Portable toilet unit with advertising
The present disclosure relates to a portable toilet unit including a portable restroom, and advertising media that covers a significant portion of the outer surface area defined by the sides of the portable restroom. The advertising media can be adhered to the portable restroom by removable adhesive.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/646,944, filed Jan. 25, 2005, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe principles disclosed herein relate generally to a method of advertising. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a method of advertising using outdoor signage.
BACKGROUNDAdvertising is a multi-billion dollar business. In the world of marketing, to supplement advertising channels such as the television, the radio, the internet, the newspaper, and billboards, companies are continuously searching for new and creative ways to advertise their products and services to reach as many consumers as possible.
Portable toilet units can be found at almost every high traffic event or area, serving the needs of a large number of people. Portable toilet units come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Portable toilet units are normally rented out or distributed by portable toilet unit companies under a contract for a specified period of time or for a given event. Generally, the portable toilet units found in the market are of a single, uniform color, such as brown or gray to camouflage dirt or soiling, giving them an unpleasing appearance. Once rented, the units are usually placed in a group, making them even more of an eyesore.
What is needed in the field of marketing is a method of advertising that utilizes portable toilet units as an advertising medium given their extensive use and visibility in high traffic events and areas. What is needed is an advertising method that preserves the temporary nature of the portable toilet unit rental business. What is needed is an advertising method that can be implemented universally on a wide variety of differently shaped and sized portable toilet units. What is also needed is an advertising method that improves the overall appearance of portable toilet units to make them more attractive facilities for the public.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure relates to a portable toilet that has been converted into an effective advertising medium.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, a portable toilet is at least partially covered with a panel having advertising indicia printed on one side and a removable adhesive provided on the opposite side. The removable adhesive is designed to leave the outside surface of the portable toilet with little to no residue when the panel is removed.
Examples representative of a variety of inventive aspects are set forth in the description that follows. The inventive aspects relate to individual features as well as combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description merely provide examples of how the inventive aspects may be put into practice, and are not intended to limit the broad spirit and scope of the inventive aspects.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is a system for non-permanently converting the outside surfaces of any portable toilet unit into an advertising medium, regardless of the shape of the portable toilet unit. According to the present invention, a self-adhesive decal or media printed with advertising indicia is applied to the outside surfaces of the portable toilet unit. The media may be removed at the time the portable toilet unit is returned to the rental agency or when the advertising contract expires. The removal process does not result in any remaining adhesive residue or any other physical damage to the unit.
The media is preferably a flexible material, such as vinyl, thin plastic film, fabric, or paper and includes a self-adhesive backing on a first side. A wide variety of media textures are possible, including glossy, semi-gloss, matte, or transparent. A large format plotter or other printing mechanism may be used to print the desired adverting indicia on a second side of the media. In one embodiment, the media is then cut to the shape of the portable toilet unit to be covered. In another embodiment, the uncut media may be affixed to the portable toilet, as described below, and then trimmed to the shape of the portable toilet unit.
Once the advertising indicia is printed on the media and the media has been cut to the desired shape, the media is applied to the portable toilet unit by affixing the first side containing the self-adhesive backing on the surface to be covered. The media may then be smoothed out with an applicator tool. In this way, the portable toilet unit is essentially wrapped with the advertising media. The media can be applied as a single, continuous sheet or can be applied in any number of panels. For example, when covering a rectangular unit, four sheets of media can be printed with advertising material; and one panel can be applied to each side of the unit.
After the media is applied to the surfaces of the portable toilet unit, the media is cut with a sharp blade as needed to allow for the door to open and close freely. Slits may also be cut for ventilation purposes. In one embodiment, when applying the media to handicapped facilities, containing signage indicating such, the portion of the media covering the sign designating the unit handicapped accessible may be cut away. In another embodiment, the media itself may be printed to include a handicap accessible designation.
The media may be removed at anytime, such as when the portable toilet is returned to the rental agency or when the advertising contract expires. This is accomplished by peeling off the media, such as with a scraping tool. The surfaces may then be wiped down with a cleaning solvent, such as window cleaner, as needed. The removal process does not result in any remaining adhesive residue or any other physical damage to the unit, and new media may be applied immediately afterwards.
In sum, the present invention introduces a system for non-permanently converting the outside surfaces of a portable toilet unit into an advertising medium without damaging the portable toilet unit. Because portable toilet units are usually rented and placed in a location for a temporary period of time, it is beneficial that the advertising media applied to its surface be non-permanent. This makes it possible to specifically tailor the advertising indicia to a particular event, such as a beer advertisement for a sporting event. The non-permanent aspect of the system also gives portable toilet unit distribution companies the option of selling an advertising contract for a specified period of time. After the advertising contract has expired, the advertising indicia can be removed and a contract can be entered into with a different company. It is therefore possible to repeatedly change the advertising display without damaging the portable toilet unit.
The present invention also provides a system that allows the outside surfaces of a portable toilet to be converted into an advertising medium, regardless of the brand or shape of the portable toilet unit. A number of companies manufacture portable toilet units in a wide variety of shapes, such as rectangular, cylindrical, and octagonal to name a few. The flexibility of the advertising media used with the present invention makes it possible to apply the system universally to differently shaped portable toilet units with very few alterations.
In addition, the present invention allows the overall appearance of portable toilet units to be more attractive. Generally, the outside surfaces or housing of portable toilet units currently on the market are a single, uniform color, which is often a brown or gray to camouflage dirt and soiling. Once rented, the units are usually placed in a group, which results in a necessary eyesore. The present invention allows the outside surfaces of the units to be covered in advertising material, which is designed to be bright and eye catching. This results in the portable toilet units making a much more attractive display at public events.
Referring still to
In certain embodiments, the sides 22-25 of the restroom 21 can be formed by molded, plastic walls. As shown at
Portable toilet units such as the one illustrated in
In the depicted embodiment, all four of the sides 22-25 are covered with advertising media. In other embodiments, it may be desirable to cover only, one, two or three of the sides. Once again, for each individual side, the advertising media may be sized to cover a majority of the side. In other embodiments, the advertising media may be sized to cover at least 75 percent of the side, or may be sized to cover substantially all of the side. Because the front side of a portable toilet unit is typically most visible, the front side is the most likely side to be covered with advertising media. This is particularly true when portable toilet units are arranged side-by-side in a bank (see
In one embodiment, the advertising is applied to the outer side surfaces of the portable toilet unit 20 by using four separate rectangular panels 51-54 (see
It will be appreciated that excess material 55 from the panels 51-54 can be trimmed either before or after the panels have been applied to the portable toilet unit. In other embodiments, the panels can also be preformed or shaped to fit a certain style or shape of a housing rather than being provided as standard rectangular sheets and trimmed later to shape.
The carrier layer 60 is preferably a flexible film. For example, the carrier layer can be a vinyl film (e.g., polyvinyl chloride), a plastic film (e.g., polycarbonate, polyester), or other types of films. The carrier layer can also include other types of materials such as paper or fabrics. In one embodiment, the carrier layer has a thickness in the range of 0.002-0.005 inches. In another embodiment, the carrier layer has a thickness of 0.003-0.004 inches.
The adhesive backing 63 is preferably a removable, pressure sensitive adhesive. As used herein, the term “removable adhesive” means an adhesive that allows the carrier layer to be peeled from a substrate such as the outer surface of a portable toilet unit while leaving little to no adhesive residue behind on the substrate. Because most or all of the adhesive is removed with the carrier layer, subsequent cleaning of the outer surface (e.g., with solvents) of the portable toilet unit is typically not needed. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive allows the carrier to be peeled from the outer surface of the portable toilet without requiring scraping, without tearing the carrier layer and without damaging the portable toilet.
The advertising media can be applied to the sides 22-25 of the portable toilet 20 by separately adhering panel 51 to front side 22, adhering panel 52 to rear side 23, adhering panel 53 to right side 24 and adhering panel 54 to left side 25. Each panel can be applied by first aligning the panel with its corresponding side, and then peeling back a portion of the removable liner to expose the adhesive backing. The exposed adhesive backing is then pressed against the outer surface of the portable toilet unit to affix the panel to the surface. Once the exposed portion of adhesive backing is adhered, more of the liner is peeled back to expose more adhesive, which is then pressed against the portable toilet unit. This process is continued until the entire panel is adhered to the side of the portable toilet unit. In one embodiment, the panel is initially aligned with the top of the side of the portable toilet unit. An upper portion of the removable liner is then peeled downwardly to expose an upper region of the adhesive backing. The exposed upper region of adhesive backing is then pressed against the portion of the portable toilet unit with which the upper region is aligned. Thereafter, the liner is peeled further downwardly to expose additional adhesive backing, which then is pressed against the portion of the portable toilet unit sidewall with which the panel is aligned. This process is continued from top to bottom until the entire liner has been removed and the panel is adhered to the side of the portable toilet unit from top to bottom. During the installation process, an applicator tool such as a roller can be used to smooth wrinkles, to improve adhesion with the textured outer surface of the portable toilet unit, and to remove air pockets from beneath the panel. The panels may also be trimmed to size either before or after the panels have been adhered to the portable toilet unit. Additionally, to improve adhesion, the outer surface of the portable toilet unit can be cleaned (e.g., with cleaning solution/solvent such as a diluted alcohol cleaner) to remove dirt prior to applying the panels.
For portable toilet units having walls with reinforcing structures such projections and depressions (e.g., channels and ribs), the panels can by adhered to the side walls so as to contact the projections and to bridge or traverse the depressions. In this way, the panels provide a generally planar display surface.
After the panels 51-54 have been affixed to the portable toilet unit 20, portions of the panels can be cut and peeled away from the portable toilet unit to expose underlying structures of the portable toilet unit. For example, portion 70 of the panel 51 can be removed to expose the door handle 33. Also, portion 72 of the panel 51 can be removed to expose the underlying permanent signage 44. For example, the panels can be cut to expose signs such as no smoking signs or handicapped accessible signs. These kinds of signs can also be preprinted as a part of the printed indicia on the front sides of the panels rather than cutting the panels around such signs. Further, portion 74 of the panel 54 can be removed to expose the venting structures 42. The panel 51 can also be cut/slit to prevent the panel 51 from interfering with the opening and closing of the door 30. For example, slits can be made along top edge 34, bottom edge 36 and side edges 38, 40.
In other embodiments, the panels can be made large enough to extend to more than one sidewall of the portable toilet unit.
In
The non-permanent aspect of the adhesive of the panels makes it possible to specifically tailor the advertising indicia to a particular event or a location and remove the advertising when the rental period is over without leaving any permanent residue or damage to the units. Preserving the outer surfaces of the restrooms gives the portable toilet unit distribution companies the option of selling temporary advertising contracts or advertising space on the portable toilet units. The advertising media should be such that the advertising displayed on the outer surfaces of the portable toilet units can be repeatedly changed without damaging the portable toilet units.
Advertising methods in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure allow the previously unused advertising space to be used to support outdoor signage. In practice, signage rights for the advertising space provided at the sides of portable toilet units can be sold for a predetermined time period. An example time period includes the duration of an event at which the portable toilet units will be in used. Another example time period includes the duration of a series of events at which the portable toilet units will be used. A further example time period includes a set contract period (e.g., 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, etc.). Once the advertising space has been sold, advertising media is non-permanently affixed to the outer sides of the portable toilet units, and the advertising media is displayed for the predetermined time period. After the predetermined time period, the advertising media is removed from the portable toilet units. Thereafter, the advertising space on the portable toilet units can be sold for another predetermined time period, and the process is repeated.
In the case where advertising space is sold for a single event, the portable toilet unit rental company can deliver the portable toilet units to the event location. At the event location, the advertising media can be non-permanently applied to the portable toilet units in a manner as described above. The advertising media is then displayed on the portable toilet units for the duration of the event. After the event has ended, the advertising media is removed from the portable toilet units, and the portable toilet units can be moved to a different location (e.g., back to the portable toilet unit rental company or to a new event location). Alternatively, the advertising media can be removed and replaced with new advertising media to be displayed at a subsequent event occurring at the same location.
Certain business methods can allow an advertising media provider to fully develop the advertising potential afforded by portable toilet units. For example, the advertising media provider can acquire from portable toilet unit rental companies the right to display advertising on the outside walls of their toilet units. For example, this right can be leased or otherwise contractually acquired for a predetermined term (e.g., 3 years). Preferably the acquired right is an exclusive right. As part of the contract with the toilet unit rental companies, the rental companies agree to provide the advertising media provider with a list of all the events to which the rental company will be providing toilet units over the contract period.
Once the right to advertise on the outside surfaces of the portable toilet units has been acquired by the advertising media provider, the event holders for the events to be serviced by the portable toilet units are approached by the advertising media provider with different revenue options. For example, the event holders can purchase the right to advertise on the portable toilet units for their event from the advertising media provider, and then sell the advertising space to companies that want to advertise at their event. The rights can be sold on a per panel basis. With this option, the event holders will also typically pay the advertising media provider to provide advertising media having indicia of the advertisers choice, and to install the advertising media on the portable toilet units at the event.
Alternatively, rather than selling advertising space to the event holder and having the event holders re-sell the space to advertisers, the advertising media provider can itself sell the advertising space on a per panel basis to companies that want to advertise at the events. With such an option, a portion of the fees collected by the advertising media provider for the advertising space can be paid to the event holder. The advertising space can be sold to companies either directly or through intermediate advertising brokers that acquire advertising space on behalf of the companies.
With the above-described contractual relationships in place, non-permanent advertising media can be affixed to the portable toilet units by the media provider at each event to which the toilet units are provided. For example, when the toilet units are delivered by the toilet unit rental company to a first event, the advertising media provider can non-permanently apply advertising media to the toilet units. The advertising media is then displayed for the duration of the event, or for at least a portion of the event. Typically, the advertising media provider will prepare (e.g., print or have printed) the advertising media with advertising indicia selected by the advertiser that has paid to use the advertising space. After the event, the advertising media provider removes the advertising media and the portable toilet units are moved by the toilet unit rental company to the next scheduled event. At the next event, the advertising media provider can repeat the process on behalf of another advertiser. This process can be continually repeated for each event for which the portable toilet units have been rented.
The above specification provides examples of how certain inventive aspects may be put into practice. It will be appreciated that the inventive aspects can be practiced in other ways than those specifically shown and described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive aspects.
Claims
1. A portable toilet unit comprising:
- a portable restroom enclosing a toilet; and
- advertising media that covers at least 12:5 percent of a total upright outer surface area defined by the portable restroom, the advertising media being adhered to the portable restroom by removable adhesive.
2. The portable toilet unit of claim 1, wherein the advertising media covers at least 25 percent of a total upright outer surface area defined by the portable restroom.
3. The portable toilet unit of claim 1, wherein the advertising media covers at least 50 percent of a total upright outer surface area defined by the portable restroom.
4. The portable toilet unit of claim 1, wherein the advertising media covers at least 75 percent of a total upright outer surface area defined by the portable restroom.
5. The portable toilet unit of claim 1, the advertising media covers substantially all of a total upright outer surface area defined by the portable restroom.
6. The portable toilet unit of claim 1, wherein the advertising media includes a panel having a height and a width, the width being sized to extend only partially around a perimeter of the portable toilet unit.
7. The portable toilet unit of claim 6, wherein the restroom has a width, and wherein the panel has a width that generally coincides with the width of the first side.
8. The portable toilet unit of claim 1, wherein the restroom has molded plastic walls defining the upright outer surface area, and wherein the outer surface of the first side of the portable toilet unit includes texturing, and wherein the advertising media is adhered over the texturing.
9. The portable toilet unit of claim 1, wherein the advertising media includes a flexible film having an outwardly facing side at which advertising indicia is printed, and an inwardly facing side at which the removable adhesive is located.
10. The portable toilet of claim 9, wherein the removable adhesive covers a majority of the inwardly facing side of the film.
11. The portable toilet of claim 10, wherein the flexible film is plastic or vinyl.
12. The portable toilet of claim 11, wherein the film has a thickness in the range of 0.002-0.005 inches
13. The portable toilet of claim 11, wherein the film has a thickness of 0.003-0.004 inches.
14. A portable toilet unit comprising:
- a generally rectangular portable restroom having a front side, a back side, a left side and a right side; and
- advertising media that covers at least 75 percent of at least one of the sides of the portable restroom, the advertising media being adhered to the portable restroom by removable adhesive.
15. The portable toilet unit of claim 14, wherein the advertising media covers at least 75 percent of the front side of the portable restroom, wherein the front side includes a door, and wherein the advertising media has been cut to allow the door to open and close.
16. The portable toilet unit of claim 14, wherein a roof of the portable restroom is arched, and wherein a top edge of the advertising media is curved to generally match the arch of the roof.
17. The portable toilet unit f of claim 14, wherein the advertising media includes first, second, third and fourth separate panels of film that are respectively adhesively adhered with removable adhesive to the front side, the back side, the left side and the right side of the portable toilet unit, the panels being sized to generally coincide with the sides of the portable toilet unit to which they are adhered.
18. An advertising medium comprising:
- a plurality of generally rectangular portable toilet units positioned side-by-side relative to one another in a row; and
- advertising media adhered to the portable toilet units, the advertising media covering a majority of front or back sides of the portable toilet units so as to define a mural type display.
19. The advertising medium of claim 18, wherein the advertising media defines a single image having portions provided on at least two of the portable toilet units.
20. The advertising medium of claim 19, wherein the single image has portions provided on at least three of the portable toilet units.
21. The advertising medium of claim 18, wherein the mural type display is defined by separate panels adhered to each of the portable toilet units.
22. The advertising medium of claim 18, wherein the mural type display coincides generally with at least three of the portable toilet units in the row.
23. The advertising medium of claim 18, wherein the mural type display coincides generally with all of the portable toilet units in the row.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 22, 2005
Publication Date: Jun 29, 2006
Inventor: James Paar (Forest Lake, MN)
Application Number: 11/275,316
International Classification: A47K 11/04 (20060101);