GB2405854A

GB2405854A - Booklet for hanging on bottle

Info

Publication number: GB2405854A
Application number: GB0321403A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Antony Aspey
Original assignee: PHARMA FINISHING Ltd
Current assignee: PHARMA FINISHING Ltd
Priority date: 2003-09-12
Filing date: 2003-09-12
Publication date: 2005-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 2023-09-12
Also published as: GB0321403D0; GB2405854B

Abstract

The present invention relates to a booklet 10 capable of being hung from an article, comprising printed matter 29 and a cover, the cover capable of partially enveloping the printed matter and comprising a front portion 14 and a back portion 16, both portions of the cover having a hanging means 20 disposed thereon, the hanging means capable of being separated from the cover by a separation means 24, the booklet being substantially closed when hung on an article and capable of being opened when either removed from an article or the hanging means is separated from the cover. The present invention also relates to a cardboard cut out for producing the cover of the booklet. The cover may releasably be held closed by adhesive 28. The hanging means may comprise aligned apertures 26 for placing on the neck of a bottle.

Description

DESCRIPTION

BOOKLET

The present invention relates to a booklet capable of being detachably hung from an article.

There are a number of different types of labels or leaflets which may be associated with or attached to a bottle or similar container. Such labels or leaflets can be difficult to remove from the bottle due to the method of attachment as they commonly utilize adhesives which result in the tearing of the leaflet or booklet when it is being removed from the bottle. Alternatively, leaflets or booklets which are permanently affixed to the bottle, look unsightly and are easily damaged if the seal which has previously kept them flush or attached to the bottle has been broken.

IJS 2, 422, 314 discloses a combination bottle and booklet package comprising a package which includes a descriptive and direction circulars or booklets which allows more volumes than can be conveniently imprinted upon the ordinary package label to be fixed to a bottle. GB2,006,713 discloses a similar combination bottle and label which comprises a label with two adhesive portions at each extremity of the bottle and a nonadhesive portion in the middle. The adhesive portions are stuck to the bottle and the leaflet is tucked between the bottle and the non-adhesive portion of the label. Whilst both documents disclose leaflets/booklets which can be removed easily from the bottle or container, the booklet/leaflet has to be specific to the container and in the event that the booklet/leaflet is not readily visible on the container, a consumer may not be inclined to choose the container as it would appear that the leaflet/booklet was missing. These methods of attaching a leaflet or a booklet to a container for marketing purposes (such as including vouchers or further information relating to similar products from the same manufacturer) would not be appropriate as the consumer would have to purchase the product before such marketing material EP 0833295 discloses a label in book or catalogue form which has a bottom sheet glued to the underside so as to adhere to a bottle together with a top sheet and one or more further sheets between them. A seal with a detachable adhesive allows the re-sealing of the label back on to the bottle. Such a label has a number of associated problems with it. Firstly, the label would be permanently fixed to the bottle and therefore could not be removed. Secondly, the label could not be replaced with a new label should it become obsolete or the text be amended if required. Furthermore, as the label is attached to the bottle prior to transportation to the retail outlet? it would be prone to damage before it arrived at the point of sale.

US 4, 208, 819 discloses a device for attaching display materials to a bottle wherein the device includes a bottle and a flexible bottleengaging means connecting the booklet to a bottle. The flexible bottleengaging means is attached to the bottle and the booklet so as to urge the booklet against the bottle. Whilst this device allows for the display material to be changed should it be required, the pages of the booklet are prone to damage as the booklet is open. Furthermore, as the spine is horizontal in relation to the bottle, the booklet will more than likely be printed in an unorthodox orientation.

EP 1136971 discloses a hanging label which includes a hanger an expanded content device (such as a leaflet which is attached to the handles). T he hanger includes a tag portion having a hole positioned to surround the neck of a bottle and a body portion adjacent the tag portion. In order to allow the hanging label to be secured to the bottle, the hole position around the neck of the bottle would need to fit snugly around the neck of the bottle in order to have a desired effect (such that the label is presented at the correct position on the bottle. Therefore, it would be necessary to place the label onto the bottle prior to transportation to a retail outlet which would take up additional space in a container housing a number of bottles. Furthermore, the label appears to utilize a large amount of card for the small label which it is holding creating a substantial amount of waste.

US 5, 489, 456 discloses a self-adhesive label in the form of a tag for attachment to a neck of a bottle, the label being carried on a backing of release material and the label comprising a printed sheet which is folded so as to form a body portion and tag portion attached thereto and an aperture which extends through the tag portion. A weakened tear line extends through the sheet between the body and tag portions and a layer of adhesive is disposed on a rearwardly directed surface of the body portion which releasably adheres the label to the backing of the release material and by which the body portion may also be adhered to the bottle. This label, whilst having the ability to be detached from the neck of a bottle by means of a weakened tear line, would be required to be placed on the bottle before the bottle was transported to the retail outlet. Therefore, the label may become damaged during transit by means of interference from other bottles in addition to being damaged from contents of the bottle should the lid not be placed on the bottle securely.

FR 2545342 discloses an object-packing and displaying device intended to be hung up and comprises a container capable of receiving objects, and a flat hanging member, such as a small plate and the like, provided with a hooking means. In this document, the hanging member appears to comprise of a notebook or booklet connected in a removable manner to the container. Whilst this display device may be useful for a number of applications where a manual or similar instruction literature is associated with a product, the booklet is intrinsically linked to the product and can only be inspected after the product has been purchased, otherwise the packaging would be damaged (along with the hanging member).

GB 2 3 82 810 discloses a label comprising a body defining a hanger for hanging the label around a necked-container and a leaflet mounted on the body by a transparent film laminated to the body. This label has a number of inherent problems associated with it such as the leaflet may be opened whilst on the necked-container and the leaflet would look unsightly to a consumer as the seal holding the pages closed would have been broken. Furthermore, the transparent film which is adhered to the body may become detached after a period of time and therefore pages, or at least the front cover of the leaflet may become lost.

Additionally, the process for producing such a label would be time consuming and expensive due to the requirement of a body, a transparent film, the leaflet and the means to bond the transparent film to the body.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to alleviate one or more of the aforementioned problems associated with prior art labels and booklets. It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a booklet which can be hung from an article and allow a consumer to view the booklet either when it is removed from the article or the part of the booklet containing the printed matter is removed from the means which allows it to be hung to an article. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to allow for a booklet to be placed on an article in such manner that it can be removed easily so that it can be replaced or put onto the article at any given time. For example, it would be advantageous to place a new booklet on an article in order to reflect a different product range or promotional offers as it would be to place the booklet on the article after the article has been transported to its point of sale therefore limiting damage to the booklet itself. It is also a further object of the present invention in order to provide a booklet which can exist independently of an article so that when it is removed, no damage would be inflicted upon the article.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a booklet capable of being hung from an article, comprising printed matter and a cover, the cover capable of partially enveloping the printed matter and comprising a front portion and a back portion, both portions of the cover having a hanging means disposed thereon, the hanging means capable of being separated from the cover by a separation means, the booklet being substantially closed when hung on an article and capable of being opened when either removed from an article or the hanging means is separated from the cover.

Therefore, the present invention provides a booklet which is capable of being hung on an article which booklet can only be opened when it is independent from the article or when it has been physically separated from a portion of the booklet which does not contain the printed matter.

The printed matter may comprise a number of sheets or a single folded sheet. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, that a number of sheets may have a substantially book-like appearance having a plurality of sheets bonded together along one edge in order to form a spine to hold the sheets together. Alternatively, a single folded sheet may comprise a leaflet which has been folded in such a manner as to reduce its overall size for packing it into a smaller size, such a manner of folding would be a commonly used concertina arrangement.

The hanging means may form part of the cover and may additionally be produced from the same material.

The separation means may comprise a perforation or a score line disposed on the cover. Alternatively, the separation means may comprise a releasable or re- sealable adhesive. Therefore, the printed matter contained within the cover can be easily separated from the hanging means, regardless of whether the booklet is hung from an article or not.

The hanging means may comprise an aperture disposed in or on at least one of the portions of the cover. Preferably, the aperture is disposed in or on both the front and back portion. Alternatively, the hanging means may comprise a hook or similar device in order to attach it to an article. Preferably, the hook will be disposed on or in the cover. It will be evident to one skilled in the art, that a number of alternative hanging means may be employed in order to hang the booklet from a given article and this may be dictated in part by the article itself.

Preferably, cover and hanging means are produced from the same material.

Preferably, the cover is produced from a cardboard, plastic coated cardboard or substantially paper based material. A number of alternative materials may additionally be used and it would be preferable if the material is easily tearable and the material tearable by means of perforations or a score line between the cover and the hanging means. It is also preferable, that such a material to produce the cover would be durable in order that the booklet could last for a certain amount of time.

Preferably, the cover independent of the hanging means substantially conforms to the dimensions of the printed matter.

The article may be a number of the different types of goods, but preferably it is a container of some description. Such a container may be a bottle or similar liquid carrying container. Alternatively, the article may be a clothes hanger or similar device for holding and displaying goods.

The printed matter may comprise a number of loose sheets bonded together along the one edge in order to form a spine. Preferably, the booklet further comprises a center portion extending vertically between the front portion and the back portion.

Such a center portion may allow the booklet to fold easily in addition to receive the spine for the bonded sheets of the printed matter. Alternatively, the center portion may act itself as the spine of the bonded sheets. The material used to bond the sheets together may be selected from one or more of the following materials: adhesives, plastics, rubbers and fabric materials. Therefore, the center portion may allow for the loose sheets to be bonded therein and the center portion to act as the spine. The use of the center portion in such an manner will reduce the time it takes to manufacture the booklet in addition to making the procedure or manufacture more simplistic. The printed matter may be used for a number of purposes as the booklet may contain information relating to marketing or promotional material or indeed information relating to the article itself. The booklet may contain vouchers or coupons and it will be understood to one skilled in the art, that such vouchers or coupons may be removed from the booklet by a tearable means such as by a perforation or a score line disposed vertically along a given sheet.

The booklet may have a releasable, re-sealable or non-permanent (breakable) adhesive disposed between the front and back portion of the cover or alternatively between the hanging means disposed on each portion of the cover of the booklet in order to hold the booklet closed until the adhesive has been broken. The use of such a non-permanent adhesive may be useful if it is intended that the booklet is not to be opened until the goods are purchased or the booklet is removed from an article.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blank for producing a booklet cover as described herein above.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures: Fig. l is a perspective view of an open booklet incorporating a folded sheet in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a booklet in accordance with the present invention placed over the neck of the bottle.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the booklet independent from its hanging means containing printed matter in the form of a number of bonded loose sheets in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of part of the booklet independent from its hanging means containing printed matter in the form of a number of bonded loose sheets in accordance with the present invention.

Figure I provides a booklet 10 which has a cover consisting of a front portion 14 and a back portion 16 which is separated by a central portion 18. Each portion 14 and l 6 has a hanging part 20, which contains an aperture 26 that allows the booklets to be hung on an article such as a bottle neck. Between the hanging part and the part of the cover containing the printed matter, a perforated line 24 is disposed. The booklet is shown in the open configuration and when both portions 14 and 16 arc brought together, the booklet is closed and remains closed when it is placed upon the article via the aperture 26. Two lines of adhesive glue 28 are also provided (only one visible in the figure) in order to prevent the booklet from being opened accidentally, and such adhesive would be a breakable, or re-sealable or a non-permanent adhesive.

A central portion 18 allows the front and back portion to open and close easily and accomodates printed matter in the form of bound loose sheets 29.

Figure 2 provides a booklet 10 (shown in Figure 1) which has been placed over the neck of a bottle 30.

Figure 3 provides part of a booklet 10 which has had the hanging part removed from the part of the cover that contains the printed matter which is in the form of multiple loose sheets 29 bound together by a spine 34, the booklet can pivotably open along the central portion 18.

F igure 4 provides part of a booklet which has had the hanging part 20 of the cover removed in a similar manner to that shown in Figure 3, although the printed matter is in the form of a folded leaflet 32 which is folded in a concertina fashion.

In use, the booklet 10 may house either a leaflet or similar folded material 32 adhered to the interior of one of the cover portions 14 or 16 or alternatively, it may comprise loose sheets bound by a spine 34 which again may be either adhered to the central portion 18 or to one of the cover portions 14 or 16. Beads of glue 28 allow the booklet 10 to remain firmly closed until the user wishes to open the booklet. In certain applications, the a bead of glue is not required as when the two cover portions 14 and 16 are brought together and the booklet is placed upon an article such as a bottle 30 the apertures 26 in both of the hanging parts 20 of the cover portions 14 and 16 will ensure that the booklet is substantially closed. The booklet may either be removed from the bottle 30 by lifting the booklet 10 off the neck of the bottle or alternatively, the printed matter may be removed by separating the first hanging part of the cover 20 from the part of the cover that contains the printed matter 22 by tearing along the perforated line 24. A score line can also be used in place of a perforation 24 and commonly, the cover 10 will be produced from a material such as cardboard or plastic coated cardboard.

The booklet can be easily replaced or removed from the bottle at any given time either to allow a customer to remove the booklet for future reference or safekeeping or indeed for a shop keeper to update the booklet with a newer version or one with different information.

In the manufacture of the booklet, if printed matter is in the form of loose sheets 29 bound by a spine 34, the central portion 18 can either receive the spine 34 or act as the spine itself. Commonly, the spine will be produced from an adhesive material which adheres the loose sheets 29 to the cover 10.

The booklet can be used in order to convey information pertaining to the product, such as information relating to a bottle of wine, but may also be used to convey information relating to other products in the range or products from the same manufacturer. Alternatively, the booklet 10 can contain vouchers or coupons which can be tearably removed from the booklet or could in fact contain any information that the manufacturer or retailer wishes to place on top of a particular type of good. The booklet 10 may also be placed on a clothes hanger as the aperture 26 can easily be placed over the hook part of a hanger.

Claims

1. A booklet capable of being hung from an article, comprising printed matter and a cover, the cover capable of partially enveloping the printed matter and comprising a front portion and a back portion, both portions of the cover having a hanging means disposed thereon, the hanging means capable of being separated from the cover by a separation means, the booklet being substantially closed when hung on an article and capable of being opened when either removed from an article or the hanging means is separated from the cover.

2. A booklet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printed matter comprises a number of sheets or a single folded sheet.

3. A booklet as claimed in either claim 1 or 2, wherein the hanging means forms part of the cover

4. A booklet as claimed in claim 3, wherein the separation means comprises a perforation or a score line disposed on the cover.

5. A booklet as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the separation means comprises a releasable, re-sealable or non-permanent adhesive.

6. A booklet as claimed in any of claims I to 5, wherein the hanging means comprises an aperture.

7. A booklet as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hanging means comprises a hook.

8. A booklet as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover and the hanging means are produced from the same material.

9. A booklet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover is produced from a cardboard, plastics coated cardboard or substantially paper based material.

10. A booklet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover excluding the hanging means substantially conforms to the dimensions of the printed matter.

11. A booklet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the article is a container.

12. A booklet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the article is a bottle.

13. A booklet as claimed in any of claims 2 to 12, wherein the printed matter comprises a number of loose sheets bonded together along one edge to form a spine.

14. A booklet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the booklet further comprises a center portion extending vertically between the front portion and the back portion.

15. A booklet as claimed in claim 13, wherein the center portion allows the booklet to fold.

16. A booklet as claimed in either claim 14 or 15, wherein the center portion receives the spine of the bonded sheets.

17. A booklet as claimed in any of claims 14 to 15, wherein the center portion acts as a spine of the bonded sheets.

18. A booklet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the material used to bond the sheets together is selected from one or more of the following materials: adhesives, plastics, rubbers and fabric materials.

19. A booklet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the booklet contains information relating to marketing or promotional material or information relating to the article.

20. A booklet as claimed in any of claims 1 to 18, wherein the booklet contains vouchers or coupons.

21. A booklet as claimed in claim 20, wherein the vouchers or coupons may be removed from the booklet by a tearable means.

22. A booklet as claimed in claim 21, wherein the tearable means comprises a perforation or a score line.

23. A booklet as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a breakable adhesive is disposed between the front and back portion of the cover or between the hanging means on each portion in order to hold the booklet closed until the adhesive is broken.

24. A booklet as claimed in any of claims 1 to 21, wherein resealable adhesive is disposed on the first portion of the cover in order to rereleasably hold the booklet closed.

25. A blank for producing the cover of the booklet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24.

26. A booklet and/or a blank as described in claims I to 25 and with reference to an illustrated in the accompanying figures.