CONCEALMENT APPARATUS AND BLANK THEREFOR

[0001] The present invention relates to a concealment apparatus for a product container of the type that, for example, conceals matter for promotional purposes. The present invention also relates to a blank for a concealment apparatus for a product container of the type that, for example, conceals matter when assembled.

[0002] In the field of paper products and other such materials capable of carrying print for promotional purposes, a number of technologies are employed by promoters of products and services in order to engage consumers so as to convey, as effectively as possible, marketing information.

[0003] One known technology is so-called "scratch cards", where a layer of printed matter is overlaid with a thin layer of abradable material that can be removed by a scratching action with, for example, an edge of a coin or a finger nail. However, deposition of such a concealment mechanism is not always desirable or practical on certain surfaces. For example, a surface of a "paper cup" may receive the layer of abradable material when a blank for the cup is planar, but can become damaged when the blank is assembled so that the planar surface becomes arcuate. Also, such surfaces are exposed and so subject to "innocent" abrasion from neighbouring objects during transit or stocking on a merchandising stand. Further, the layer of abrasive material can also be vulnerable to malicious abrasion by third parties as the layer of abrasive material is unprotected.

[0004] Another known technique comprises providing a layer of print on a carrier such as cardboard and provision of a layer of peelable material over the print, for example a thin layer of plastics material, over the print. However, such an arrangement requires the use of adhesives to hold the layer of peelable material against the layer of print. This technique is also vulnerable to malicious removal of the peelable layer. Further, from a recycling perspective, the layer of peelable material creates an addition complication in a recycling process.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a concealment apparatus for a product container, the apparatus comprising: a closed cover piece for overlying at least part of the product container, the closed cover piece being arranged to conceal, when in use, matter behind an exterior surface of the closed cover piece; wherein the closed cover piece comprises an opening mechanism arranged to permit opening of the closed cover piece in order to facilitate access to the matter.

[0006] The closed cover piece may be frangibly openable by manipulation of the opening mechanism. The opening mechanism may provide a resistance insufficient to induce sudden

movement to an object abutting, when in use, the closed cover piece, for example a drinking vessel.

[0007] The opening mechanism may comprise an appendage arranged to facilitate finger manipulation of at least part of the opening mechanism.

[0008] The opening mechanism may comprise grippable means. The appendage may constitute the grippable means.

[0009] The opening mechanism may have a first end, the appendage being disposed at the first end. The opening mechanism may have a second end distal from the first end, another appendage being disposed at the second end.

[0010] The appendage may be a tab.

[0011] The appendage may be disposed with respect to the closed cover piece in order to facilitate, when in use, opening of the opening mechanism by an upward tearing movement, a downward tearing movement and/or a lateral tearing movement.

[0012] The another appendage may be another tab.

[0013] The closed cover piece may be frangibly openable by frangible removal of a strip of material from the closed cover piece. The closed cover piece may comprise the strip of material, the strip of material being integrally formed therewith.

[0014] The opening mechanism may comprise frangible means.

[0015] The opening mechanism may comprise a perforation provided in the closed cover piece. The closed cover piece may comprise a first edge portion separated from a second edge portion by a surface area portion, the perforation being arranged to extend at least partly between the first and second edge portions.

[0016] The opening mechanism may comprise another perforation spaced from the perforation so as to delineate the strip of material.

[0017] The closed cover piece may comprise a first edge portion separated from a second edge portion by a surface area portion, the frangible means being arranged to extend at least partly between the first and second edge portions.

[0018] The frangible means may extend along at least 25% of the distance between the first and second edge portions. The frangible means may extend at least 50% of the distance between the first and second edge portions, for example, at least 65%, at least 75%, or at least 85%.

[0019] At least part of the opening mechanism may be decorated so as to attract attention thereto.

[0020] The matter behind the exterior surface of the cover piece may be an information carrier. The information carrier may bear printed matter. The information carrier may bear promotional information.

[0021] The information carrier may be a booklet.

[0022] The closed cover piece may comprise an interior surface located adjacent the exterior surface, the interior surface constituting the information carrier.

[0023] The information carrier may be an area of a surface, the closed cover piece being disposed adjacent the area of the surface so as to conceal the area of the surface.

[0024] The matter may comprise a layer of readable information concealed by an abradable layer.

[0025] The matter may comprise a layer of readable information concealed by a peelable layer of material.

[0026] A section of the closed cover piece may be arranged to be frangibly separable from the closed cover piece.

[0027] The closed cover piece may be arranged to comprise an array of frangibly separable sections.

[0028] The information carrier may be an information carrying strip. The information carrying strip may be segregated into sections by a fold. The information carrying strip may comprise a frangibly separable section.

[0029] The closed cover piece may define a tapered or cylindrical conduit.

[0030] The closed cover piece may be arranged as a sleeve to surround, when in use, at least part of a lateral wall of a drinking vessel.

[0031] The closed cover piece may be arranged to provide thermal insulation.

[0032] The closed cover piece may be arranged to receive snugly a frustum therein.

[0033] The apparatus may further comprise an aperture therein for passage of a drinking straw therethrough.

[0034] The closed cover piece may be arranged to be fitted, when in use, against a surface of a lid for a drinking vessel.

[0035] The apparatus may further comprise a layered structure including the closed cover piece and having the matter disposed within the layered structure.

[0036] The apparatus may further comprise an at least partially closed structure, the structure being openable by manipulation of the opening mechanism, wherein the matter is disposed within the at least partially closed structure. The structure may be substantially closed.

[0037] The opening mechanism may be circumferentially disposed about the cover piece.

[0038] The opening mechanism may be a frangible strip circumferentially disposed about the cover piece.

[0039] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product container comprising the concealment apparatus as set forth above in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

[0040] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drinking vessel comprising the concealment apparatus as set forth above in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

[0041] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lid comprising the concealment apparatus as set forth above in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

[0042] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product package comprising the concealment apparatus as set forth above in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

[0043] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a blank for making a concealment apparatus for a product container, the blank comprising: a medial section having a first end and a second end for, when the blank is assembled into the concealment apparatus, forming a closed cover piece that serves to conceal matter, when in use, behind an exterior surface of the closed cover piece; and an opening mechanism formed in the medial section in order to permit opening of the closed cover piece, when the blank is assembled into the concealment apparatus, in order to facilitate access to the matter.

[0044] For the avoidance of doubt, it should be understood that reference herein to a "product container" is intended to refer to any suitable means for containing a product, be it solid or fluid. Consequently, not only does the expression relate to packaging for products, such as boxes, it also refers to vessels for containing substances, for example beverages, and lids thereto, the lids serving to contain the contents of the vessel.

[0045] It is thus possible to provide a concealment apparatus and blank therefore that facilitates engagement of a promoter with a consumer without additional cost and complexity associated with concealment of matter in relation to known product containers. The concealment apparatus advantageously encourages opening of the concealment apparatus by the consumer.

[0046] At least one embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exterior surface of a blank of a concealment apparatus constituting a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an interior surface of the blank of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the blank of Figures 1 and 2 in an assembled state and in use;

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an interior surface and an outer surface of a blank of a concealment apparatus constituting a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the blank of Figure 4 in an assembled state and in use;

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an exterior surface of a blank of a concealment apparatus constituting a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an interior surface of the blank of Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram in part exploded view of the concealment apparatus of Figures 7 and 8 to illustrate assembly thereof.

[0047] Throughout the following description identical reference numerals will be used to identify like parts.

[0048] Referring to Figure 1 , a blank 100 for a concealment apparatus comprises a cover piece 102 having a first end 104 and a second end 106. A first edge 108 and a second edge 110 of the cover piece 102 are substantially parallel and define an arcuate strip having an inner radius, r,, associated with the first edge 108 and an outer radius, r ₀ , associated with the second edge 110.

[0049] At the first end 104, a first frangible end piece 112 is defined by a first linear perforation 114 extending, at least partly, from the first edge 108 to the second edge 1 10, and bears decoration and/or print to identify readily a tear-off strip, for example, the tear-off strip can be decorated so as to resemble a clothing zipper. At the second end, a second frangible end piece 116 is defined by a second linear perforation 1 18 extending, at least partly, from the first edge 108 to the second edge 110.

[0050] A first side 120 of the blank 100 has a first surface constituting an exterior surface 122. In this example, the exterior surface 122, other than the first frangible end piece 112 described above, is unadorned, though the exterior surface 122 can be decorated if desired.

[0051] The first frangible end piece 112 is arranged to have an appendage 124, for example a tab, provided at a first end 126 of the first frangible end piece 1 12.

[0052] Turning to Figure 2, a second side 200 of the blank 100 has a second surface constituting an interior surface 202. In this example, the interior surface 202 carries matter, for example printed matter, such as a plurality of promotional elements 204. The promotional elements can be advertisements, informational statements or vouchers, such as discount vouchers or any other form of coupon. Although a plurality of such promotional elements are shown in

Figure 2, the skilled person will appreciate that a smaller or greater number of promotional elements 204 can be used. In this example, each promotional element 204 is segregated from each other by a separating perforation 206 allowing detachment of a given promotional element from the remainder of the cover piece 102.

[0053] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, to assemble the blank 100, the first frangible end piece 112 is adhered to the second frangible end piece 116 in an overlapping manner to close the cover piece 102 and to form an opening mechanism in the form of, in this example, a frangibly removable strip of material 300 (the tear-off strip mentioned above). The frangibly removable strip of material 300 is defined by the substantially parallel first and second linear perforations 114, 118. The blank

100 is assembled so as to define a tapered conduit or sleeve having the interior surface 202 facing inwardly of the tapered conduit.

[0054] The assembled blank 100 is the concealment apparatus 302 and can receive, for example snugly, a frustum-like object within the tapered conduit, for example a drinking vessel 304. When in use, the concealment apparatus 302 is in abutment with an outer surface 306 of the drinking vessel 304, thereby preventing easy viewing of the interior surface 202 and, in this example, the area of the outer surface 306 of the drinking vessel 304 that the concealment apparatus 302 overlies..

[0055] To open the concealment apparatus 302, the opening mechanism is manipulated. A user grips the tab 124 with fingers and pulls the frangibly removable strip of material 300 across the arcuate strip that constitutes the blank 100 of the cover piece 102 so as to disconnect the first end 104 of the cover piece 102 from the second end 106 of the cover piece 102. The closed cover piece 102 is thus opened and released from abutment against the outer surface 306 of the drinking vessel 304. Removal of the cover piece 102 permits a consumer to view the interior surface 202 with ease and, if desired, tear-off one or more of the promotional elements 204 for future use.

[0056] Of course, the opening mechanism can be supplemented by providing another appendage, for example another tab, at a second end 128 opposite to the first end 126.

Alternatively, the another appendage can be provided at the second end 128 instead of providing the appendage 124 at the first end 126 so that the concealment apparatus is openable by an upward movement, thereby mitigating the possibility of pulling the concealment apparatus, downwards relative to, for example, the drinking vessel 304 and hence separating the concealment apparatus from the drinking vessel.

[0057] In another embodiment (Figure 4), the blank 100 is of a multiple-layer structure comprising a base layer 400 and an outer layer 402 disposed over the base layer 400 and adhered thereto at the periphery thereof. The base layer 400 has an interior surface 404 upon which printed matter can be disposed, if desired. In this example, the interior surface 404 of the base layer is left unadorned. Use of a multi-layer structure enables thinner layers of material to be used as opposed to a single thicker layer of material.

[0058] The upper layer 402 comprises an arcuate strip 406, which becomes substantially circumferential when the blank 100 is assembled, and constitutes a part of an opening mechanism, the arcuate strip 406 being delineated by at least a pair of substantially parallel arcuate perforations 408, 410 formed in the upper layer 402. A terminating perforation 411 is provided at the end of the arcuate strip 406. An appendage 124 is formed at a first end 104 of the arcuate strip 406 as a

gripping means. In this example, the arcuate strip 406 bears a plurality of promotional elements 204. Each of the promotional elements 204 is segregated from one another by a separating perforation 206 allowing detachment of a given promotional element from the remainder of the circumferential strip 406. Although shown on an exterior surface 122 of the upper layer 402 for explanatory purposes, the matter constituting the promotional elements 204 is disposed on an interior surface 412 of the upper layer 402 so as to be concealed.

[0059] Referring to Figure 5, the blank 100 is assembled by deforming the blank 100 so that a first end 104 of the blank 100 is brought into contact with a second end 106 of the blank 100 in an overlapping relation along a first end piece 112. This form is maintained by adhesive so that the assembled blank 100 in the form of the cover piece 102 defines a tapered conduit. The cover piece 102 can then be placed around a product container, for example a drinking vessel 304.

[0060] To open the concealment apparatus, the opening mechanism is manipulated. A consumer grips the tab 124 with fingers and pulls the frangible arcuate strip 406 around the drinking vessel 304 until the terminating perforation 411 is reached whereupon the terminating perforation 411 is broken in order to detach the circumferential strip 406 from the rest of the cover piece 102. Of course, the terminating perforation 411 can be replaced by continuing the pair of substantially parallel perforations 408, 410 along the full length of the blank 100.

[0061] In the above embodiments, if desired, the blank 100 can be arranged to provide a degree of thermal insulation, for example by providing a layer of corrugated paper-based material adjacent the cover piece102.

[0062] In a third embodiment (Figure 6), a blank 100 is also of a multi-layer structure having a medial section defining a base layer 400 and, but distinct from, a cover piece 102 constituting an outer layer 402. In this example, the base layer 400 comprises a central portion 600 having a first wing portion 602 and a second wing portion 604. The base layer 400 is coupled to the cover piece 102 by a hinge in the form of a first fold line 606.

[0063] The central portion 600 and the cover piece 102 have a substantially circular footprint, each of the first and second wing portions 602, 604 carrying matter (Figure 7), for example a plurality of promotional elements 204 on an interior surface of the base layer 400. Each of the promotional elements 204 is segregated from one another and/or the central portion 600 by a separating perforation 206, which additionally serves as a second fold line 608, a third fold line 610, a fourth fold line 612 and a fifth fold line 614.

[0064] The cover piece 102 comprises a first circumferential end region 616 (Figure 6) substantially diametrically opposite a second circumferential end region 618. In this example, the first circumferential end region 616 coincides with the first fold line 606. A tear-off strip 620 spans the cover piece 102 at least partly between the first and second circumferential end regions 616, 618. The tear-off strip 620 serves as an opening mechanism and is defined by a first linear perforation 114 lying substantially parallel with a second linear perforation 1 18. The tear-off strip 620 also comprises an appendage 124, for example a tab at, in this example, the second end region 618.

[0065] Referring to Figure 8, the blank 100 is assembled by folding the first and second wing portions 602, 604 inwardly towards the central portion 600, firstly at the second and fifth fold lines 608, 614 and then at the third and fourth fold lines 610, 612 so that the first and second wing portions 602, 604 reside within the periphery of the central portion 600. Adhesive is provided at the periphery of the central portion 600 and/or the cover piece 102, optionally excluding the periphery at the third and fourth fold lines 610, 612. The cover piece 102 is then folded over the central portion 600 at the first fold line 606 so as to adhere the cover piece 102 to the central portion 600 and conceal the matter in the form of the promotional elements 204. As will be appreciated by the skilled person, application of adhesive about the periphery of the central portion 600 and/or the cover piece 102 need only be in sufficient quantity to hold the cover piece 102 and the central portion 600 so as to ensure proper operation of the tear-off strip 620. Care should be taken to ensure that excessive quantities of adhesive are not applied, thereby hindering or rendering inoperable the mechanism provided by the concealment apparatus.

[0066] In this example, the assembled blank 100 is then inserted into a recessed region 800 of a lid 802 for a drinking vessel 804 where the concealment apparatus can be held adjacent the lid

802 by a circumferential radial recess that receives a peripheral edge of the concealment apparatus therein, or by a quantity of adhesive applied to an underside of the concealment apparatus and/or on the lid 802. The cover piece 102 and the base layer 400 therefore both overlie the lid 802. The blank 100 can comprise a plurality of apertures that are in registry when the blank 100 is assembled to permit passage of a drinking straw therethrough.

[0067] To open the concealment apparatus, the opening mechanism is manipulated. A user grips the appendage 124 with fingers and tears the tear-off strip 620 (Figures 6 and 7) in order to open the concealment apparatus and allow access to the first and second wing portions 602, 604. The user then unfolds the first and second wing portions 602, 604 in order to view the promotional elements 204.

[0068] In all of the above embodiments, the piece parts are formed from paper or paper-like products, the gauge of which can be selected by the skilled person to be most compatible with the intended application of the concealment apparatus. However, the skilled person will appreciate that other material can be employed where desired.

[0069] In the above embodiments, tear-off strips constituting part of the opening mechanism can span from one side to another of the cover piece 102, or at least partly between the two sides thereof, for example at least 50% of the distance therebetween, such as at least 65%, at least 75%, or at least 85% of the distance therebetween. In this respect, the tear-off strips need only span a sufficient distance to enable opening of the assembled blank 100 to reveal or provide access to, for example, the promotional matter.

[0070] It should be appreciated that the "matter" described above as concealed by the cover piece 102 can be any suitable carrier of information, for example a surface, such as a reverse-side of the cover piece 102 or the external surface 306 of the drinking vessel. Alternatively, the information carrier can be a booklet. Herein, the information carrier bears information, for example printed matter. The matter concealed by the cover piece 102 can be a layer of readable information concealed by a layer of abradable material so as to form a so-called scratch-card, or the layer of readable information can be overlaid with a layer of material that can be peelably removed.

[0071] The above embodiments can be employed in relation to other product containers of other shapes, for example cans, such as aluminium or "tin" cans, fluid containers, cartons or other product packaging, such as boxes.

[0072] The opening mechanism can be arranged to provide a resistance insufficient to induce sudden movement to an object abutting, when in use, the closed cover piece, for example a drinking vessel. For example, to avoid spillage of a hot beverage.