Promotional item insertable into a paper roller

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to advertising inserts, and more particularly to an insert comprising a promotional item such as a coupon or advertisement located inside a paper roller used to carry paper products and the like. A paper roller having an interior, an exterior, and two openings can include a removable promotional item contained in the interior, where the item has a tab used to extract the promotional item. The tab can either extend generally out of the roller, or can connect two promotional items by forming a bridge across the interior of the roller. The bridge will cause the promotional item to be dispelled when it contacts a rod used to support the roll.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An improved paper roller having an interior, an exterior, and two openings, said paper roller having a removable promotional item contained within the interior of the roller, and where the promotional item is comprised of a tab connecting a first section and a second section, said tab traversing the interior of the roller when the promotional items is disposed within the roller.  
     
     
         2 . A promotional item adapted to be disposed within the interior of a paper roller comprising two sections curled into semi-cylinders, said semi-cylinders connected by a tab attached to a first end of each semi-cylinder such that, when said promotional item is disposed within the roller, the tab spans substantially the diameter of said roller.  
     
     
         3 . The promotional item of  claim 2  wherein the two sections are rectangular prior to being curled on each other to form a cylindrical configuration insertable into a paper roller, said roller having an interior, an exterior and two openings, where the tab occupies a position in the middle of the roller such that a rod passing through the roller will contact the tab.  
     
     
         4 . The promotional item of  claim 2  wherein a first promotional item section comprises a coupon.  
     
     
         5 . The promotional item of  claim 4  wherein a second promotional item section comprises a coupon.  
     
     
         6 . The promotional item of  claim 2  wherein said a first promotional item section comprises a contest entry form.  
     
     
         7 . The promotional item of  claim 2  wherein said first promotional item section comprises an advertisement.  
     
     
         8 . The promotional item of  claim 2  wherein said first promotional item section comprises information comparing a plurality of products.  
     
     
         9 . The promotional item of  claim 2  wherein said first promotional item section comprises a sample of a product.  
     
     
         10 . The promotional item of  claim 2  wherein said first promotional item comprises a novelty  
     
     
         11 . The promotional item of  claim 2  wherein said first promotional item comprises an item that can be collected and redeemed for at least one prize.  
     
     
         12 . An improved paper roller having an interior and an exterior, said paper roller having a promotional item contained within the interior of the roller, and where the promotional item is removable from the roller.  
     
     
         13 . The improved paper roller of  claim 12  wherein said promotional item comprises a coupon.  
     
     
         14 . The improved paper roller of  claim 12  wherein said promotional item comprises a contest entry form.  
     
     
         15 . The improved paper roller of  claim 12  wherein said promotional item comprises an advertisement regarding a manufacturer's product.  
     
     
         16 . The improved paper roller of  claim 12  wherein said promotional item comprises information comparing a plurality of products.  
     
     
         17 . The improved paper roller of  claim 12  wherein said promotional item comprises a sample of a new product.  
     
     
         18 . The improved paper roller of  claim 12  wherein said promotional item comprises a novelty item.  
     
     
         19 . The improved paper roller of  claim 12  wherein said promotional item comprises an item that can be collected and redeemed for a prize.  
     
     
         20 . An improved paper roller having an interior and an exterior, said paper roller having a promotional item contained substantially within the interior, said promotional item having a first portion adapted to conform to the inner wall of the roller and a second portion adapted to extend from the first portion in a manner non-conforming with the inner wall of the roller.  
     
     
         21 . The improved paper roller of  claim 20  wherein said second portion of the promotional item comprises a tab extending out of the roller.  
     
     
         22 . The improved paper roller of  claim 20  wherein said second portion of the promotional item comprises a tab disposed in the roller and projecting across the interior of the roller.