Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Clasp – clip – support-clamp – or required component thereof – Having gripping member formed from – biased by – or mounted on...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-07
2001-10-16
Sandy, Robert J. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Clasp, clip, support-clamp, or required component thereof
Having gripping member formed from, biased by, or mounted on...
C024S553000, C024S327000, C024S545000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301756
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a clip for use in fastening a napkin or other object to an article of clothing on a wearer. Particularly, the present invention pertains to a napkin clip which includes flat surface areas for displaying words or symbols for use in advertising.
2. Description of the Related Art
Business providers oftentimes provide premiums, typically consisting of small, inexpensive souvenirs such as pens, buttons, pads, etc., which usually have a business provider's name, address and/or telephone number imprinted thereon. Such premiums are typically distributed at trade shows, business conventions, as well as in more common environments such as hotels, restaurants, etc. Premiums typically serve a dual purpose, namely to provide practical utility, such as in the case of a pen, and to convey a business name to a user or potential customer, e.g., by depicting a business name on a pen. It is also desirable for premiums to be inexpensive and of relatively small size so that they can be produced in bulk quantities and given away more readily.
An example of a practical premium is a clip for use, for example, as a paper clip for releasably securing papers together or in a garment clip for use in releasably securing a napkin to an article of clothing, the latter use being particularly beneficial for restaurant patrons. Existing clips known by applicant are considered unsuitable for premium use because such clips posses relatively small dimensions including thin frame diameters which make it difficult to display a company name, trademark or symbol in a manner that can be easily seen by the wearer or by others proximate to the wearer. Accordingly, there exists a need for a napkin clip design which provides for releasably securing a napkin to a user while providing an advertising surface for displaying visible indicia such as text or symbols.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A clip is provided for use as an advertising medium of business owners, and in particular, restaurant owners and credit card providers for use in restaurants and other establishments where food is served. The inventive clip serves its intended purpose, namely to releasably secure a napkin to a wearer's clothing to protect the clothing from, for example, splattered food. The clip also serves an additional benefit of providing one or more surfaces for displaying, in a manner visible by the wearer and/or by others proximate the wearer, an advertising slogan, symbol or trademark. The symbols or trademarks are preferably those of the restaurant in which the clip is used and may also be of the clip provider, e.g. a credit card services provider who supplies clips to a restaurant for use by the restaurant's patrons.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 689811 (1901-12-01), Brownley
patent: 1393577 (1921-10-01), Ryason
patent: 2585089 (1952-02-01), Caldwell et al.
patent: 2601026 (1952-06-01), Jones
patent: 2729868 (1956-01-01), Manning
patent: 2931086 (1960-04-01), Rose
patent: 3482293 (1969-12-01), Takahashi et al.
patent: 4011673 (1977-03-01), Levine
patent: 4097971 (1978-07-01), Morris
patent: 4261121 (1981-04-01), Coon
patent: 4277864 (1981-07-01), Orson, Sr.
patent: 4536924 (1985-08-01), Willoughby
patent: 4630385 (1986-12-01), Swim
patent: 4763390 (1988-08-01), Rooz
patent: 5159731 (1992-11-01), Dereadt
patent: 5440791 (1995-08-01), Guio
patent: 5640742 (1997-06-01), White et al.
patent: 5913478 (1999-06-01), Ochsman
patent: 5924176 (1999-07-01), Lee
patent: 6003211 (1999-12-01), Chen
Cohen & Pontani, Lieberman & Pavane
Sandy Robert J.
LandOfFree
Clip does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Clip, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Clip will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2551397