Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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MULTI-PANEL DISPLAY DEVICE, BLANK, AND METHOD OF
FORMING THE DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a multi-panel display
device, blank, and
method of forming the device, and specifically to a multi-panel display device
formed
from a blank having an integral header panel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Multi-panel displays are used to display and present a variety of
information, such
as business information, advertising information and educational information.
Furthermore, multi-panel displays are commonly used by students to present
information
at science fairs and other presentation forums. Recently, header panels have
been
developed for attaching to the multi-panel displays. These header panels are
separate
from the multi-panel displays and can be displayed alongside the multi-panel
displays or
attached to the multi-panel displays. The header panels typically serve as a
location on
which a user may place a presentation title. However, presenters often forget
to use the
header panels. Thus, a need exists for a multi-panel display having an
integrated header
panel. Additionally, typical multi-panel displays are undesirable from a
merchandizing
and storage perspective because the side panels want to bias into an open
position.
Furthermore, multi-panel displays have numerous abrupt corners that are often
damaged
during storage. Thus, a need exists for a multi-panel display that enhances
the ability of
the multi-panel display to remain in a closed and undamaged position until use
is
desirable.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention solves these and other needs by providing a multi-
panel
display, a blank from which the multi-panel display is formed, and a method of
forming
the multi-panel display. The blank comprises a center panel, a first side
panel attached to
the center panel and a second side panel attached to the center panel. A third
panel is
detachably coupled to the second side panel. The third panel comprises a
header panel
and an adhesive panel.
[0004] In one aspect, the invention can be a blank for a multi-panel fold-out
display
device comprising: a center panel; a first side panel attached to the center
panel along a
first pre-weakened line; a second side panel attached to the center panel
along a second
pre-weakened line; and a third panel comprising a header panel and an adhesive
panel,
the third panel detachably coupled to the second side panel along a third pre-
weakened
line.
[0005] In another aspect, the invention can be a multi-panel display device
comprising: a
sheet of material comprising a center panel, a first side panel attached to
the center panel
along a first pre-weakened line, a second side panel attached to the center
panel along a
second pre-weakened line, and a third panel comprising a header panel and an
adhesive
panel, the third panel detachably coupled to the second side panel along a
third pre-
weakened line, and the header panel detachably coupled to the adhesive panel
along a
fourth pre-weakened line; the sheet of material alterable between: (1) a
folded state in
which: (A) the first side panel is folded over the center panel about the
first pre-weakened
line; and (B) the second side panel is folded over the center panel about the
second pre-
weakened line so that the third panel overlies a rear surface of the first
side panel and an
adhesive surface of the adhesive panel adheres the third panel to the first
side panel to
maintain the sheet of material in the folded state; and (2) an unfolded state
in which: (A)
the third panel is broken away from the second side panel along the third pre-
weakened
line; and (B) the header panel is broken away from the adhesive panel along
the fourth
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pre-weakened line, the adhesive panel remaining adhered to the rear surface of
the first
side panel.
[0006] In a further aspect, the invention can be a method of forming a multi-
panel
display device comprising providing a sheet of material comprising a center
panel, a first
side panel attached to the center panel along a first pre-weakened line, a
second side
panel attached to the center panel along a second pre-weakened line, and a
third panel
comprising a header panel and an adhesive panel, the third panel detachably
coupled to
the second side panel along a third pre-weakened line, and the header panel
detachably
coupled to the adhesive panel along a fourth pre-weakened line, the first side
panel folded
over the center panel about the first pre-weakened line and the second side
panel folded
over the center panel about the second pre-weakened line so that the third
panel overlies a
rear surface of the first side panel and an adhesive surface of the adhesive
panel adheres
the third panel to the first side panel; tearing along the third pre-weakened
area to break
the third panel away from the second side panel; tearing along the fourth pre-
weakened
area to break the header panel away from the adhesive panel thereby separating
the
header panel from the sheet of material, the adhesive panel remaining adhered
to the rear
surface of the first side panel; and positioning the header panel atop the
first and second
side panels so as to extend upward from top edges of the first and second side
panels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The present invention will become more fully understood from the
detailed
description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0008] Figure 1 is a front view of a blank for a multi-panel display according
to a first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] Figure 2 is a front perspective view a multi-panel display in a folded
state,
wherein the multi-panel display is formed from the blank of FIG. 1;
[0010] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line of FIG. 2.
[0011] Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the multi-panel display formed
from the
blank of FIG. 1, wherein the multi-panel display is in a partially assembled
state; and
[00121 Figure 5 is a front perspective view of the multi-panel display formed
from the
blank of FIG. 1, wherein the multi-panel display is in a fully assembled
state.
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[0013] Figure 6 is a front view of a blank for a multi-panel display according
to a second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] Figure 7 is a front perspective view a multi-panel display in a folded
state,
wherein the multi-panel display is formed from the blank of FIG. 6;
[0015] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG.
7.
[0016] Figure 9 is a front perspective view of the multi-panel display formed
from the
blank of FIG. 6, wherein the multi-panel display is in a partially assembled
state; and
[0017] Figure 10 is a front perspective view of the multi-panel display formed
from the
blank of FIG. 6, wherein the multi-panel display is in a fully assembled
state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely
exemplary in
nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or
uses.
[0019] The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of
the present
invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings,
which
are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the
description of
embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or
orientation
is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any
way to limit
the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as "lower," "upper,"
"horizontal,"
"vertical," "above," "below," "up," "down," "top" and "bottom" as well as
derivatives
thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be
construed to
refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under
discussion.
These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not
require that the
apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless
explicitly indicated
as such. Terms such as "attached," "affixed," "connected," "coupled,"
"interconnected,"
and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached
to one
another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well
as both
movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described
otherwise.
Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by
reference to the
exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be
limited to
such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination
of
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features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope
of the
invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.
[0020] Referring first to FIG. 1, a blank 100 for a multi-panel display is
illustrated in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The blank 100
generally
comprises a center panel 110, a first side panel 120, a second side panel 130
and a third
panel 160. The third panel 160 comprises an adhesive panel 140 and a header
panel 150.
In certain embodiments the blank 100 is formed as a single, integral structure
by a die cut
technique. Thus, by a single die cut, the entire blank 100 comprising each of
the center
panel 110, the first side panel 120, the second side panel 130 and the third
panel 160 can
be integrally formed as a single sheet of material. Of course, the invention
is not to be so
limited in all embodiments and in other embodiments techniques other than the
die cut
technique can be used to create the blank 100 as a single integral structure
or as a single
sheet of material.
[0021] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a front surface 118 of the center panel 110,
a front surface
128 of the first side panel 120, a front surface 138 of the second side panel
130, a front
surface 148 of the adhesive panel 140 and a front surface 158 of the header
panel 150 are
exposed to view. In the exemplified embodiment, each of the front surfaces
118, 128,
138, 148, 158 are white (or any other color) and they form the display surface
of the
multi-panel display formed from the blank 100 as discussed below. In the
exemplified
embodiment, the rear surfaces of the panels 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 (not
illustrated in
FIG. 1) are not intended to be the display surface and can therefore be any
color. For
example, in certain embodiments the rear surfaces of the panels 110, 120, 130,
140, 150
are formed of a brown craft paper and the front surfaces 118, 128, 138, 148,
158 of the
panels 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 are formed of a white flat linerboard. However,
the
invention is not to be specifically limited by the colors of the front and
rear surfaces of
the panels 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 in all embodiments.
[0022] In certain embodiments, the blank 100 is formed from a corrugated
fiberboard
material. For example, the blank 100 may be a double-walled construction
including a
fluted corrugated sheet and one or two flat linerboards forming the front and
rear
surfaces. The sizes of the corrugated fiberboard can be a BC-flute, a C-flute,
a D-flute,
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an E-flute or the like. However, the invention is not to be so limited and the
blank 100
can be formed from foam, cardboard, heavy-duty paper, binder's board, card
stock,
display board, paperboard, or the like in other embodiments. The blank 100 is
intended
to be used as a multi-panel display board, such as a tri-fold display board,
for presenting
information or school/work projects. Specifically, as discussed in more detail
below the
blank 100 can be altered into a multi-panel display board and the front
surface thereof
can be used as a display surface such that a user can write, draw, paint or
otherwise create
material onto the display surface such as by gluing magazine cutouts thereon
or the like.
Multi-panel display boards of this type are known to be used in science fairs,
for school
projects, or other occasions when it is desired to present information to a
viewing public.
[0023] Each of the first side panel 120, the center panel 110 and the second
side panel
130 has four distinct corners. Furthermore, the adhesive panel 140 has two
corners and
the header panel 150 has two corners. Each of the corners of the first side
panel 120, the
center panel 110, the second side panel 130, the adhesive panel 140 and the
header panel
150 are rounded. Rounding the corners of the panels reduces the likelihood
that the
corners will become bent or otherwise damaged during storage and/or use of the
blank
100 as a multi-panel display. Thus, rounding the corners of each of the panels
improves
the shelf life of the blank 100 while also adding a superior design aesthetic.
[0024] The center panel 110 is positioned between the first side panel 120 and
the second
side panel 130. Specifically, the center panel 110 has a first edge 112 and a
second edge
113, the first side panel 120 has a first free edge 122 and a second edge 123,
the second
side panel 130 has a first edge 132 and a second edge 133, and the third panel
160 has a
first edge 162 and a second free edge 163. In the exemplified embodiment, the
first edge
162 of the third panel 160 forms the first edge of the adhesive panel 140, the
adhesive
panel 140 also having a second edge 143. Furthermore, in the exemplified
embodiment
the second free edge 163 of the third panel 160 forms a second edge of the
header panel
150, the header panel 150 also having a first edge 152.
[0025] The first edge 112 of the center panel 110 is attached to the second
edge 123 of
the first side panel 120 along a first pre-weakened line 121. Similarly, the
second edge
113 of the center panel 110 is attached to the first edge 132 of the second
side panel 130
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along a second pre-weakened line 131. Furthermore, the first edge 162 of the
third panel
160 is detachably coupled to the second edge 133 of the second side panel 130
along a
third pre-weakened line 141. The second edge 143 of the adhesive panel 140 is
detachably coupled to the first edge 152 of the header panel 150 along a
fourth pre-
weakened line 151. Although the third panel 160 is described herein as being
detachably
coupled to the second side panel 130 and the header panel 150 is described as
being
detachably coupled to the adhesive panel 140, each of these panels is formed
together on
a single sheet during formation of the blank 100. The panels are detached from
one
another, as will be described in more detail below, when the blank 100 is used
to form a
multi-panel display device. In the exemplified embodiment, the first, second,
third and
fourth pre-weakened lines 121, 131, 141, 151 are substantially parallel to one
another.
[0026] Each of the first and second pre-weakened lines 121, 131 can be a fold
line, such
as a depression or indentation formed into the front surface of the blank 100
that
facilitates folding of the blank 100 about the first and second pre-weakened
lines 121,
131. Specifically, the first pre-weakened line 121 facilitates rotating the
first side panel
120 relative to the center panel 110 and the second pre-weakened line 131
facilitates
rotating the second side panel 130 relative to the center panel 110. Thus,
each of the first
and second pre-weakened lines 121, 131 can be formed by a pre-folded line or a
crease
line formed into the blank 100. The techniques for forming the first and
second pre-
weakened lines 121, 131 are not limiting of the present invention in all
embodiments but
rather include any pre-formed line in the blank 100 that facilitates folding
the blank 100
about the line.
[0027] In the embodiment exemplified in Figure 1, the second side panel 130 is
connected to the adhesive panel 140 and the adhesive panel 140 is connected to
the
header panel 150. Thus, the adhesive panel 140 is positioned in between the
second side
panel 130 and the header panel 150. The second side panel 130 is connected to
the
adhesive panel 140 by the third pre-weakened line 141 and the adhesive panel
140 is
connected to the header panel 150 by the fourth pre-weakened line 151.
[0028] The fourth pre-weakened line 151 is a line formed into the blank 100
that
facilitates separating the header panel 150 from the adhesive panel 140 and
the third pre-
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weakened line 141 is a line formed into the blank 100 that facilitates
separating the
adhesive panel 140 from the second side panel 130. Thus, the third and fourth
pre-
weakened lines 141, 151 may be referred to herein as perforation lines or
score lines that
facilitate tearing of the blank 100 along those lines for separation of the
two panels on
opposing sides of the line. In certain embodiments, the third and fourth pre-
weakened
lines 141, 151 can be formed by a plurality of small holes that are formed
through the
blank 100 in a line to facilitate tearing the blank 100 at the location of the
third and fourth
pre-weakened lines 141, 151. Thus, in certain embodiments the third and fourth
pre-
weakened lines 141, 151 can be considered perforation lines. Of course, the
invention is
not to be so limited and the third and fourth pre-weakened lines 141, 151 can
be formed
by other techniques such as, for example without limitation, a deep depression
in the
blank 100. The third and fourth pre-weakened lines 141, 151 are configured so
that the
third panel 160 can be easily broken away or separated from the second side
panel 120
and so that the header panel 150 can be easily broken away or separated from
the
adhesive panel 140.
[0029] It should be appreciated that in certain embodiments the first and
second pre-
weakened lines 121, 131 are different than the third and fourth pre-weakened
lines 141,
151 in that the panels on opposing sides of the first and second pre-weakened
lines 121,
131 are not easily separated or broken away from each other without using a
cutting tool
such as scissors, a blade, a knife or the like whereas the panels on opposing
sides of the
third and fourth pre-weakened lines are easily separated or broken away from
each other
without the use of a cutting tool. Specifically, the first and second pre-
weakened lines
121, 131 are different than the third and fourth pre-weakened lines 141, 151
because if
the sheet of material is torn at the first or second pre-weakened lines 121,
131 without
using a cutting tool, the tear will be uneven and rugged, whereas tearing at
the third or
fourth pre-weakened lines 141, 151 creates a smooth, even tear of the sheet of
material
along that line even without the use of a cutting tool.
[0030] In certain embodiments whereby the blank 100 is formed from a
corrugated
fiberboard, the blank 100 has a thickness of between A inch and /6 inch, and
more
preferably approximately X inch. Of course, the invention is not to be so
limited and the
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thickness of the blank 100 may be outside of that range depending on the type
of material
used to create the blank 100. Furthermore, the blank 100 has a height H
extending from a
bottom edge 101 of the blank 100 to a top edge 102 of the blank 100 that is
between 30-
40 inches, and more preferably approximately 351/2 inches. Each of the panels
has the
same height, and thus the height H applies to the blank 100 as a whole or to
each panel
individually. Of course, heights outside of the above-recited range can be
used in certain
other embodiments where it is desirable to have a larger or smaller multi-
panel display.
Thus, the height of the blank 100 is not to be limiting of the present
invention unless
specifically claimed.
[0031] The first side panel 120 has a width W1 extending from the first free
edge 122 of
the first side panel 120 to the second edge 123 of the first side panel 120.
In the
exemplified embodiment, the width W1 of the first side panel 120 is between 9-
12 inches,
more preferably between 101/2-11 inches, and still more preferably
approximately 107X
inches. The center panel 110 has a width Wc extending from the first edge 112
of the
center panel 110 to the second edge 113 of the center panel 110. In the
exemplified
embodiment, the width Wc of the center panel 110 is between 18-24 inches, and
more
preferably approximately 22 inches. The second side panel 130 has a width W2
extending from the first edge 132 of the second side panel 130 to the second
edge 133 of
the second side panel 130. In the exemplified embodiment, the width W2 of the
second
side panel 130 is between 9-12 inches, more preferably between 101/2-11
inches, and still
more preferably approximately 107/8 inches. In the exemplified embodiment, the
width
W1 of the first side panel 120 is substantially equal to the width W2 of the
second side
panel 130. However, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments
and the
width W1 of the first side panel 120 may be different than the width W2 of the
second
side panel 130 in certain other embodiments.
[0032] The adhesive panel 140 has a width WA extending from the first edge 162
of the
third panel 160 to the second edge 143 of the adhesive panel 140. The width WA
of the
adhesive panel 140 is between 1-2 inches, and more preferably approximately
13/4 inches.
The header panel 150 has a width WH extending from the first edge 152 of the
header
panel 150 to the second free edge 163 of the third panel 160. The width WH of
the header
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,
panel 150 is between 6-10 inches, more preferably between 7-9 inches, and
still more
preferably approximately 8 inches.
[0033] Thus, in the exemplified embodiment, the width Wc and height H of the
center
panel 110 is approximately 22x351/2 inches, respectively.
However, in other
embodiments the width Wc and height H of the center panel 110 can be
approximately
22x28 inches, 11 x14 inches, or any other desired dimensions. Furthermore, the
widths
Wl, W2, WH, WA of the first panel 120, the second panel 130, the header panel
150 and
the adhesive panel 140 are modified accordingly. Specifically, if the
dimensions of the
center panel 110 are 11 x 15 inches, then the widths of the first and second
panels 120,
130 will be approximately 51/2 inches each, and the combined width of the
adhesive panel
140 and the header panel 150 (i.e., the width of the third panel 160) will
also be
approximately 51/2 inches, although the width of the third panel 160 can be
smaller if
desired. The invention is not to be particularly limited by the dimensions,
widths, lengths
and heights of the various panels unless specified in the claims.
[0034] In the exemplified embodiment, the height H is greater than the width
Wc of the
center panel 110. Furthermore, in the exemplified embodiment the width W2 of
the
second side panel 120 is greater than or equal to the width We of the center
panel 110
minus the width W1 of the first side panel 120 (i.e., W2 > WC-W1). As will be
better
understood from the description below, this ensures that the adhesive panel
140 does not
contact any portion of the front surface 118 of the center panel 110 when the
blank 100 is
used to form a multi-panel display in a folded state, and instead the adhesive
panel 140
adheres to the rear surface of the first side panel 120 when in the folded
state.
[0035] Furthermore, similar to the discussion of the height H of the blank 100
above, it
should be understood that the widths of the various panels can also be outside
of the
ranges described herein. The ranges described herein are intended as a
description of one
preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, it is desirable that
as the
widths of the various panels change, the ratios between the widths of the
various panels
remains consistent. For example, in the exemplified embodiment the ratio
between the
width Wc of the center panel 110 and the width W1 of the first side panel 120
is
approximately 2:1. In certain embodiments, this ratio is maintained regardless
of the
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particular widths used. In certain embodiments, the width WA of the adhesive
panel 140
and the width WH of the header panel 150 can be larger or smaller than that
described
herein and the ratios of the widths WA of the adhesive panel 140 and the width
WH of the
header panel 150 relative to the first side panel 120, the center panel 110
and the second
side panel 130 can also change. Thus, in certain embodiments it is only
desirable that the
ratio of the widths of the first side panel 120, the second side panel 130 and
the center
panel 110 remain consistent with that which is disclosed herein and that the
equation W2
WC-W1 remains satisfied.
100361 The header panel 150 comprises a first slot 155 and a second slot 156.
In the
exemplified embodiment, each of the first and second slots 155, 156 have the
same width
and length. Specifically, the first and second slots 155, 156 have a width Ws
that is
approximately equal to the thickness of the blank 100, if not slightly larger,
so as to
facilitate detachably coupling the header panel 150 to the multi-panel display
formed
from the blank 100 as will be described in more detail below. Thus, in certain
embodiments the width Ws of the first and second slots 155, 156 is between /6
inch and
/6 inch, and more preferably approximately X inch.
[0037] The first slot 155 has a length Ls measured from the first edge 152 of
the header
panel 150 to a terminal end 157 of the first slot 155 and the second slot 156
has a length
Ls measured from the first edge 152 of the header panel 150 to a terminal end
158 of the
second slot 156. The length Ls of the slots 155, 156 is less than the width WH
of the
header panel 150. In the exemplified embodiment, the length Ls of the slots
155, 156 is
between 25% and 30% of the width WH of the header panel 150. Thus, the length
Ls of
the slots 155, 156 is between approximately 1.5-3.0 inches, and more
preferably between
2.0-2.4 inches. Furthermore, the first and second slots 155, 156 are spaced
from one
another along the length of the header panel 150 by a distance D. The distance
D
between the first and second slots 155, 156 is preferably between 22 and 28
inches, and
more preferably approximately 25 inches. The distance D facilitates utilizing
the header
to display the multi-panel display in a desirable orientation with the left
and second side
panels 120, 130 at an optimal angle relative to the center panel 110. In
certain
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embodiments, the distance D between the first and second slots 155, 156 is
greater than
the width Wc of the center panel 110.
[0038] The front surface 148 of the adhesive panel 140 is at least partially
coated with an
adhesive material 145 to facilitate maintaining the blank 100 in a closed
state when such
is desired, such as during storage or sale of the blank 100. The adhesive
material 145 can
be any type of glue or other material in a liquid, semi-liquid or even solid
state that
adheres or bonds items together. Furthermore, the adhesive material 145 may be
a
double-sided tape, stickers, glue tabs or any other type of tacky substance
that is adhered
to the adhesive panel 140. In the exemplified embodiment, the adhesive
material 145
coats or otherwise covers the entire front surface of the adhesive panel 140.
However,
the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and in certain other
embodiments
the adhesive material 145 may be sparsely positioned on the adhesive panel
140, such as
by putting the adhesive material on the top and bottom of the adhesive panel
140 or
around the periphery of the adhesive panel 140. Thus, the adhesive material
145 may
either cover the entirety of the front surface 148 of the adhesive panel 140
or portions
thereof
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 concurrently, the blank 100 is
illustrated as a
multi-panel display device 200 in a folded state. As will be better understood
from the
discussion below, the multi-panel display device 200 is alterable between the
folded state
as illustrated in FIGS 2 and 3 and an unfolded state as illustrated in FIGS. 4
and 5.
Altering of the multi-panel display device 200 between the folded and unfolded
states
will be discussed below.
[0040] To convert the blank 100 into the multi-panel display 200 in the folded
state
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, first the first side panel 120 is folded over
the center panel
110 about the first pre-weakened line 121. Upon folding the first side panel
120 over the
center panel 110 about the first pre-weakened line 121, the front surface 128
of the first
side panel 120 lies adjacent to and faces the front surface 118 of the center
panel 110. In
certain embodiments, the front surface 128 of the first side panel 120 may be
in surface
contact with the front surface 118 of the center panel 110. Next, the second
side panel
130 is folded over the center panel 110 about the second pre-weakened line
131. Upon
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folding the second side panel 130 over the center panel 110 about the second
pre-
weakened line 131, the front surface 138 of the second side panel 130 lies
adjacent the
front surface 118 of the center panel 110. In certain embodiments, the first
side panel
120 may extend across the center panel 110 so as to be positioned in between
at least a
portion of the second side panel 130 and the center panel 110 when the second
side panel
130 is folded about the second pre-weakened line 131 as discussed above.
However, for
purposes of the present invention the second side panel 130 is still
considered to be
overlying the center panel 110 or folded over the center panel 110.
[0041] In the exemplified embodiment, the widths W1, W2 of each of the first
and second
side panels 120, 130 is equal to approximately one-half of the width Wc of the
center
panel 110. Thus, upon folding the second side panel 130 over the center panel
110 about
the second pre-weakened line 131, the third panel 160 overlies a rear surface
129 of the
first side panel 120 so that the adhesive front surface 148 of the adhesive
panel 140
adheres the third panel 160 to the rear surface 129 of the first side panel
120.
Specifically, the adhesive panel 140 overlaps onto the rear surface 129 of the
first side
panel 120 so that the front surface 148 of the adhesive panel 140 is in
surface contact
with the rear surface 129 of the first side panel 120. Due to the adhesive
material 145 on
the front surface 148 of the adhesive panel 140, the adhesive panel 140 sticks
or
otherwise adheres to the first side panel 120 and facilitates maintaining the
multi-panel
display 200 in the folded state.
[0042] In certain embodiments it is desirable that the adhesive material 145
on the front
surface 148 of the adhesive panel 140 is sufficiently strong or adhesive so
that the
adhesive panel 140 cannot be separated from the rear surface 129 of the first
side panel
120 without tearing the rear surface 129 of the first side panel 120.
Furthermore, in other
embodiments it is desirable that the adhesive material on the front surface
148 of the
adhesive panel 140 is sufficiently strong or adhesive so that upon a user
pulling on the
header panel 150, the header panel 150 will separate from the adhesive panel
140 by
tearing along the fourth pre-weakened line 151 and the adhesive panel 140 will
remain
adhered to the rear surface 129 of the first side panel 120.
13
CA 02807817 2015-10-28
. .
[0043] In the folded state, the rear surface 129 of the first side panel 120,
a rear surface
159 of the header panel, a rear surface 149 of the adhesive panel 140 and a
rear surface
139 of the second side panel 130 are exposed. Thus, in the closed state none
of the front
surfaces 118, 128, 138, 148, 158 of the center panel 110, the first side panel
120, the
second side panel 130, the adhesive panel 140 or the header panel 150 are
exposed. As a
result, the front surfaces of the panels (i.e., the display surfaces) are
protected against
damage when the multi-panel display device 200 is in the folded state. Thus,
maintaining
the multi-panel display device 200 in the folded state utilizing the adhesive
panel 140
while on the shelves of a store protects the usable surfaces of the multi-
panel display
device 200 until their use is desired by a consumer.
[0044] When the multi-panel display 200 is in the folded state, the multi-
panel display
200 has a combined maximum thickness TD that equals the thickness of the
center panel
110, the third panel 160 and the first side panel 120. Thus, the thickness TD
of the multi-
panel display 200 in the folded state is between approximately X6 inch and/6
inch, and
more specifically approximately X inch.
[0045] When in the folded state, the first side panel 120 is oriented at an
angle el relative
to the front surface 118 of the center panel 110 and the second side panel 120
is oriented
at an angle 02 relative to the front surface 118 of the center panel 110. In
the folded
state, each of the angles 01 and 02 are approximately between 0 and 5 .
[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 2-4 concurrently, altering or converting the
multi-panel
display 200 from the folded state to an unfolded state will be described. As
discussed
above, in certain embodiments it is preferable that the adhesive material 145
is of a
sufficient tackiness or adhesiveness such that upon pulling on the second side
panel 130
to alter the multi-panel display device into the unfolded state, the adhesive
panel 140
remains attached to the rear surface 129 of the first side panel 120 and the
header panel
150 separates from the adhesive panel 130 by tearing at the fourth pre-
weakened line
151.
[0047] Specifically, upon a user pulling on the second side panel 130 in a
direction away
from the center panel 110, the sheet of material tears at the third pre-
weakened line 141
thereby separating or breaking away the adhesive panel 140 from the second
side panel
14
CA 02807817 2015-10-28
130. As a result, the second side panel 130 will rotate to an open position
about the
second pre-weakened line 131 while the adhesive panel 140 remains adhesively
attached
to the rear surface 129 of the first side panel 120. Next, the user can tear
the header panel
150 from the adhesive panel 140 along the fourth pre-weakened line 151 to
completely
detach or break away the header panel 150 from the sheet of material. This
configuration
is illustrated in FIG. 4 where the adhesive panel 140 remains attached to the
rear surface
129 of the first side panel 120 and the header panel 150 is separated from the
multi-panel
display 200. In this embodiment, the adhesive panel 140 is located adjacent to
the first
free edge 122 of the first side panel 120. Thus, upon tearing the sheet of
material at each
of the third and fourth pre-weakened lines 141, 151, the adhesive panel 140
remains
attached to the rear surface 129 of the first side panel 120 and the header
panel 150
becomes separated from the sheet of material.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, attachment of the header panel 150 to the
multi-panel
display 200 to create a fully assembled multi-panel display will be described.
After the
header panel 150 is separated from the remainder of the sheet of material, the
first and
second side panels 120, 130 are made to extend outwardly from the center panel
110 in a
manner oblique to a front surface 118 of the center panel 110. More
specifically, the first
and second side panels 120, 130 extend from the center panel at an obtuse
angle. In the
exemplified embodiment, in the unfolded state the first side panel 120 is
oriented at an
angle 03 relative to the front surface 118 of the center panel 110 and the
second side
panels 130 is oriented at an angle 04 relative to the front surface 118 of the
center panel.
Each of the angles 03, 04 is between approximately 90 and 180 relative to
the front
surface 118 of the center panel 110. This puts the multi-panel display 200
into an
orientation such that the front surfaces 118, 128, 138 of each of the center
panel 110, the
first side panel 120 and the second side panel 130 are simultaneously
viewable.
Furthermore, the adhesive panel 140 remains attached to the rear surface 129
of the first
side panel 120 so that it is out of sight when viewed from the front surfaces
such as
during a presentation.
[0049] After rotating the first and second panels 120, 130 about the first and
second pre-
weakened lines 121, 131 to position the multi-panel display 200 into the
unfolded state,
CA 02807817 2015-10-28
the header panel 150 is mounted to the multi-panel display 200. Specifically,
the header
panel 150 is mounted to the first and second side panels 120, 130 so as to
extend upward
from top edges of the first and second side panels 120, 130. More
specifically, the first
side panel 120 has a top edge 124 and the second side panel 130 has a top edge
134.
When the header panel 150 is mounted to the first and second side panels 120,
130, the
first slot 155 slidably receives the top edge 124 of the first side panel 120
and the second
slot 156 slidably receives the top edge 134 of the second side panel 130. In
certain
embodiments, the header panel 150 is slid onto the first and second side
panels 120, 130
until the terminal end 157 of the first slot 155 is in contact with the top
edge 124 of the
first side panel 120 and the terminal end 158 of the second slot 156 is in
contact with the
top edge 134 of the second side panel 130.
[00501 The distance D between the first slot 155 and the second slot 156 is
configured to
ensure that the first and second side panels 120, 130 are oriented at an ideal
presentation
or display angle relative to the center panel 110 when the header panel 150 is
mounted to
the first and second side panels 120, 130. In certain embodiments, this angle
may be
between 15-75 , more preferably between 30-60 , and still more preferably
between 40-
500
.
[0051] Upon mounting the header panel 150 to the first and second side panels
120, 130,
the header panel 150 is non-fixedly connected to the first and second side
panels 120, 130
such that the header panel 150 can be repetitively separated from and
reattached to the
first and second side panels 120, 130 as desired. Thus, by using the blank 100
of the
present invention the use of a header panel is simplified in that it is
integrally formed
with and attached to the other panels of the multi-panel display so that
purchasing and
carrying around a separate header panel is not necessary until after the first
use.
Furthermore, by utilizing the adhesive panel 140, the multi-panel display of
the present
invention remains in the closed state until it is desired to open it for use.
10052] Figures 6-10 illustrate a second embodiment of a blank 100A and a multi-
panel
display board 200A in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention.
The blank 100A and the multi-panel display board 200A are similar to the blank
100 and
the multi-panel display board 200 discussed above with reference to Figures 1-
5 with the
16
CA 02807817 2015-10-28
exception that the location of the adhesive panel 140A and the header panel
150A have
been swapped. Thus, the discussion with regard to Figures 1-5 above is equally
applicable to Figures 6-10 and a discussion of similar features will not be
repeated below
in the interest of brevity. Features from Figures 6-10 that are similar to
features from
Figures 1-5 will be similarly numbered, except the suffix "A" will be used.
Furthermore,
the discussions of the various angles, widths, heights, thicknesses and the
like made
above with regard to Figures 1-5 are equally applicable to the embodiment
illustrated in
Figures 6-10.
[0053] The blank 100A comprises a center panel 110A, a first side panel 120A,
a second
side panel 130A and a third panel 160A. The third panel 160A comprises a
header panel
150A and an adhesive panel 140A. The positioning and attachments between the
first
side panel 120A, the second side panel 130A and the center panel 110A along
the first
and second pre-weakened areas 121A, 131A are the same as that discussed above
with
regard to Figure 1. However, in Figure 6 the third panel 160A has a first edge
162A and
a second free edge 163A. The header panel 150A comprises the first edge 162A
of the
third panel 160A and a second edge 153A. Furthermore, the adhesive panel 140A
comprises the second free edge 163A of the third panel 160A and a first edge
142A. The
first edge 162A of the third panel 160A (and also of the header panel 150A) is
attached to
the second edge 133A of the second side panel 130A along a third pre-weakened
line
141A. Furthermore, the second edge 153A of the header panel 150A is attached
to the
first edge 142A of the adhesive panel 140A along a fourth pre-weakened line
151A. The
structure and functionality of the first, second third and fourth pre-weakened
lines 121A,
131A, 141A, 151A is the same as discussed above with regard to Figures 1-5.
Thus, the
main difference between the blank 100A and the blank 100 is that the header
panel 150A
is adjacent to the second side panel 130A in the blank 100A.
[0054] The first side panel 120A has a width W1, the center panel 110A has a
width Wc,
the second side panel 130A has a width W2, the header panel 150A has a width
WH and
the adhesive panel 140A has a width WA. The widths of the panels are similar
to or the
same as that discussed above with regards to Figures 1-5. For the blank 100A,
it is
preferable that the equation W2 + WH > Wc ¨ W1 is met. This ensures that the
adhesive
17
CA 02807817 2015-10-28
panel 140A adheres to the rear surface 129A of the first side panel 120A when
the blank
100A is used to form a multi-panel display 200A in a folded state as discussed
below.
[0055] Furthermore, in the blank 100A all four corners of each of the panels
110A,
120A, 130A, 140A, 150A are rounded corners. Specifically, the attachment lines
between the various panels do not extend all the way to the bottom and top
edges of each
of the panels. Thus, the panels curve into the attachment lines (i.e., into
the first, second,
third and fourth pre-weakened lines), which creates the rounded comers. Again,
this
reduces the likelihood that the corners will become bent or otherwise damaged
during
storage and/or use of the blank 100 as a multi-panel display. Thus, rounding
the comers
of each of the panels improves the shelf life of the blank 100 while also
adding a superior
design aesthetic.
[0056] The header panel 150A comprises a first slot 155A having a first
terminal end
157A and a second slot 156A having a second terminal end 158A. The first and
second
slots 155A, 156A of the header panel 150A are similar to the first and second
slots 155,
156 of the header panel 150 discussed above. Furthermore, the front surface
148A of the
adhesive panel 140A is at least partially coated with an adhesive material
145A to
facilitate maintaining the blank 100A in a folded or closed state when
desired. The
adhesive material 145A can be any of the adhesive materials 145 discussed
above with
regard to the blank 100.
[0057] Referring to Figures 7 and 8 concurrently, using the blank 100A as a
multi-panel
display 200A in a folded state will be described. In Figures 7 and 8, the
blank 100A has
been folded to form the multi-panel display 200A in the folded state.
Specifically, the
first side panel 120A is folded over the center panel 110A about the first pre-
weakened
line 121A. The second side panel 120A is folded over the center panel 110A
about the
second pre-weakened line 131A. Upon folding the second side panel 120A over
the
center panel 110A, the third panel 160A including both the header panel 150A
and the
adhesive panel 140A overlies a rear surface 129A of the first side panel 120A.
More
specifically, the front surface 158A of the header panel 150A and the front
surface 148A
of the adhesive panel 140A overlie and potentially come into contact with the
rear surface
129A of the first side panel 120A.
18
CA 02807817 2015-10-28
[0058] Upon the front surface 148A of the adhesive panel 140A coming into
contact with
the rear surface 129A of the first side panel 120A, the adhesive panel 140A
adheres to the
rear surface 129A of the first side panel 120A. Thus, the adhesive panel 140A
maintains
the multi-panel display 200A in the folded state.
[0059] When it is desired to alter the multi-panel display 200A from the
folded state into
the unfolded state, a user will pull on the second side panel 130A in a
direction away
from the center panel 110A, which will cause the second side panel 120A to
break away
or separate from the third panel 160A (i.e., the header panel 150A) along the
third pre-
weakened line 141A. The second side panel 130A is then rotated out relative to
the
center panel 110A along the second pre-weakened line 131A to expose the front
surfaces
138A, 118A of the center panel 110A and the second side panel 130A. At this
point, the
header panel 150A remains attached to the adhesive panel 140A along the fourth
pre-
weakened line 151A and the adhesive panel 140A remains adhered to the rear
surface
129A of the first side panel 120A. Thus, next the user will pull on the header
panel 150A
so as cause the header panel 150A to break away or separate from the adhesive
panel
140A along the fourth pre-weakened line 151A. At this point, the header panel
150A is
completely separated from the sheet of material, and the first side panel 120A
can be
rotated out relative to the center panel 110A along the first pre-weakened
line 121A.
Furthermore, at this point the adhesive panel 140A remains adhered to the rear
surface
129A of the first side panel 120A.
[0060] Figure 9 illustrates the multi-panel display 200A after the header
panel 150A has
been removed, the first side panel 120A has been rotated along the first pre-
weakened
line 121A and the second side panel 130A has been rotated along the second pre-
weakened line 131A. As can be seen, the adhesive panel 140A remains adhered to
the
rear surface 129A of the first side panel 120A. In this embodiment, the
adhesive panel
140A is adhered to the rear surface 129A of the first side panel 120A at a
location
adjacent the first pre-weakened line 121A. Of course, the location at which
the adhesive
panel 140A is adhered to the rear surface 129A of the first side panel 120A
can be
changed depending on the various widths panels.
19
CA 02807817 2015-10-28
, .
[0061] Referring to Figures 9 and 10 concurrently, after the multi-panel
display device
200A is altered into the unfolded state, the header panel 150A is mounted onto
the first
and second side panels 120A, 130A in the same manner as discussed above with
regard
to the multi-panel display device 200. Specifically, the header panel 150A is
mounted to
the first side panel 120A so that a top edge 124A of the first side panel 120A
is received
within a first slot 155A in the header panel 150A. The header panel 150A is
mounted to
the second side panel 130A so that a top edge 134A of the second side panel
130A is
received within a second slot 156A in the header panel 150A. The header panel
150A
can be slid onto the first and second side panels 120A, 130A until the top
edges 124A,
134A of the first and second side panels 120A, 130A come into contact with the
terminal
ends 157A, 158A of the first and second slots 155A, 156A, respectively. This
positioning is illustrated in Figure 10.
[0062] Upon mounting the header panel 150A to the first and second side panels
120A,
130A, the adhesive panel 140A is hidden behind the header panel 150A. Thus, in
this
embodiment the location of the adhesive panel 140A is such that it is
completely blocked
from view by being adhered to the rear surface 129A of the first side panel
120A and due
to the positioning of the header panel 150A. The header panel 150A can be used
to both
present a title or other information for the multi-panel display 200A such as
during a
presentation and can ensure that the first and second side panels 120A, 130A
remain
oriented at a particularly desired angle relative to the center panel 110A for
optimal
viewing.
[0063] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each
and every
value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as
the terminus
of the range. While the invention has been described with respect to specific
examples
including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those
skilled in the art
will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the
above
described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other
embodiments may be
utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without
departing from
the scope of the present invention.
