GB2416904A - Integrally axled rivetless spinning disc - Google Patents

Abstract

A promotional device comprising; a disc (1.1) of sheet material having an integral axle (1.2), the disc (1.1) being connected to the axle (1.2) by a line of weakness (2.1), said line of weakness (2.1) being broken upon rotation of the disc (1.1). The disc (1.1) is printed with information and held between sheets of paper or board which are provided with apertures (1.3) so that the information may be observed. Preferably the device is used as a mailer, and as such is provided with a detachable tab that may be removed by the recipient, and returned to the sender.

Description

1 2416904

Description

Integrally Axled Rivetless Spinning Wheel (spinner) This invention relates to a printed spinning wheel enclosed in a printed outer housing both typically made from carton board - most often used for marketing and sales promotion activities. Normally included in the final design would be apertures in the outer through which images printed on the inner spinning wheel can be seen - a thumb cut scoop cut from the outers enabled the wheel to be held and spun.

Such pieces exist and are often used for educational, sales, marketing purposes - where a pair/match can be found by spinning the inner wheel and exposing images on the wheel viewed through apertures on the outer housing.

There are currently two main construction methods employed when producing such a printed spinner - both of which are flawed in their construction and production method.

First construction method - is to rivet the inner wheel to the outer housing using a metal or plastic rivet or eyelet - this can be time consuming, expensive, environmentally insensitive and often not appropriate particularly when large volumes are required - a rivet through the whole product also detracts from the overall appearance and aesthetics and can interfere with the design/print on the piece. If used for educational purposes and particularly where younger children are concerned, rivets would not be advisable from a safety aspect.

Secondly - some spinners are produced having no axle at all and rely on a small circular aperture at the centre of the spinning wheel with glue applied through the aperture fixing the two outer cases together and acting as the axle for the spinning wheel part - for this method to work at all successfully, the two outer case pieces need to be depressed inwards (de-bossed) to form a sort of make-shift axle. This method is not robust as no defined axle is produced for the inner wheel to run on and the depression (de-bossed areas) on the outers can detract from the design and affect the aesthetics of the printed image.

In this application, de-bossed circles are used to keep the two outer pieces separated thus reducing any friction between the outers and wheel and allowing free spinning of the wheel.

An object of this invention is to produce a spinner that has a true integrated axle and can be manufactured as an in-line product from a single sheet by anyone with the appropriate printing, punching and gluing capabilities - typically carton manufacturers have all of these capabilities.

An additional attribute of this invention is that the spinner can incorporate an integral tear off reply piece to act as a recipient mailer response device. In the case of a direct mail piece - both the main mailer and the response tear off piece can be personalised for both distribution and data capture The integrated axle allows for smooth and consistent running of the spinners, it is an environmentally friendly solution (no metal or plastic needed) it is safe, easy to manufacture and use.

The essence of this invention which is a spinner with integral axle will now be described in detail and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan of the printed sheet after punching out and prior to gluing or folding Figure 2 is a close up of the integral axle section with ties Figure 3 shows the glue positions Figures 4, 5 and 6 show the folding sequences Figure 7 shows a finished spinner before release Figure 8 shows the spinner with wheel release and tear off piece detached As shown in figure 1, the spinner is made from a single flat punched sheet of paper or board (sufficiently rigid to enable the finished item to perform properly in the market it is intended). Shown is the wheel (.1), the axle (1.2), possible apertures (1.3) (although these can vary in size and position depending on the design/purpose) and the de-bossed spacer areas (1.4) which are only visible from the reverse angle view Figure 2 shows a close up of the integral axle as part of the wheel element - the axle is punched on the circumference except at points (2.1) which are the ties that keep the axle attached to the main wheel during the gluing and folding processes. Important Note - The first time the recipient turns the wheel, the ties are broken and the wheel spins on its axle - this is one of the main attributes of this application for patent.

The axle allows for true running of the wheel for better spin ability, robust operation and longevity.

Figure 3 shows the glue positions marked with an x (3.1) that can be used to encase the wheel and fix the inner wheel's integral axle to the outer cases.

The glue can be applied mechanically and in a commercial environment.

Figure 4,5 and 6 shows an open spinner followed by the folding sequence of the spinner after glue application.

Figure 7 illustrates the finished spinner Figure 8 shows the spinner with tear off piece (8.1) detached which releases the wheel to enable it to be held and turned - when the finished spinner (8.2) is turned for the first time, the ties (2.1) on the axle (1.2) are broken and the wheel spins.

A further application of the spinner is that the tear off piece (8.1) can either be recycled or can be used to print further sales messages/form a keepsake or act as a reply/response device.

If used as a reply/response device, part of the post print and finishing process would be to personalise the spinner and have the recipient's details on the tear off piece which after initial detachment would be sent back in the post to the product marketing team/promotion administrators for data capture and data processing for future uses.

Claims (9)

1. The Claims 1. A spinning wheel (spinner) promotional piece or mailer that

   incorporates an integral axle that is released from it's ties upon first turn of the wheel so that the inner wheel spins truly and consistently.
2. 2. A spinner as claimed in Claim 1 where the spinner incorporates a tear off reply/response device for data capture purposes.
3. 3. A spinner as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 where de-bossed areas act as spacers for the wheel to spin smoothly.
4. 4. A spinner as claimed in Claim 3 where the tear off release section can be used as a business reply/mailer response device.
5. 5. A spinner as claimed in any preceding claim to include window apertures in the outer section to enable the images printed on the wheel element to be viewed subject to the design or function of the spinner.
6. 6. A spinner as claimed in any preceding claim where the window apertures can be on both sides of the outer sections and viewed from either side or where the wheel has images on both sides.
7. 7. A spinner as claimed in any preceding claim the size of which can vary according to the design/purpose and that can be manufactured commercially.
8. 8. A spinner as claimed in any preceding claim which is made from paper, carton board, plastics material, metal or a combination of these.
9. 9. A spinner substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.