U.S. patent application number 12/222875 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-05 for name tag attachment.
This patent application is currently assigned to STOFFEL SEALS CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Ralph J. Mallozzi, Grover Singh.
Application Number | 20090056177 12/222875 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40405257 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090056177 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mallozzi; Ralph J. ; et
al. |
March 5, 2009 |
Name tag attachment
Abstract
An attachment for name tags that is easily replaceable and a
system of displaying additional information on name tags. The name
tag includes at least one projection, and the attachment includes a
corresponding cutout in the shape of the projection. The attachment
can be secured to a name tag by a friction fit between the
projection and the cutout. Likewise, the attachment can be easily
removed by removing the projection from the cutout. As a result,
the promotional information displayed on name tags can easily be
changed by adding and removing attachments.
Inventors: |
Mallozzi; Ralph J.; (Stony
Point, NY) ; Singh; Grover; (Oakland, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ralph A. Dowell of DOWELL & DOWELL P.C.
2111 Eisenhower Ave, Suite 406
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
STOFFEL SEALS CORPORATION
Nyack
NY
|
Family ID: |
40405257 |
Appl. No.: |
12/222875 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60956609 |
Aug 17, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
40/1.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 3/207 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
40/1.6 |
International
Class: |
A44C 3/00 20060101
A44C003/00 |
Claims
1. A tag for displaying identification information, comprising: a
tag portion, including a first surface for displaying information
and an attaching means for attaching the tag to clothing; an
attachment, including a first surface for displaying information;
and a securing means for securing said attachment to said tag
portion.
2. The tag according to claim 1, wherein said securing means
includes at least one projection located on said tag portion and at
least one cutout located on said attachment, said at least one
cutout portion having a shape that corresponds to a shape of said
at least one projection so as to create a friction fit when said at
least one projection is received within said at least one
cutout.
3. The tag according to claim 2, wherein said attachment includes a
second cutout for receiving said attaching means of said tag
portion when said attachment is secured to said tag portion.
4. The tag according to claim 2, wherein said at least one
projection is integral to said tag portion.
5. The tag according to claim 2, wherein said at least one
projection has an elongated oval shape.
6. The tag according to claim 5, wherein said at least one
projection has an elongated oval shape with four lobes.
7. A system for displaying additional information on tags,
comprising: a tag portion, including a first surface for displaying
information and an attaching means for attaching the tag to
clothing; an attachment, including a first surface for displaying
information; and a securing means for securing said attachment to
said tag portion.
8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said securing means
includes at least one projection located on said tag portion and at
least one cutout located on said attachment, said at least one
cutout portion having a shape that corresponds to a shape of said
at least one projection so as to create a friction fit when said at
least one projection is received within said at least one
cutout.
9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said attachment
includes a second cutout for receiving said attaching means of said
tag portion when said attachment is secured to said tag
portion.
10. The system according to claim 8, wherein said at least one
projection is integral to said tag portion.
11. The system according to claim 8, wherein said at least one
projection has an elongated oval shape.
12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said at least one
projection has an elongated oval shape with four lobes.
13. A method of displaying additional information on tags,
comprising: obtaining a tag portion, including a first surface for
displaying information and an attaching means for attaching the tag
to clothing; obtaining an attachment, including a first surface for
displaying information; and securing said attachment to said tag
portion via a securing means.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said securing means
includes at least one projection located on said tag portion and at
least one cutout located on said attachment, said at least one
cutout portion having a shape that corresponds to a shape of said
at least one projection so as to create a friction fit when said at
least one projection is received within said at least one
cutout.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said attachment
includes a second cutout for receiving said attaching means of said
tag portion when said attachment is secured to said tag
portion.
16. The method according to claim 14, wherein said at least one
projection is integral to said tag portion.
17. The method according to claim 14, wherein said at least one
projection has an elongated oval shape.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said at least one
projection has an elongated oval shape with four lobes.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application No. 60/956,609, filed Aug. 17, 2007, and entitled "Name
Tag Attachment," the content of which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is directed to an attachment for name
tags and to a system of displaying additional information on name
tags. More specifically, the present invention involves an
attachment for name tags that snaps onto the name tag so that the
attachment is easily attachable and removable.
[0004] 2. Brief Discussion of Related Art
[0005] Name tags, identification tags, and badges are often used in
retail stores and other places of business to display employee
names and promotional information. A conventional name tag includes
a front display surface having information printed or written
thereon and a rear surface having at least one attachment means for
securing the name tag to an employee's uniform or clothing. The
attachment means is typically a safety pin, but magnets or
adhesives can be used to secure the name tag.
[0006] Throughout the year, retail stores run different promotions,
such as holiday specials or sales. To advertise the promotions, it
is advantageous to put the promotional information on employee name
tags so that customers are made aware of the promotion when they
are greeted or otherwise interact with employees. For example, a
name tag could include a drawing of Dracula to advertise a
Halloween sale.
[0007] However, retail stores typically have a number of different
promotions and sales during the year. Consequently, the stores will
have to purchase new name tags for each promotion to effectively
advertise each promotion. As a result, advertising store promotions
on employee name tags is costly. Such advertising is also
ponderous, since employees are responsible for a number of
different name tags. Thus, there exists a need for a system to
efficiently advertise promotions or otherwise display information
on name tags.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present invention is directed to an attachment for name
tags that is easily replaceable and to a system of displaying
additional information on name tags. An attachment displaying
promotional information or other additional information snaps onto
a name tag or badge so that the attachment can be quickly attached
or removed. As a result, additional information can be displayed on
a name tag so as to eliminate the need to have a different name tag
design for each event or promotion.
[0009] The name tag includes at least one projection, and the
attachment includes a corresponding cutout in the shape of the
projection. The attachment can be secured to a name tag by a
friction fit between the projection and the cutout. Likewise, the
attachment can be easily removed by removing the projection from
the cutout. As a result, the promotional information displayed on
name tags can easily be changed by adding and removing
attachments.
[0010] In light of the name tag and attachment designs of the
present invention, it is an object of the invention to provide an
advertising system that allows promotional information to be easily
added to employee name tags. It is a further object of the
invention to provide an advertising system wherein promotional
information is easily changed and updated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A better understanding of the invention will be had with
reference to the attached drawings wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front planar view of a name tag with an
attachment secured thereto in accordance with the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a rear planar view of the name tag and attachment
of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the name tag and
attachment of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a rear planar view of the name tag and an
attachment of FIG. 1 showing how the attachment fits onto the name
tag;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a
name tag with an attachment secured thereto;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a rear planar view of the name tag and attachment
of FIG. 5;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a top elevational view of the name tag and
attachment of FIG. 5; and
[0019] FIG. 8 is a rear planar view of the name tag and an
attachment of FIG. 5 showing how the attachment fits onto the name
tag;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a name tag 10 includes a front
surface 12 for displaying information, such as a store name,
slogan, employee name, or employee information, and a rear surface
14 having an attaching means 16 for securing the name tag onto an
employee's uniform or clothing. In a preferred embodiment, the
attaching means 16 is a pin, such as a safety pin. However, any
suitable attaching means, such as magnets or adhesive, or any
combination of attaching means can be used.
[0021] In addition to the attaching means 16, the rear surface 14
of the name tag 10 includes a projection 18. The projection 18
preferably extends a few millimeters from the rear surface 14 and
is an elongated ovular shape, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. However,
the projection can be of any suitable shape, size, or
cross-section. Further, the projection 18 is preferably integrally
formed with the name tag 10, but the projection can be formed of
any suitable material and attached to the name 10 via any
appropriate means.
[0022] The name tag 10 is preferably rectangular in shape so that
the front surface 12 has sufficient surface area to display
information. Further, the name tag 10 is preferably made from a
lightweight, durable, plastic material. However, the name tag 10
can be any size, shape, color, or material.
[0023] An attachment 20 includes a front surface 22 for displaying
information, such as promotional, advertising, sales, or seasonal
information, and a rear surface 24. The attachment 20 also
preferably includes an area A that corresponds to the shape of the
name tag 10. As a result, when the attachment 20 is secured to the
name tag 10, the area A will be located behind and hidden by the
name tag 10.
[0024] The attachment 20 further includes a first cutout 26 and a
second cutout 28. The shape of the first cutout 26 corresponds to
the shape of the attaching means 16 of the name tag 10 so that when
the attachment 20 is secured to the name tag 10, the attaching
means project through or are otherwise accessible through the first
cutout 26. The shape of the cutout 28 corresponds to the shape of
the perimeter of the projection 18 of the name tag 10 so that the
projection 18 can be received within the cutout 28 to create a
friction fit.
[0025] The attachment 20 can be made of any shape or design that
has a front surface with sufficient surface area to display
information. For example, the attachment 20 shown in FIGS. 1-4 is
shaped like Dracula to advertise a Halloween sale. The attachment
is preferably made of a laminated paper material but any suitable
material can be used.
[0026] To display additional information on the name tag 10, the
attachment 20 including the additional information is secured to
the name tag 10. To secure the attachment 20 to the name tag 10,
the rear surface 14 of the name tag 10 is aligned with the area A
on the front surface 22 of the attachment so that the name tag 10
covers the area A. When the name tag 10 is aligned with the area A,
the first cut out 26 and the second cut out 28 of the attachment 20
are aligned with the attaching means 16 and the projection 18,
respectively.
[0027] The projection 18 is then pressed into the second cutout 28
so that the attachment 20 is secured to the name tag 10 via a
friction fit. Once the attachment 20 is secured to the name tag 10,
the attaching means 16 projects through or is otherwise accessible
through the first cutout 26 so that the name tag 10 with the
attachment 20 can be placed on an employee's uniform or clothing.
As a result, in light of the attachment 20, customers are made
aware of the promotion when they are greeted or otherwise interact
with employees.
[0028] To remove the attachment 20 from the name tag 10, the
projection 18 is pulled out of the second cutout 28 to release the
friction fit. Once the attachment 20 is removed, the name tag 10
can be worn without any attachment or another attachment can be
added to display new information.
[0029] An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown
in FIGS. 5-8. A name tag 30 includes a front surface 32 for
displaying information, such as a store name, slogan, employee
name, or employee information, and a rear surface 34 having an
attaching means 36 for securing the name tag onto an employee's
uniform or clothing. In a preferred embodiment, the attaching means
36 is a pin, such as a safety pin. However, any suitable attaching
means, such as magnets or adhesive, or any combination of attaching
means can be used.
[0030] In addition to the attaching means 36, the rear surface 34
of the name tag 30 includes two projections 38A and 38B. The
projections 38A and 38 preferably extend a few millimeters from the
rear surface 34 and have a round shape, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8.
However, the projections can be of any suitable shape, size, or
cross-section. Further, the projections 38A and 38B are preferably
integrally formed with the name tag 30, but the projections can be
formed of any suitable material and attached to the name 30 via any
appropriate means.
[0031] An attachment 40 includes a front surface 42 for displaying
information, such as promotional, advertising, sales, or seasonal
information, and a rear surface 44. The attachment 40 further
includes cutouts 48A and 48B. The shapes of the cutouts 48A and 48B
correspond to the shapes of the perimeters of the projections 38A
and 38B, respectively, so that the projections 38A and 38B can be
received within the cutouts 48A and 48B, respectively to create a
friction fit.
[0032] Similar to the name tag 10, the name tag 30 is preferably
rectangular in shape so that the front surface 32 has sufficient
surface area to display information. Further, the name tag 30 is
preferably made from a lightweight, durable, plastic material.
However, the name tag 30 can be any size, shape, color, or
material. Similar to the attachment 20, the attachment 40 can be
made of any shape or design that has a front surface with
sufficient surface area to display information.
[0033] To display additional information on the name tag 30, the
attachment 40 including the additional information is secured to
the name tag 30. To secure the attachment 40 to the name tag 40,
the cutouts 48A and 48B are aligned with the projections 38A and
38B respectively. The projections 38A and 38B are then pressed into
the second cutouts 48A and 48B so that the attachment 40 is secured
to the name tag 30 via friction fits between the projection 38A and
the cutout 48A and between the projection 38B and the cutout 48B.
As a result, in light of the attachment 40, customers are made
aware of the promotion when they are greeted or otherwise interact
with employees.
[0034] To remove the attachment 40 from the name tag 30, the
projections 38A and 38B are pulled out of the cutouts 48A and 48B,
respectively, to release the friction fits. Once the attachment 40
is removed, the name tag 30 can be worn without any attachment or
another attachment can be added to display new information.
[0035] In addition to the preferred embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-8,
the advertising system of the invention can utilize any suitable
means and methods for attaching an attachment to a name tag. For
example, the attachment may include projections that correspond to
cutouts in the name tag. The present invention also anticipates the
use of any number, size, and shape of projections and corresponding
cut outs. Alternatively, other means, including magnets, metal
snaps, Velcro.RTM., and any combination thereof, may be used to
secure the attachment to the name tag. In addition, the attachment
can be attached to any surface of the name tag, including a front
surface.
[0036] The foregoing description of the present invention has been
presented to illustrate the principles of the invention and not to
limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated. It
is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by all of
the embodiments encompassed within the following claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *