Match containers having manufacturer coupons

Abstract

Improved match containers having removable coupon sheets are provided for. The match container comprises a plurality of matches packaged in the container and a coupon sheet. The coupon sheet provides a substrate on which the manufacturer coupon is imprinted. It is removable from the container by a consumer for redemption of the manufacturer coupon. The manufacturer coupon further includes machine readable code associated with the manufacturer coupon to facilitate the automated processing of the manufacturer coupon. Improved methods for distributing manufacturer coupons via the novel match containers also are provided for.

1 . A plurality of matches in primary packaging, wherein said match package comprises:
 (a) a container in which said matches are carried and   (b) a manufacturer coupon redeemable by a consumer and having machine readable code associated therewith to facilitate the automated processing of said coupon.   
     
     
         2 . The match package of  claim 1 , wherein said manufacturer coupon is imprinted on said container. 
     
     
         3 . The match package of  claim 1 , wherein said match package comprises a wrap provided on said match container and said manufacturer coupon is imprinted on said wrap. 
     
     
         4 . The match package of  claim 1 , wherein said match container comprises a separable coupon sheet providing a substrate on which said manufacturer coupon is imprinted such that said manufacturer coupon may be removed from said container for redemption. 
     
     
         5 . The match package of  claim 4 , wherein said match container has a first closed position, in which said matches are substantially enclosed in said container, and a second open position, in which said matches are accessible and may be removed individually therefrom by a consumer; wherein said manufacturer coupon imprinted on said coupon sheet is removable from said container without impairing the ability of said container to substantially enclose said matches when said container is in said first closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The match package of  claim 5 , wherein said match container has a branding advertising message from a sponsor; wherein said container has a second substrate on which said branding message is imprinted; and wherein said manufacturer coupon may be removed from said match container by a consumer without compromising the integrity of said second substrate on which said sponsor branding message is imprinted. 
     
     
         7 . The match package of  claim 4 , wherein said match container is a match box comprising a drawer, said drawer being adapted to receive said plurality of matches, and a cover having igniting material thereon, said cover slidably receiving said drawer such that said drawer is inserted into said cover when said match box is in said first closed position and said drawer is at least partially withdrawn from said cover when said container is in said second open position. 
     
     
         8 . The match package of  claim 7 , wherein said coupon sheet is captured by said match package. 
     
     
         9 . The match package of  claim 7 , wherein said coupon sheet is carried in said match box drawer with said matches. 
     
     
         10 . The match package of  claim 7 , wherein said coupon sheet is separably connected to said match box such that said manufacturer coupon may be separated from said match box and removed from said match box without impairing the ability of said match box to substantially enclose said matches when said match box is in said closed position. 
     
     
         11 . The match package of  claim 10 , wherein said coupon sheet is releasably affixed to said cover of said match box such that said manufacturer coupon may be separated from said cover and removed from said cover without impairing the ability of said match box to substantially enclose said matches when said match box is in said closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The match package of  claim 10 , wherein said coupon sheet is releasably affixed to said drawer of said match box such that said manufacturer coupon may be separated from said drawer and removed from said drawer without impairing the ability of said match box to substantially enclose said matches when said match box is in said closed position. 
     
     
         13 . The match package of  claim 4 , wherein said match container is a matchbook comprising:
 (a) a comb of matches comprising said plurality of matches;   (b) a cover attached to and folded over said comb, said cover substantially enclosing said comb when said cover is in a first closed position and permitting access to said comb when said cover is in a second open position;   (c) igniting material on said cover.   
     
     
         14 . The match package of  claim 13 , wherein said coupon sheet is separably connected to said cover such that said manufacturer coupon may be separated from said cover and removed from said matchbook by a consumer without impairing the ability of said cover to substantially enclose said comb when said matchbook is in said first closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The match package of  claim 14 , wherein said matchbook book has a branding advertising message from a sponsor; wherein said cover provides a second substrate on which said branding message is imprinted; and wherein said manufacturer coupon may be separated from said cover and removed from said matchbook by a consumer without compromising the integrity of said second substrate on which said sponsor branding message is imprinted. 
     
     
         16 . The match package of  claim 13 , wherein said cover is provided on a first section of an imprintable substrate sheet and said coupon sheet is provided on a second section of said imprintable substrate sheet, the boundary between said first and second sections being defined by perforations in said sheet such that said second section is separable from said first section whereby said coupon sheet may be removed from said matchbook. 
     
     
         17 . The match package of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of said coupon sheet is releasably affixed to a surface of said cover. 
     
     
         18 . The match package of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of said coupon sheet is releasably affixed to said cover by adhesives. 
     
     
         19 . The match package of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of said coupon sheet is releasably affixed to said cover by fusing said cover and said coupon sheet. 
     
     
         20 . The match package of  claim 13 , wherein said comb and cover are attached to each other by a staple and said coupon sheet is connected to said cover by said staple. 
     
     
         21 . The match package of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of said coupon sheet is releasably connected to said cover by mechanical attachment means. 
     
     
         22 . The match package of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of said coupon sheet is releasably affixed to said cover by paper welds. 
     
     
         23 . The match package of  claim 13  wherein said coupon sheet is captured by primary packing for said matchbook. 
     
     
         24 . The match package of  claim 23 , wherein said coupon sheet is enclosed in said matchbook when said cover is in said first closed position. 
     
     
         25 . The match package of  claim 24 , wherein said coupon sheet is frictionally retained between said comb and said cover. 
     
     
         26 . The match package of  claim 23 , wherein said cover comprises a first substrate layer and a second substrate layer, said substrate layers having first areas in which they are adhered to each other and a second area free of adhesive, said substrate layers thereby defining in said second area an open ended pocket in which said coupon sheet is carried. 
     
     
         27 . The match package of  claim 23 , wherein said coupon sheet is captured by wrapping provided on said matchbook. 
     
     
         28 . The match package of  claim 23 , wherein said coupon sheet is affixed to wrapping provided on said matchbook. 
     
     
         29 . The match package of  claim 13 , wherein a pad of coupon sheets is attached to said cover. 
     
     
         30 . The match package of  claim 13 , wherein said manufacturer coupon is imprinted on wrapping provided on said matchbook. 
     
     
         31 . The match package of  claim 1 , wherein said coupon includes a bar code associated therewith. 
     
     
         32 . The match package of  claim 1 , wherein said coupon includes a UPC bar code utilizing the UCC/EAN-128 Article Numbering System or the GS1 DataBar coupon code. 
     
     
         33 . The match package of  claim 1 , wherein said manufacturer coupon is for a tobacco or alcohol product. 
     
     
         34 . A method for providing manufacturer coupons for dissemination to a target consumer group, which method comprises:
 (a) packaging matches in primary packaging comprising a container in which said matches are carried and a manufacturer coupon, wherein said manufacturer coupon is redeemable by a consumer and has machine readable code associated therewith to facilitate the automated processing of said coupon; and   (b) providing said match package for distribution to a consumer outlet associated with said target consumer group whereby said manufacturer coupon may be provided to said target consumer group.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said manufacturer coupon is imprinted on said container. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said match package comprises a wrap provided on said container and said manufacturer coupon is imprinted on said wrap. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said match package comprises a separable coupon sheet providing a substrate on which said manufacturer coupon is imprinted such that said manufacturer coupon may be removed from said container for redemption. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said match container has a first closed position, in which said matches are substantially enclosed in said container, and a second open position, in which said matches are accessible and may be removed individually therefrom by a consumer; and said manufacturer coupon imprinted on said coupon sheet is removable without impairing the ability of said container to substantially enclose said matches when said container is in said first position. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said match container has a branding advertising message from a sponsor; wherein said cover provides a second substrate on which said branding message is imprinted; and wherein said manufacturer coupon may be removed from said matchbook by a consumer without compromising the integrity of said second substrate on which said sponsor branding message is imprinted. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 34 , said method further comprising packaging said match packages in a shipping carton having a machine readable indicator assigned to said manufacturer coupon; and reading said indicator and in response thereto shipping said carton to said consumer outlet. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said coupon includes a bar code associated therewith. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said coupon includes a UPC bar code utilizing the UCC/EAN-128 Article Numbering System or the GS1 DataBar coupon code. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein said manufacturer coupon is for a tobacco or alcohol product.