Abstract: Cigarette lighters and packaged lighters are provided for. The lighters and packaged lighters are provided with a manufacturer coupon. Methods for providing manufacturer coupons for dissemination to a target consumer group also are provided for. Preferred embodiments of the novel methods comprise packaging a cigarette lighter for retail distribution. The lighter is packaged with a removable coupon sheet. The coupon sheet provides a substrate on which said manufacturer coupon is imprinted and is removable by a consumer. The manufacturer coupon is redeemable by a consumer and includes machine readable code associated therewith to facilitate automated processing of the coupon.

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.

Abstract: Improved matchbooks having separable message sheets are provided for. The novel matchbooks each comprise a comb of matches having a plurality of matches and a cover. The cover is attached to and folded over the comb such that the cover substantially encloses the comb when the cover is in a first closed position and permits a consumer to access the matches in the comb when the cover is in a second open position. The cover has igniting material on the cover on which the matches may be struck and ignited. The matchbooks also have a message sheet providing a substrate on which a message may be imprinted. The message sheet is separably connected to the cover such that the message sheet is separable from the cover. Thus, the message sheet may be removed from a novel matchbook by a consumer without compromising the integrity of the matchbook.

Abstract: Improved matchbooks having separable message sheets are provided for. The novel matchbooks each comprise a comb of matches having a plurality of matches and a cover. The cover is attached to and folded over the comb such that the cover substantially encloses the comb when the cover is in a first closed position and permits a consumer to access the matches in the comb when the cover is in a second open position. The cover has igniting material on the cover on which the matches may be struck and ignited. The matchbooks also have a message sheet providing a substrate on which a message may be imprinted. The message sheet is separably connected to the cover such that the message sheet is separable from the cover. Thus, the message sheet may be removed from a novel matchbook by a consumer without compromising the integrity of the matchbook.

Abstract: Methods for disseminating advertising messages to consumers of fortune cookies are provided for. The methods comprise providing novel inserts constructed in accordance with the subject invention. The novel inserts have imprinted thereon an advertising message which may be viewed by a consumer. Fortune cookies are produced with novel inserts carried therein, and the fortune cookies are distributed to consumer outlets, such as food service establishments, and thence to consumers associated with the consumer outlets.

Abstract: Improved cup containers for products, especially single serve products, are provided for. The novel containers comprise a cup accommodating a product and lidding for the cup. The lidding comprises one or more imprintable substrate sheets which collectively provide a lid section and a message section connected to the lid section. The lid section is sealed to the cup and thereby defines a sealed volume accommodating the product therein. The message section provides a substrate on which a message may be imprinted. The lid section is provided on one of the lidding substrate sheets. The message section is provided either on the same substrate sheet as the lid section or on a separate substrate sheet. Although connected to the lid section, the message section is separable therefrom so that the message, such as an advertising message, may be removed from the container and viewed by a consumer. Preferably, the message section is separable from said lid section without compromising the integrity of the sealed volume.

Abstract: Improved methods of disseminating advertising messages to consumers are provided for. In particular, the subject invention provides for methods for disseminating manufacturer coupons to a target consumer group. The method comprises packaging a product in a pouch container having associated therewith a manufacturer coupon pertaining to products or services other than the packaged product. The packaged product is a single-serve food product. The manufacturer coupon is redeemable by a consumer of the product and a member of a target consumer group. The manufacturer coupon also includes machine readable code associated therewith to facilitate automated processing of the coupon. The packaged product is then packaged in a shipping carton. The shipping carton has a machine readable indicator assigned to the manufacturer coupon. The indicator is read and, in response thereto, the carton with the packaged product is shipped to consumer food service outlets associated with the target consumer group.