DE20017037U1 - Data carrier shipping system and mailing bag for data carriers, especially "digital postcard" - Google Patents

Description

Data carrier shipping system and shipping bag for data carriers, in particular "digital postcards"

The invention relates to a shipping bag for data carriers with the preamble features of claim 1 and/or a data carrier shipping concept.

Various rectangular mailing bags are known for sending data media, especially CDs and CD-ROMs. These mailing bags are made from a cut of a stronger cardboard material, with retaining tabs or the like provided on the inside of the mailing bags to hold the data media in place so that they don't slip. The outside of the mailing bags has a writable field on the front for writing down a shipping address or sender and a stamp field.

When choosing the material for making the mailing bags, a compromise is made between a firmer cardboard material to protect the data carrier being sent, on the one hand, and a cardboard material that is not too firm, on the other, in order to achieve a weight that is postage-efficient. In particular, the material of such mailing bags is chosen in such a way that it is impossible for the contents to show through. This is for security reasons, so that it cannot be seen from the outside whether, for example, a CD with an expensive software program is being sent using the mailing bag.

Also well known are CD pockets, which are folded from thin paper into a square receptacle. These paper pockets have a circular cutout on the front, which is covered with a transparent

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This means that anyone can see the * labelled side of a CD stored in it. These pockets have an adhesive section on the back, which allows them to be stuck to the inside of the back cover of a book, for example. Such pockets are particularly well-known from computer books, in which the corresponding software programs are supplied on a CD for the programs described in the text area. These pockets are therefore very thin-walled so that they take up as little space as possible when inserted into books or magazines. The CD inside only needs minimal protection, as the surrounding book or magazine pages already have a protective effect.

The object of the invention is, on the one hand, to propose an advertising-effective data storage device shipping system and, on the other hand, a shipping bag for data storage devices that is as cost-effective as possible.

This object is achieved by the shipping bag for data carriers with the features of claim 1 or the data carrier shipping system with the features of claim 9.

Equipping a mailing bag for data media, especially CDs, with a cutout on the back to allow a view of the inserted data media offers the particular advantage that people who transport or receive the data media can see directly what is printed on the data media. This offers an opportunity to effectively distribute advertising. Technically, there is another particular advantage that the provision of the cutout results in a considerable weight advantage, which, if the material used for the mailing bag is chosen with the appropriate strength, is more than sufficient for a continuous

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Wall of a comparable shipping bag has a postage-saving effect due to the corresponding weight reduction.

Reducing the total surface area of a mailing bag for data storage media by cutting off corners, up to a round mailing bag with an outer diameter barely larger than the CD to be shipped, also reduces weight and thus saves postage.

By means of the data carrier shipping system, in which a CD with a printed CD surface is inserted into such a shipping bag, in particular a shipping bag with a recess for allowing a view of an inserted data carrier, a visually uniform impression is conveyed by the optical design of at least part of the edge of the shipping bag corresponding to the optical design of the CD surface visible through the recess.

Advantageous embodiments are the subject of dependent claims.

Particularly in the case of mailing bags for data storage media with a cutout, it is advantageous to line the inside of the cutout with a partially transparent protective material, in particular a film, so that on the one hand the view of the CD surface remains clear, but on the other hand this CD surface is protected to a minimal extent against minor damage. Such protection is particularly advantageous when transporting in mail bags in which bulky and possibly sharp objects are transported together with the mailing bag, or when delivering in rainy weather, as such a protective material prevents the CD surface from being damaged, getting wet or becoming dirty.

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When reducing the surface area of the shipping bags, in addition to hexagonal or octagonal shipping bag shapes with correspondingly greater weight savings, circular shipping bags in particular are ideal for optimal weight savings. However, any other shape of shipping bag can also be chosen, especially motif shapes.

A writable surface is conveniently provided on the front, i.e. in the case of a recess on the corresponding opposite side of the envelope. Forms can be provided with areas for writing down an address, sticking on a stamp, marking a sender field for writing down the sender's address and, in the case of a "digital greeting card", a greeting field like on a picture postcard.

A data carrier shipping concept is an ideal means of sending a digital postcard in the form of a CD with, for example, a slide show that can be shown on a standard PC. Additionally or alternatively, data about local and/or cultural and/or tourist conditions and offers from places, hotels, restaurants or a region can also be loaded onto the CD. This information is transmitted in a particularly effective advertising manner if a corresponding print on the CD surface visually refers to such information and, advantageously, the edge areas of the shipping bag are designed to match the appearance. In particular, the color of the CD edge area can be chosen to match the color of the edge areas of a shipping bag around the recess.

Other information may be direct advertising information about tourist or cultural offers, which may advantageously be directly linked to data information for a

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automatic access to corresponding providers. For example, a corresponding software program on the CD can be used to display a picture on a computer monitor or similar device, e.g. computer-controlled televisions or independent consoles, which can display the hotel's offers by clicking on a picture of a hotel. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a selection, for example a double room for a specific period of time, can be sent to the hotel directly via an electronic data connection, in particular the Internet or email services, as an inquiry, reservation or booking. Other types of services can of course also be used in a similar way, for example reserving tickets for a cultural event or placing orders with companies.

To round off the data carrier shipping concept, the inside of the continuous shipping bag side can also be designed with a surface print that is adapted to the printed surface design of a CD to be inserted. Since the middle area of a CD usually consists of a transparent hole and a transparent edge area around it before the print is applied to the outer peripheral area of the CD surface, such an inside print of a shipping bag would shine through this transparent area and accordingly create a visually continuous surface.

In particular, a digital room registration can be created in the form of a CD with the appropriate data and programs as a digital brochure for city and municipal administrations with room registration data and cultural information. Instead of a heavy paper brochure, such a significantly lighter digital brochure requires less postage for shipping. In addition, the production costs are

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for a CD is much lower than for a brochure made of * paper. Further advantages are the possibility of multimedia presentation with superimposed music and film sequences.

Examples of implementation are explained in more detail below using the drawings. They show:

Fig. 1: a blank for a shipping bag for data carriers with a rear recess for allowing a view of a CD inserted into the shipping bag according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2: such a shipping bag with more than four corners according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 3: a blank for a shipping bag with a composite circular shape according to a third embodiment and

Fig. 4: a sketch of the data carrier shipping concept.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, a shipping bag for a data carrier in the form of a CD according to a first embodiment consists of a substantially rectangular blank 1. Preferably, the length of its longitudinal edges 2 is twice as long as the length of its transverse edges 3. A fold line runs centrally between the two transverse edges 3 and parallel to them, which is preferably provided with a fold embossing or fold line and serves as a bottom fold 4. The blank 1 is bent and folded along this bottom fold 4 so that the two halves come to rest on one another. In order to be able to attach the two halves to one another, side flaps 5 are provided on the two opposite longitudinal edges 2, which in the blank 1 can be folded in a particularly simple manner.

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Embodiment protrude outwards beyond the long edges 2. In the area of the side flaps 5, a fold line or fold embossing is advantageously also formed along the long edges 2 running there as a side flap fold 6. After the two halves of the blank 1 have been pivoted about the bottom fold 4 and placed against one another, the two side flaps are folded along the corresponding side flap fold 6 in the direction of the second blank half behind it and guided behind it in order to be attached, in particular glued, to it. In this way, a mailing bag with three closed side edges is created. After inserting a CD into the mailing bag through the fourth, open side, this remaining opening is closed by folding over a transverse edge flap 7, which extends beyond one of the two transverse edges 3 as a continuation of the blank 1. The transition of the blank 1 into the transverse edge flap 7 is preferably again formed by a fold line or fold embossing in the form of a transverse edge fold 8 along the corresponding transverse edge 3.

Instead of gluing the mailing bag firmly using the tabs 5 or 7, you can of course also use known tuck-in tab closures or other known closure means, such as adhesive foils or adhesive films, to close the individual sides of the mailing bag in such a way that an inserted CD cannot fall out.

While the provision of an address field 9 and a postage field 10 on the outside of one side of the mailing bag is known per se for CD mailing bags, here a sender field 11 and in particular a greeting field 12 are advantageously also provided. By providing the greeting field 12, notes, greetings, messages and the like can be written on this area, similar to a postcard.

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A print 13 is advantageously applied to the outside of the second half, which is adapted to the print on the surface of a CD that is to be sent in this mailing bag. In particular, the print 13 can also have motifs 14 that are adapted to motifs on the CD to be sent or to themes in its contents. The print is advantageously applied to the two outside sides at a time when a sheet or flat cut 1 is still available. After folding, a front side 15 with address field 9 etc. is obtained.

and an opposite back side 16 with the outside print 13.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, a recess 17 is provided in the back 16, in particular a circular cutout that allows a view of an inserted CD, in particular its printed top. The recess 17 can also have other shapes or be designed in the form of several separate cutouts. The recess 17 is advantageously so small that an edge remains behind which the CD can lie safely. In order to protect the surface of the CD against damage, splashes or dirt, an at least partially transparent protective material can be stretched over the recess(es) 17 on the back 16. Comparable recesses with protective films are known from the book covers described in the introduction.

A blank 21 shown in Fig. 2 is designed to save even more material and thus even more lightweight than the blank 1 described above. Essentially, this blank 21 has the basic shapes and lines of the blank 1 described above, namely longitudinal edges 22, transverse edges 23, a bottom fold 24 running centrally and parallel between the transverse edges 23, around which the front side 15 and back side 16 can be folded, and at the

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Longitudinal edges 22 and the transverse edge 23 of one half of the blank in turn have tabs 25 and 27 with fold lines 26 to 28 between the tabs 25, 27 and the corresponding half of the blank 21. On the half of the blank that forms the front 15, an address field 9, a postage field 10 and, for example, a greeting field 12 are advantageously printed. On the later outside of the other half of the blank, which forms the back 16 after folding, an imprint 13 is advantageously applied again. This imprint 13 is expediently adapted in terms of its color and/or motif to the surface design of a CD to be inserted or to the content of the data on the CD.

To save weight and to allow a view of the surface of an inserted CD, a recess 17 is advantageously provided in the rear side 16.

To reduce the weight of the blank, which is expediently made of a solid cardboard box for the safe transport of an inserted data carrier, the present section of this second embodiment is equipped with notches and folds. In the present case, a blank 21 is shown which, after being folded around the bottom fold 24, takes on the shape of an octet. For this purpose, a cut of approximately one third or two thirds of the transverse edges 23 is made diagonally through the blank to approximately one third or two thirds of the length of the adjacent side edges 22. In the blank 21 shown, the transverse edges 23 and the longitudinal edges 22 are thus connected to one another via beveled edges 29. Of course, other shapes are also conceivable in addition to an octet. Thus, by means of an appropriate number of beveled edges and cut or punched-out parts, in particular all conceivable shapes between a square mailing bag and a

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circular mailing bag. Mailing bags in the shape of a motif with edges that are not necessarily symmetrically opposite each other are also conceivable. In particular, the recess does not have to be one piece but can consist of several recesses or cutouts 17.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment with a circular shipping bag after folding, which can be folded from the blank 31. The sections that form the front 15 and the back 16 are connected to one another by a correspondingly narrow transition area or a correspondingly narrow bottom fold 24. In order to prevent the CD from slipping out of the shipping bag after it has been assembled and inserted, tabs 32 are again formed on the circumference of at least one of the two parts, here the front 15.

It is expedient to have at least three fixing points (24, 32, 32) which are distributed over the circumference of the envelope in such a way that a CD cannot slip out of the sealed envelope, and in particular cannot slip. The greater the number of flaps or the wider they are, the more stable the connection between the front 15 and the back 16 will be after the flaps have been put together and, for example, glued.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, there is a print 33 on the inside of the front side 15, as is sketched in Fig. 3, which represents the later inside of the blank 31. The print 33 is advantageously adapted to the motif of the surface of a CD to be inserted. The size of the printed area advantageously corresponds at least to the size of the mounting hole located centrally in the CD or the ring section lying around it and which is transparent in many CDs. Such a print thus complements the optical image of a CD lying on it, since the central area

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in the CD does not reveal a purely grey or white cardboard surface. As an alternative to a print 33 adapted to the CD print, any motif or advertisement can of course be printed on the mailing bag.

Alternatively, a corresponding central print can be applied to a film which is clamped into the recess 17, so that such a print covers a central area which is unprinted on the CD or which cannot be printed on due to the central hole.

Fig. 4 outlines elements of a data carrier shipping concept or data carrier advertising system. It shows a shipping bag with a CD 41 inserted in it in front of a computer 46 with a CD-ROM compartment 42 into which the CD 41 can be inserted after being removed from the shipping bag 40. The contents of the CD 41 can then be used to operate the computer 46 or can also only include image, text and/or sound content that can be read using software on the computer 46 and advantageously displayed on a monitor 43. On the screen area 44 of the monitor 43, for example, a picture of a hotel 47 and a mouse arrow or cursor arrow 45 are shown.

According to one embodiment, presentation data is stored on the CD 41. The presentation data preferably includes a presentation program with which image, text and/or sound content, which is stored as additional data on the CD 41, can be displayed automatically and/or manually selectably on the display surface 44 of the monitor 43. Such a program, which is expediently started automatically after the CD 41 is inserted into the computer 46, advantageously enables a presentation of the information data content of the CD 41, ideally without having to resort to standard software of the computer 46.

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In particular, an automatic picture show with sound can be played in this way, which presents picture and sound information about, for example, a holiday region. Other examples of CD content could be representations of animals in a zoo or representations of guest quarters in a health resort.

Such programs and/or data contents can advantageously also enable direct access to service providers when the CD 41 is inserted into a computer 46 which, for example, has an Internet and/or email connection. After information from the CD 41 is displayed on the screen, for example of a hotel 47, more detailed information about this hotel can be called up by entering a command, for example "by clicking the mouse". Such information can relate to special offers from this hotel, but can also include standard information about available rooms and reservation options. According to a simple embodiment, for example, an order request with a predefined address can be printed out on a standard printer, which can then be sent to the hotel operator to request further information, e.g. brochures. In the particularly preferred embodiment, however, a reservation or information request can also be sent directly to the hotel operator by email or Internet. Other conceivable interactive communications can also be directed to organizers of cultural events, for example, so that, for example, tickets for a concert in a particular concert hall can be reserved.

The shipping bag described above in various embodiments or even just its different cuts, as well as the data carrier shipping concept, thus offers the use of CDs as

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"digital postcards", "digital advertising media" etc.. Particular advantages are offered by the recesses 17, which allow a view of the inserted CD and at the same time should lead to a postage-saving weight saving of the mailing bag and on the other hand also imprints which are adapted to the design of the CDs to be inserted or simply as a postcard greeting field on the inside and/or outside.

Claims (14)

1. Shipping bag ( 40 ) for at least one data carrier, in particular CDs ( 41 ), with a front side ( 15 ) and a back side ( 16 ) which are securely connected to one another at peripheral sections after a data carrier ( 41 ) has been inserted, characterized in that a recess ( 17 ) is formed in at least the back side ( 16 ) or the front side ( 15 ) to allow a view of the inserted data carrier ( 41 ). 2. Shipping bag according to claim 1, wherein the recess ( 17 ) is covered by an at least partially transparent protective material, in particular a film. 3. Shipping bag ( 40 ), in particular according to claim 1 or 2, for at least one data carrier ( 41 ) with a front side ( 15 ) and a back side ( 16 ), which are securely connected to one another at peripheral sections after the insertion of a data carrier ( 41 ), characterized in that the outer circumference of the shipping bag ( 41 ) has rounded portions and/or at least five corners. 4. Shipping bag according to claim 3, wherein the shipping bag has a more than 5-sided, in particular hexagonal or octagonal or at least partially circular shape. 5. Shipping bag according to any preceding claim, in which at least three connecting sections, in particular tabs ( 5 , 7 ; 25 , 27 ; 32 ), are designed to connect the opposite sides (15, 16) of the shipping bag. 6. Shipping bag according to any preceding claim, in which a writable address field ( 9 ) and/or sender field ( 11 ) and/or greeting field ( 12 ) are formed on the outside of the front side. 7. Shipping bag according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one outer side is printed with an imprint ( 13 , 14 ) which is adapted to the surface design, in particular the surface print, of a data carrier ( 41 ) to be inserted or inserted. 8. Blank ( 1 ; 21 ; 31 ) for a mailing bag according to any preceding claim. 9. Data carrier shipping system with a shipping bag according to one of claims 1 to 7 or a blank according to claim 8 and with a data carrier, in particular a CD ( 41 ), wherein at least one data carrier surface is printed with a design, characterized in that at least the edge region of the shipping bag or the blank has a print which is adapted to the surface design of the data carrier ( 41 ). 10. Data carrier shipping system according to claim 9, wherein the data carrier contains data about local and/or cultural and/or tourist conditions or offers. 11. Data carrier shipping system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the print ( 13 , 14 ) on the shipping bag or on the blank is adapted to the data contents and/or the surface design of the data carrier ( 41 ), in particular comprises advertising information. 12. Data carrier shipping system according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the data on the data carrier ( 41 ) have information exchange options for communicating with providers for whom information data is stored on the data carrier ( 41 ). 13. Shipping bag or blank according to one of the preceding claims, in which - a central recess ( 17 ) provides a view of a partially transparent or perforated data carrier ( 41 ) and in the area - a representation ( 33 ) is applied to the inside of the adjacent envelope side and/or - a representation is applied to a protective material closing the recess ( 17 ), which representation is adapted to the design of the surface design of the data carrier ( 41 ) that is otherwise visible through the recess ( 17 ). 14. Presentation data carrier, in particular for a data carrier shipping system according to one of claims 9 to 12, with data about local and/or cultural and/or tourist conditions or offers, in particular with a presentation program.