packaging business cards or other printed
materials is depicted. The production of a custom made order of
business cards or other printed materials begins with printing step
38. In this step, a quantity of custom made printed materials may
be produced by conventional printing means. The custom business
cards or other materials will typically include such information as
business name, individuals name, address, phone number, and other
contact information along with a business logo and related
information.
[0034] After the printing step 38 is complete dividing step 40 is
performed. In dividing step 40, the large quantity of custom made
printed items such as business cards C are divided into a plurality
of sub-quantities. The sub-quantities may be equal smaller
quantities of printed materials such as 50-100 business cards. The
sub-quantities may also be unequally divided so that a significant
quantity of business cards, for example 300-500, are packaged
together for placement in a fixed location such as a desk drawer
and the remaining quantity of business cards are divided into
smaller quantities of 50-100 for ease of transportation by the end
user.
[0035] Next comes inserting step 42. In the inserting step 42 the
various sub-quantities of business cards are placed into card
chambers 18 of blister portions 12 of multiple blister packs 10 as
described above. The blister packs 10 may be of substantially
identical size or may vary in size depending upon the desired
packaging arrangement.
[0036] Next, backer application step 44 is performed. In the backer
application step 44, the backer 14 is applied to blister portions
12 to substantially seal blister packs 10. When blister packs 10
are substantially sealed, individual sub-quantities of business
cards C or other printed materials are protected from dirt or
damage. In one embodiment of the invention the blister packs 10 are
connected together caravan style, as described above.
[0037] Next, the multiple blister packs 10, whether attached
together caravan style or individually are placed into a common
package 46. Thus, multiple blister packs 10 containing business
cards C are joined together in a common unit. In the final step,
shipping 48, the package of business cards or other printed
materials is shipped to the end user.
[0038] In another embodiment of the invention, blister packs 10 of
different sizes or configurations may be used together to package a
variety of different printed materials. The blister packs 10 or
other modules may, for example, contain business cards, stationery
and envelopes for a particular individual. In another example,
business cards and marketing materials for a particular product or
marketing campaign may be supplied in blister packs 10 or other
modules that are joined together for a representative's
convenience. The blister packs 10 containing varying types of
printed materials may be joined or separate and packaged together
in a common package. The blister packs 10 may be sized and shaped
differently from one another to accommodate the various printed
materials.
[0039] It may be necessary to coordinate the printing and packaging
processes so that the various printed materials are grouped
together appropriately. For example, if business cards, envelopes
and stationary are all printed on different manufacturing lines,
the lines would need to be coordinated so that the three different
items would converge for packaging.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 5-6 an exemplary reinforced
blister pack 50 is depicted. Reinforced blister pack 50 includes
short sides 20, long sides 22, display side 24 and corner beads 52.
Short sides 20 and long sides 22 are dimensioned to receive
business cards C or other printed materials. Corner beads 52 are
formed at the junctures of short sides 20 and long sides 22 in this
example. Comer beads 52 may also be formed at the edges 54 where
short sides 20 and long sides 22 meet display side 24. Comer beads
52 can be formed at some or all of the eight edges of blister pack
50.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 7, another embodiment of reinforced
blister pack 50 is depicted. In this embodiment, reinforced blister
pack 50 includes raised perimeter 54. Raised perimeter 54 extends
substantially along edges 56. Raised perimeter 54 surrounds sunken
plateau 58. This embodiment may also include corner beads 52.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 8, reinforced blister pack 50 may also
include a dome 60. One or more dome 60 may include a steeper
portion 62 and a flattened portion 64. As depicted in FIG. 8,
corner beads 52 may used in combination with dome 60. Domes 56 may
include but are not limited to circular, oval or quadrilateral in
shape.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 9, another embodiment of reinforced
blister pack 50 is depicted. This embodiment is formed to accept
irregularly shaped printed items. This embodiment also includes
corner beads 52 and domes 60, Referring to FIG. 10, another
embodiment of reinforced blister packs 50 is depicted. This
embodiment is formed to accept irregularly shaped printed items and
includes domes 60.
[0044] In operation, an end user may select one or more
sub-quantities of business cards C in blister pack 10 for use at a
time. This allows an end user to maintain the business cards or
other printed materials in pristine condition until it is desired
to remove them for distribution. Thus the business cards or other
printed materials remain in excellent condition, allowing a user to
make a positive impression upon business contacts to which printed
materials are distributed.
[0045] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the central attributes thereof,
therefore, the illustrated embodiments should be considered in all
respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made
to the appended claims rather than the foregoing description to
indicate the scope of the invention.
* * * * *