Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F23/00—Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes
  • G09F23/06—Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes the advertising matter being combined with articles for restaurants, shops or offices
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D23/00—Details of bottles or jars not otherwise provided for
  • B65D23/12—Means for the attachment of smaller articles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
  • B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
  • B65D51/245—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes provided with decoration, information or contents indicating devices, labels
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
  • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
  • G11B33/00—Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
  • G11B33/02—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
  • G11B33/04—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers
  • G11B33/0405—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers for storing discs
  • G11B33/0411—Single disc boxes
  • G11B33/0422—Single disc boxes for discs without cartridge
  • G11B33/0427—Single disc boxes for discs without cartridge comprising centre hole locking means

Definitions

• the invention concerns a promotional system comprising a container which has a carrier of promotional material affixed to it in a releasably way.
• the container may be a bottle, such as a soft drink bottle, a beverage can or an open topped drink container.
• the carrier of promotional material is a compact disk, such as one with an outer diameter of about 54 mm, or a promotional token.
• a variety of methods of releasably fixing the container and carrier together can be employed.
• Promoting products is an important function in the modern world.
• products are packaged in a more sophisticated manner to that used in the past.
• the packaging or container used with a particular product usually displays information in an appealing and attractive manner, to encourage consumers to select that product from among other competing products.
• Some simple give-away items may be included with" a product, either inside the product's container or packaging so they are only available after the product is opened, or on the exterior if this is not possible.-
• An improved and alternative approach has now been found to combine a give- away item of a promotional nature with a container of a product that a consumer c.onsequently desires to purchase.
• the invention involves a promotional system comprising a container having a carrier of promotional material releasably fixed to it.
• the container is a bottle
• the carrier of promotional material may be a compact disk having pre-recorded data on at least one side.
• the carrier of promotional material may be a token having data of a promotional nature on at least one side.
• the carrier should be a compact disk, then it may have an outer diameter of about 54 mm.
• the compact disk may contain pre-recorded music, pre-recorded video or images, pre-recorded data able to be read using a computer, pre-recorded data able to . interact on the internet, or a pre-recorded game able to be read using an electronic games console, or combinations of any of these.
• the promotional system may additionally contain an adaptor able to retain the compact disk, and of a size and shape to be inserted into. a compact disk player that is of the tray type, so as to allow the compact disk to be playable in the player.
• the adaptor may have a central aperture of a diameter that matches the outer diameter of the compact disk, and have means to retain the compact disk concentrically within this aperture, such that the adaptor is otherwise of the same general shape and size of a standard compact disk.
• the carrier should be a token, then it' may be a disk that has an outer diameter of about 54 mm.
• the bottle may be made of a plastic or of glass, or other suitable materials.
• the bottle is for carbonated beverages.
• One preferred container for use with the promotional system may be one having a top portion having a neck opening and a closure cap for the opening, a base portion and generally tubular sides, but other types of containers may also be suitable.
• the promotional system employs a variety of ways to fix the carrier and container together in a releasable fashion.
• the carrier of promotional material may be releasably affixed to the closure cap of the container.
• the carrier of promotional material may be releasably affixed to the base of the container.
• the carrier of promotional material may be releasably affixed to the sides of the container, and in this case preferably the promotional system is such that the maximum size of the carrier of promotional material is approximately no greater than the minimum size of the projection of the container onto the carrier.
• the carrier of promotional material is approximately co-extensive with the surface to which it is releasable affixed, or to a projection of the container onto the carrier.
• the carrier of promotional material is releasably affixed to the container by means of an adhesive.
• the carrier of promotional material is releasably affixed to the container by means of a break-away coating or wrapping.
• the carrier of promotional material may be releasably affixed to the container by means of releasable latching means integral with and on either or both of the container and the carrier-
• the carrier of promotional material may be releasably affixed to the container by latching means that releasably retains the carrier, and releasably latches to the container.
• the latching means may be separate from the container a.s well as from the .carrier.
• the carrier of promotional material may be releasably affixed to the container by means of manually releasable closure means on the container interlinking with the carrier.
• the carrier of promotional material is releasably affixed to the container by other bonding means. Also, combinations- of the approaches outlined above may be utilized.
• the carrier of promotional material may be releasably affixed to the container in a tamper-proof manner.
• the carrier may be retained at least partly within a recess in the container.
• the carrier may be retained against a surface of the container.
• another aspect of the invention involves a method of promotion of a product, which comprises allowing a consumer to select a promotional system, the promotional system comprising a container having a carrier of promotional information releasably affixed thereto, and th . product is contained within the container, and the promotional information appeals to the consumer; whereby the consumer purchases the promotional system, and releases the carrier from the container to obtain the- promotional information.
• a promotipnal article comprising a cup that releasably retains a carrier of promotional information within a recess therein, and releasably latches to a portion of a container-
• the carrier and container is as outlined above.
• a promotional device combining a compact disc holder function and a compact disc adaptor function; said device adapted to releasably attach a compact disc to a container; said device further adapted for conversion from said holder function to said adaptor function by rotation of a plurality of radially disposed elements from a first coplanar radially inward direction to a. second coplanar radially outward direction.
• said holder function provides for the releasable attachment of a non-standard diameter compact disc to a container.
• said adaptor function provides for the playing of said non-standard compact disc in a tray type compact disc player.
• said non-standard compact disc has a diameter smaller than a standard 120 millimeter disc.
• said container is a metal beverage container of circular section provided with an .upper sealing rim.
• said container is a jar . having a circular lid.
• said container is bottle having a cylindrical base portion.
• said container is any metal can of circular section having at least an upper sealing rim.
• said non-standard compact disc- is of a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of said container.
• said device is provided with a downwardly depending annular skirt; said skirt having an internal diameter adapted to releasably engage with said sealing rim as a sliding fit.
• said skirt has an internal surface provided with at least one annular inwardly projecting ridge adapted to releasably engage with said sealing rim as a snap fit.
• said internal diameter of said skirt is adapted to releasably engage with said circular lid as a press fit.
• said internal diameter and surface of said skirt is adapted to releasably engage with said cylindrical base portion of said bottle.
• said skirt is detachably connected along its upper internal edge to a plurality of leaf elements extending radially inward from said upper internal edge.
• said leaf elements are of approximately trapezoidal shape so as to have side edges tapering radially inwards from a concavely curving base edge.
• said leaf elements are- detachably connected to a central hub-.
• said central hub is provided with a downwardly projecting boss adapted to the retention of said non-standard compact disc by engaging a standard diameter central aperture in said non-standard compact disc as a press fit.
• said non-standard compact disc is retained within said device when said device is functioning as a compact disc holder; said compact disc outer diameter lying inside said internal diameter of said annular skirt; a surface of said compact disc lying adjacent to the underside of said leaf elements; said compact disc standard diameter central aperture engaging said downwardly projecting boss of said central hub.
• connections of said leaf elements to said skirt and connections of said leaf elements to said central hub are by means of thin breakable elements.
• each leaf element of said plurality of leaf elements is provided with at least a pair of tabs extending ' outwardly from the upper surface of said leaf element and at least one ledge extending outwardly from the lower surface of said leaf element; said at least a pair of tabs and said at least one ledge spaced apart so as to nest the edge of a standard thickness compact disc.
• said device is converted from said compact disc holder function to said compact disc adaptor function by steps including ' : (a) breaking said thin breakable elements joining •said leaf elements to said skirt so as to remove said skirt from said device, (b) removing said non-standard compact disc from said boss of said central hub, ( ⁇ ) breaking said thin breakable elements joining said hub to said leaf elements so as to remove said hub from said device, (d) rotating each said leaf element out of the common plane of said leaf elements about said flexible elements from said first coplanar radially inward ⁇ direction to said second coplanar radially outward direction, (e) inserting the edge of said non-standard compact disc to nest between each of said at least a pair of tabs and said at least one ledge of each of said leaf elements so as to form a coplanar assembly of said non-standard compact disc with said leaf elements.
• a method for the presentation of promotional material with containers wherein said method includes the provision attachment means; said attachment means convertible to adaptor means; said method including the steps of: (a) Preparation of promotional material in the form of non-standard compact discs, (b) Insertion of said non-standard compact discs into said attachment means, (c) Attaching said attachment means to said containers .
• said adaptor means enable the playin • of said non-standard compact disc in a • tray type compact disc player.
• said non-standard compact disc is smaller than a standard 120 millimeter compact disc.
• attachment means are converted to adaptor means by the steps of: (a) Removing said attachment means from said container, (b) Removing said non-standard compact disc from said attachment means, (c) Modifying said attachment means to form said adaptor means, (d) Attaching said adaptor means, to said non-standard compact disc.
• a closure lid for a beverage container said closure lid provided with central support and retention means for a promotional digital data storage disc; said closure lid formed as a single plastic item.
• said beverage container is a cup-shaped disposable drink container having a circular upper edge.
• said central support means is in the form of a central raised circular portion? said portion provided with a diameter at the base of said portion slightly smaller than the central aperture. of said storage disc and a diameter at the top of said portion slightly larger than said central aperture.
• beverage container is formed of a plastic material.
• beverage container is formed of paper.
• closure lid is comprised of a circular central portion provided at its periphery with an annular inverted ⁇ O" shaped rim.
• said circular central portion includes a circular raised central portion; the diameter of said raised central portion approximately equal to the diameter of said central aperture of said digital data storage disc.
• said rim is adapted to seat over said circular upper edge of said beverage container; said rim and said circular central portion so dimensioned as to provide a friction fit between the internal surface of said beverage container and the internal annular surface of said rim.
• said raised central portion extends upwardly from said circular central portion to project above the upper surface of a- digital data storage disc when said disc is resting on said circular central portion.
• the diameter of a lower portion of said circular raised central portion is slightly smaller than said diameter of said central aperture.
• the diameter of said circular raised central portion projecting above said upper surface of a digital data storage disc resting on said circular central portion is slightly larger than said central aperture.
• said circular raised central portion is provided with slits arranged to form a cro ' ss centered on said raised central portion and adapted for piercing by a drinking straw.
• an annular portion of said circular central portion adjacent said annular rim forms a depressed trough such that the periphery of said digital data storage disc overlies said depressed trough.
• said digital data storage disc has a diameter of approximately 80 -millimetres.
• said digital data storage disc is provided with a circular transparent protective sleeve.
• a method for the provision to a consumer of a promotional digital data storage disc with a disposable beverage container including providing a closure lid with said beverage cup; said- closure lid formed as a single plastic item adapted to support and retain said digital data storage disc.
• beverage container is a cup-shaped disposable drink container having a circular upper edge.
• said closure lid is' comprised of a circular central portion provided with a rim adapted to seat over said circular upper edge of said beverage container and a raised central portion adapted to retain said data storage disc.
• Figure 1 shows one embqdiment of the promotional system, where the carrier is held within a separate cup that attaches to the base of the bottle.
• Figure 2 shows a slightly different embodiment, and a more detailed view, than the embodiment shown in Figure 1, with the latching cup, CD carrier and bottle container shown separated.
• Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, with the latching cup, CD carrier and bottle container shown in place.
• Figure 4 relates to an alternate embodiment, where the carrier is retained on a cap for the bottle, and shows a bottle cap wit.h an integrated latching mechanism for retaining a CD carrier.
• Figure 5 shows yet another version of the promotional system.
• the CD is retained within a recess on the side of the bottle, and covered by a label.
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of a promotional system for the attachment of a CD to the base of a bottle by means of an adaptor configurable so as to allow the CD to be played in a tray type CD player.
• Figure 7 is a perspective view of a promotional system for the attachment of a CD to the top of a beverage can by means of an adaptor configurable so as to allow the CD to be played in a tray type CD player.
• Figure 8 is a portion of the adaptor of figure 7.
• Figure 9 shows partial sectioned elevation views of the adaptor of figures 7 - 8,
• Figure 10 is a perspective view of the adaptor of either figure 6 or figures 7 - 9. when configured for playing a promotional CD according to the invention in a tray type CD player.
• Figure 11 is a perspective view of a further version of a promotional system for the provision of a data disc as an attachment to the closure lid of a drink container.
• Figure 12 comprises cross section side views of portions of the promotional system of figure 11. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• a promotional system (1) consisting of a soft-drink bottle (2) having a top surface (3), a base (4) and sides (5).
• the top (3) has a neck (6) and a cap (7) ,
• a compact disk (8) that is the carrier of promotional information, which is retained within the cup (9) in a recess at the bottom of the cup.
• the cup (9) is releasably affixed over the base (4) of the bottle (2) ' .
• a promotional system (lj is displayed consisting of a soft-drink bottle (2) having a top surface (3), a base (4) and sides (5).
• the top (3) has a neck (6) and a cap (7) .
• a compact disk (8) that is the carrier of promotional information such as music that can be played in a CD player.
• the compact disk (8) is releasable fixed to the base (4) of the bottle (2) by means of a cup (9) which functions as a releasable latching means.
• the compact disk (8) has a diameter that is commensurate with the diameter of the base (4) and sides (5) of the bottle; for example of 54 mm-
• the cup (9) has a recess (10) in its base that is the .same size as the CD (8), so that the CD can be retained in the base of the cup. In this example, this is done by means of dimples- (11) that retain the CD in its recess (10) located " just above the top surface of the CD when it is positioned within its recess.
• the CD (8) can be released from its recess using finger -press on the base of the cup.
• the plastic material of the cup is deformable so that the CD pops out of its recess past the dimples.
• the cup (9) has sides (12) that are of the same dimensions as the base (4) area of the bottle, so that it fits snugly around the base.
• the base of the cup is flat, to allow the bottle to stand up when the cup is in place.
• the cup (9) fits around the base (4) of the . bottle, and in this example, there is a small ridge (13) extending around the upper edge of the cup that acts ' as a finger grip to assist with removing the cup (9) from the bottle (2).
• FIG 3 shows the same promotional system (1) in- partial cross-section, with the bottle (2) / cup (9) a CD (8) in place.
• the cup (9) fits firmly around the base (4) area of the bottle (the drawing in Figure 2 exaggerates the gap between the cup and bottle surface for clarity)
• ⁇ he cup (9) is preferably designed to leave a space (13) between the bottom of the bottle and the CD. This helps prevent the information-carrying surface of the CD from being scratched or otherwise damaged.
• the material from which the cup is made should be sufficiently ⁇ strong to support the * weight of the bottle, and flexible enough to allow the CD to be removed from the cup, and- the cup from the base of the bottle.
• Some bottles have strengthening indents around their base, as indicated as (15) in Figure 2, while others do not, as shown in Figure 1.
• the sides (12) of the cup may or may not match the pattern of these indents (15) .
• Other means than the dimples (10) in Figure 2 may be used to hold the CD (8) in place. More than one method may be used.
• Figure 4 shows a cap (20) that forms part Of another embodiment of the invention.
• the cap (2) contains- latching means (21) in its top surface.
• the latching means (21) consist of a number of flexible teeth that engage with the central hole of a CD, to retain it in place on the cap.
• the top of the bottle, with the cap and its attached CD in place may, in one preferred embodiment, be covered by a cup arrangement, similar to that described above, but without the CD-retaining recess in the cup. Or else, the cup can be dispensed with, or the bottle/cap/CD arrangement may be covered with a protective film.
• the bottle (2) has a recess (25) located in the side (5) of the bottle, with a latching means (26) consist of a number of flexible teeth that engage with the central hole (14) of a CD (8), to retain it in -place.
• a retaining label (28) on the bottle helps to holds, it in place.
• the label may be a separate strip of plastic that matches the design on the label that is printed or glued directly onto the side of the bottle. Otherwise, it may be a transparent strip or a wrapping covering the entire bottle. Th retaining label (28) may be dispensed with, also.
• the container may be a bottle.
• the container may otherwise be a can, a tin, a flask, a jar, a flagon, a decanter, a pot, ' cup especially one with a removable cover, or the like.
• the container is suitable for holding beverages, such as carbonated beverages, for human consumption.
• the bottle, or other container may be made from any suitable material, such as plastic or glass. If the container is a bottle for carbonated beverages, it ideally may be made from glass, or a plastic such as PET.
• the carrier of promotional material preferably is a compact disk, or a token or ticket carrying promotional material.
• the compact disk, or other suitable carrier of information may contain a variety of different types of information, including, but not limited to: pre-recorded music, or pre-recorded video or images, or pre-recorded data able to be read using a computer or able to interact with the internet or other data system such as that used with mobile telephones, or else a pre-recorded game able to be read using an electronic games console.
• pre-recorded music or pre-recorded video or images
• pre-recorded data able to be read using a computer or able to interact with the internet or other data system such as that used with mobile telephones, or else a pre-recorded game able to be read using an electronic games console.
• compact disk includes any device that can be played in a compact ' disk player, which normally has a central aperture to allow for playing it in the type of player that retains the disk by means of this aperture.
• the compact disk (or "CD") is a moulded plastic disk containing digital data. A low powered laser beam scans the disk to reproduce recorded information.
• the compact disk was invented by Philips Electronics N.V. and Sony Corporation in 1980, and introduced commercially in 1982 ' for digital audio reproduction.
• the compact disk has expanded beyond audio recordings into other storage and data distribution uses, notably for computers (eg, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW) and entertainment systems (eg, videodisk, DVD) . .
• a standard CD is 120. mm (4.75 inches) in diameter and is 1.2 mm (0.05 inches) thick, and has a central circular hole. It is composed of a clear polycarbonate plastic substrate, a reflective metallic layer, and a clear protective coating of acrylic plastic.
• the reflective metallic layer holds the data, which is kept in the form of minuscule depressions (pits) and contrasting flat regions (lands) that are arranged in a spiral track . (groove) winding from the disk's inner hole to its circumference. The centres of adjacent grooves are ' spaced 1.6 micrometres apart.
• the central hole has a diameter of 15 mm.
• a smaller CD (eg, Minidisk) of 80 mm (3.1 inches) in diameter is also used for audio.
• video disks eg, "laserdisk” with a diameter of 120 to 300 mm (4.7 to 11.8 inches).
• a DVD has the same dimensions as a standard CD but cannot be read by a standard CD player, although a DVD player can read standard CDs.
• DVD disks have smaller pits and separation tracks than with a standard CD.
• CDs have a shape that is not circular, for example they can be rectangular or square. Also CDs may not have a centre hole, or may be double sided.
• the CD that is one preferred embodiment of the •invention is ideally of a size that is commensurate with the container to which it is affixed.
• An example of this, is a smaller than normal CD, being a round disk with an outer diameter of 54mm, although other sizes close to this size are also possible.
• the centre hole should ideally match that for a standard- CD.
• the CDs that are to be utilised in the promotional system should be selected with one constant diameter, and that of 54mm is preferred.
• the CD should be manufactured in the same manner as other CDs are currently manufactured, but with a different outer diameter, and made from the same material, generally a poly-carboxylate polymer..
• CDs There are commonly two types of players for CDs. One type holds the CD by means of its centre hole while loading it into the player, while the other type requires the CD to be placed in a tray resting there on the CD's outer edge.
• the small CDs which are a preferred embodiment of the current invention, will work with the first type- of player, but may require an adaptor to work with the second type of player. This adaptor would allow a CD that is smaller than the standard size of a CD to be held in the tray of the piayer, and thus to operate like a standard CD.
• an adaptor is optional. But if the container is a bottle for beverages, then such an adaptor may be included in the bulk packaging for a six-pack, carton, or other bulk packaging for the bottles, for instance.
• the adaptor is able to retain the compact disk, of whatever size it may be, and allow the combined compact disk and adaptor to be inserted into a tray-type of CD player.
• the adaptor will have a central aperture with a matching diameter with the compact disk that is the carrier, and have means to retain it in place. It otherwise may be the same shape and size as a standard CD; namely 120 mm in diameter and about 1.2 mm thick.
• any suitable means to hold the CD in place within the central cavity of the adaptor can be used.
• the inner diameter of the adaptor may be slightly concave and a little larger, than the outer diameter and thickness of the carrier CD, allowing the two to be clipped together using a small amount of pressure.
• the adaptor may be removable, and therefore able to be used with other carrier CDs, or else it may be permanently attached. Otherwise small clips, or other means, may be used to hold the adaptor and carrier CD together.
• the adaptor may be a solid annulus, or else have patterns of voids within it, to reduce its weight.
• the adaptor may be constructed of any suitable material, but can, if desired, be made from some relatively inexpensive material, such as a plastic.
• the adaptor its.elf can be a portion of a compact disk, which is playable together with the carrier CD.
• the adapter may contain advertising or promotional material on its surface, together with instructions for connecting it to the inner carrier compact disk. It may have promotional information on it that will interact with the information on the carrier compact disk. For example, there may be a competition, which requires information to win being on the carrier CD (or non-CD item if the carrier is not a CD) as well as on the carrier.
• the adaptor may be a portion of a CD having the software to run an electronic game, while the interchangeable carrier CD portion holds different data, or game scenarios, levels or add-ons, to run with the software.
• the carrier may, instead of a compact disk, be a promotional token or ticket.
• a promotional token or ticket will hold promotional information on it, normally of a written or graphical nature, which is normally retrievable after the container to which it is affixed is purchased and the carrier removed.
• a circular, flat token made of a resilient material that is resistant , to bending, such as hard plastic, cardboard, o metal, which has promotional material on one side, which is ideally the interior side that lies closest to the surface of the container to which it is attached.
• the other, exterior, side of the token may have promotional material as well of a less significant nature, or other information such as advertising material.
• the promotional material on the interior side will not be discernable until the ticket is removed.
• the interior side may have promotional material that has an opaque covering layer, that can only be discerned after removing the token from the container, and scratching the covering layer away.
• the promotional material in this instance may be the answers to a competition, for example.
• a token that has a size similar to the surface to which it is attached is preferred.
• Such a token may " be a circular disk with a diameter or 54 mm. Other sizes may also be selected instead.
• a token and a CD may be affixed in combination. Or a multiplicity of tokens, or CDs, or mixture of CDs and tokens may be affixed to the container.
• An example ' of a suitable- container for use with the promotional system is one that has a top surface with a neck opening that has a closure cap for this opening, a base and generally tubular sides.
• the tubular sides will then generally match the overall shape of the preferred flat disk CD and/or token carrier of promotional • information.
• the carrier • may be affixed to the container at a variety of positions.
• the carrier may be affixed to the closure cap, the base of the container, or • to its sides.
• the relative sizes of the carrier and the container to whiph it is fixed should be of similar. This means, that if a 54mm CD is fixed to the cap • of a soft-drink bottle, then its overall dimensions is commensurate with the size of the waist of the bottle, so as not to affect the packing, storag and transportation facilities required for the container.
• a 54mm CD or token is normally approximately the same size as the diameter of the bottle's base area.
• One method of attaching the carrier and container is to use an releasable adhesive, ideally one that will allow the two items to be. separated by hand, but strong enough to keep them fixed together until their purchase, and an adhesive material that does not cause damage to either item in the process.
• Another method for attachment is to place the two items together and fix them i place using a break-away coating or wrapping that partially or fully surrounds them both. This may involve shrink-wrapping them with a thermoplastic ' layer material that can be removed by hand after purchase to release the carrier and container.
• Yet another method is by means of releasable latching means integral with, and located on, either or both of the container and the carrier. Examples of this are to attach the CD or a token having a centre hole to the top of the cap or around the neck portion of a bottle, or to a tear- away portion of a cap, using latching means.
• the CD, or token with an aperture can be fixed to a latching means comprising a circular and flexible set of teeth, such as shown in Figure 4 in the drawings.
• the CD or token may have latch means integral to them,, perhaps located around their outer edge, as a set of bendable and lat ⁇ hable' teeth for instance, which can grip to the top or base of a bottle.
• this method may be combined with shrink-wrapping the items together, for added strength and tamper proofing.
• the promotional .system may be one where the carrier of promotional material is releasably af ixed to the container by manually releasable closure means on the container interlinking, with the carrier. This may be by having a ring-pull closure on the container to hold the carrier in place by projection through the centre hold of the CD for example, and only releasing it when the ring-pull is used to open the container.
• the carrier may also be fixed in a releasable manner to the container, by being held in a carrier-shaped niche or recess,
• a carrier-shaped niche or recess One example is shown in Figure 5.
• the promotional system may be one where the carrier of promotional material is releasably affixed to the container by other bonding means, known to fix two items together in a releasable manner.
• a further and preferred approach is to use latching means that releasably retains the carrier, and releasably latches to the container.
• the latching means in this instance may be separate from the carrier and container. Or if desired there may be some attachment means present.
• a separate latching means is the cup demonstrated in the drawings in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
• the cup may be made ' of any suitable material, especially plastic material, and more especially a cheap and light material but one strong enough and resilient enough to retain the CD or token within it, and latch to the base of the bottle or other container, and also to support the weight of the bottle, without breaking ' , splitting or being damaged.
• the carrier is releasable held in a compartment in the base of the cup, and there is an air gap between the playable surface of the CD (or side containing the important promotional information for a token) , which is orientated towards the interior of the cup, and the base surface of the bottle.
• the cup may be transparent, so that one side of the CD or token is made visible through the cup material, or else opaque, in order to hide this, as the type and situation of the promotion may dictate.
• the cup may also be printed with advertising, additional promotional information, or with attractive images, for instance.
• the cup has a further and unexpected advantage, in that it may be used, once the carrier has been removed, as a drinking vessel for the contents of the soft-drink bottle. Or else the cup can be used to measure amounts of the contents of the container, by providing the cup with measuring graduations or other indications of quantity.
• the cup may also be used to share the contents with other people.
• the cup may also contain, or be structured a ⁇ jewel-case' for the CD it contains, to allow the CD to be stored and protected when not being played. A separate conventional jewel case for the CD may be provided and included with the promotional system, if desired,
• a further aspect of the invention- involves a promotional article comprising a cup that releasably retains a carrier of promotional information within a recess therein, and releasably latches to a portion of a container.
• the carrier of ⁇ promotional information is a compact disk or a token having data of a promotional nature on at least one side.
• the carrier of promotional information is a disk with an outer diameter of about 54 mm. -It may or may not also have a centre aperture, although this will normally be the situation with a CD as the carrier.
• the container is preferably a bottle-.
• the cup releasably latches on to the base portion of the bottle, and may be released to gain access to the carrier from inside its recess.
• the recess is at the base of the cup, and there is an airspace above the carrier when it is in place within its recess, between the carrier and the base of the bottle, or other container, when the cup is in place releasably latched upon the bottle.
• the cup may be made from any suitable material .
• the material should be strong enough to support the bottle, without damage to the carrier or to itself. It may be transparent, or opaque, and may be coloured or printed in various ways .
• a compact disc holder and adaptor 100 is shown adapted for atta ⁇ hement to the base of a beverage bottle (not shown) .
• Compact disc holder and adaptor 100 is comprised of annular skirt 112, central hub 113 and leaves 114.
• Compact disc holder and adaptor 100 is formed from any suitable material but is preferably injection moulded from a relatively stiff but flexible plastic.
• skirt 112 is connected to leaves 114 by means of a plurality of pairs of thin bridging lugs 115 adjoining flexible curved elements 116 which interconnect each of adjoining leaves 114.
• the inner edges of leaves' 114 are in turn connected by thin bridging lugs 117 to central hub 113.
• skirt 112 is adapted to releasably attach to the base of a bottle beverage container for which the compact disc holder and adaptor 100 is intended.
• inner surface .118 is provided with annular ring 119 adapted to grip around the bade of a bottle as a close sliding fit.
• Central hub 113 is so formed as to project above the upper surface of leaves 114 and is of a diameter adapted to allow the retention of a compact disc (not shown) by a press fit between the hub and the standard central .aperture of the compact disc.
• Figure 7 shows an example of the present embodiment adapted for retention of a compact disc 221 retained in adapter 200 attached to the top of a beverage can.
• the edges 222 of leaves .214 adjoining rim 212 are curved with radius ⁇ R' where R is the ' adius of the compact disc supported within the compact disc holder and adaptor 210. Furthermore edges
• twin tabs 223 extending from the upper surface of leaves 214 located towards the outer ends of edge 222, and ledge 224 extending from the lower surface of leaves 214 in the centre of edge 222.
• Edges 222 of leaves 214 now lie on a circle of diameter 2R which is equal to the diameter of the small compact disc supplied with the beverage can.
• the corners of outer edges 225 which initially adjoined central hub 213 now define a circle 226 with diameter D' which is the diameter ' of a standard 120 millimeter compact disc.
• the small compact disc (not shown in figure 4 for clarity) is now clipped into the adaptor 300 so that the edge of the compact disc is held between tabs- 223 and ledges 224.
• the small compact disc and adaptor 300 now lie in the one plane simulating a 120 millimeter compact disc and may be inserted into a tray type compact disc player in the manner of a standard compact disc.
• a compact ' disc holder for releasable attachment to a container may be in the form of a lid for an open topped drink container.
• Disposable beverage containers such as used by take-away food outlets and snack bars are frequently fitted with a snap-on or friction fit lid to prevent spillage of the beverage when the container is carried from a point of sale to a point of consumption.
• the present embodiment of the invention is directed at a lid suited to this purpose and additionally adapted to supply a consumer with a promotional item in the form of a digital storage disc such as a compact disc (CD) or a digital video disc (DVD) .
• CD compact disc
• DVD digital video disc
• closure lid 400 is fitted to a beverage container in the form of a standard disposable drinking cup 420 having a circular upper edge 421.
• Closure lid 400 in at least one preferred embodiment is formed from a single piece of thin plastic material such as for example a thermoplastic.
• closure lid 400 is comprised of a circular central portion 422 provided at its periphery with an annular inverted U" shaped rim 423. Circular central portion 422 is further provided at its centre with a raised central portion 424.
• an annular portion of the circular central portion 422 adjacent to the rim 423 is depressed relative to the level of central portion 422 so as to form an annular trough 425.
• the inverted "U" shaped rim 423 is so formed, and is of a diameter adapted to fit over the edge 421 of a standard disposable cup-shaped beverage container.
• a standard disposable cup-shaped beverage container typically such containers are provided with a rounded or rolled edge depending on the material of construction and in at least one form of the closure lid 400 the rim 423 is provided with an additional indentation (not shown) adapted to form a slight snap fit with edge 421.
• the diameter at the junction 429 between the inner leg of the w ⁇ " shaped rim and the annular trough 425 is such as to provide a friction fit with the inner surface 430 of container 420.
• Circular central portion 422 is adapted to support a digital data storage disc 26 and has a raised central portion 424 adapted to retain disc 426. It may also, be provided with cruciform slits as shown in figure 1 so as to allow the insertion of a drinking straw. Raised central portion 424 is of a height so as to project through the central aperture 427 of a digital data storage disc 26 placed on the upper surface 427 of circular central portion 22. .
• Raised central portion 424 "" is so formed that the diameter Dl of that portion of raised central portion 424 passing through central aperture 427, is just smaller than the diameter of central aperture 427, and the diameter D2 of that portion of raised central portion 424 extending above the upper surface of the digital data storage disc 426 is just larger than the diameter of central aperture 427,
• the plastic material of closure lid 400 is sufficiently deformable and resilient to allow the aperture of a digital data storage disc " to be pushed over the larger- diameter D2 so as to seat on circular central portion 22.
• the upper portion of raised ' central portion 424 then recovers its original diameter to thus retain the disc in position until required for use.
• digital data storage disc is provided with a circular transparent protective sleeve (not shown) .
• the sleeve may be sealed around its periphery with a central aperture approximately equal to that of the central aperture 427 of disc 426.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)

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Cited By (15)

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Citations (8)

• 2004
  • 2004-05-18 JP JP2005518239A patent/JP2006518309A/ja active Pending
  • 2004-05-18 WO PCT/AU2004/000644 patent/WO2005013247A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (8)

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