Self erecting advertising and/or fundraising box and method

Abstract

A method for advertising on a self erecting advertising box comprising providing a cardboard blank having an inner paper layer, an outer roll stock layer and a paper flute extending between and joined to the inner paper layer and outer roll stock layer. The method includes selling space for placing advertisement content on the self erecting fundraising box for a fee, and applying the advertisement content to the outer roll stock layer by a flexographic printing process. The blank is folded into the self erecting advertising box and is supplied to a retail store. The self erecting advertising box is available to a consumer at the point of sale for free or for a nominal fee, with the cost of the self erecting advertising box being offset by the funds generated by selling the advertisement content.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/677,163, filed May 3, 2005, to McDaniel et al., for a Self Erecting Advertising and/or Fundraising Box and Method.

BACKGROUND

Today, many large vendors and retail stores offer consumers goods, for example, food products that are sold in bulk. Such mass merchandise outlets are quite popular. One of the advantages of buying products in bulk is that the consumer pays a decreased overall cost for the products. In addition, many of these stores do not provide the consumer with grocery bags, which also advantageously decreases the overall cost of the products to the consumer.

The failure to place goods and products in bags, however, has a number of drawbacks. For instance, the consumer has to manually remove each good from his or her shopping cart and place it in his or her vehicle. This task can be very unpleasant, especially if it is raining, or if it is extremely cold. Another problem is that after the goods and products are placed in the vehicle they are free to roll and move about the interior of the vehicle while the vehicle is being driven. This can damage the goods and products, and can cause problematic distractions. Another problem is that when the goods are being unpacked from the vehicle, the purchaser or consumer has no convenient way to bring them inside his or her residence.

What is needed is a solution to these problems that does not result in additional costs being passed along to the retailer or to consumer.

SUMMARY

The invention includes a self erecting box having advertising and/or fundraising content provided for on its exterior surface, interior surface or both. In addition, advertising materials, for example, coupons and samples, can be adhered to the external and/or internal surfaces of the self erecting advertising box.

The self erecting advertising box is stamped from a cardboard sheet to form a cardboard blank having a first end panel that is joined to a first base support panel, and the first base support panel is joined to a first adhesive panel. The first end panel is joined to a first side panel that is joined to a major base panel, and the first side panel is joined to a second end panel. The second end panel is joined to a second base support panel, and the second base support panel is joined to a second adhesive panel. The second end panel is joined to a second side panel that is joined with a minor base panel. An attachment panel is joined to the second side panel. An adhesive is applied to the attachment panel joined to the second side panel and the panels are folded together, and adhesive is applied to each of the first and second adhesive panels, such that the box formed can be repeatedly moved between collapsed and erect conditions.

The present invention makes use of the concept of self erecting boxes, an example of which is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,126,266 to Roccaforte, for a self erecting soap scoop and blank for same.

In the present invention, the cardboard sheet from which the cardboard blank is stamped is made by a process that makes use of “preprint” in which the advertising content is printed on quality printed paper roll stock on flexographic presses (not shown) before the self erecting box is made. The print is advantageously very clear and can have a full array of colors. The printed paper roll stock having the advertising content printed thereon is then shipped to a box manufacturing plant (not shown.) At the box plant, the sheet of cardboard is formed to have an inner paper layer having an interior surface, an outer roll stock layer having an exterior surface of high quality paper having advertising content, with a flute made of paper extending between and joining the inner paper layer to the outer roll stock layer. The advertising content appears on the exterior surface of the self erecting advertising box when the blank is folded. It is pointed out that the above-described advertising content could be fundraising content.

There is also a method of fundraising and advertising comprising providing a self erecting box having exterior surfaces. The method includes selling advertising space on the box to sponsors or buyers, followed by printing the sponsor's advertising on the exterior surface of the self erecting box. The next step entails selling the self erecting boxes to consumers at a point of sale so that the consumer can use the self erecting box to transport goods and products purchased. The method can further include providing promotional materials and attaching them to the interior and/or the exterior surface of the self erecting box. The method includes the step of using the funds generated by selling the advertising to the sponsors to offset the cost to the consumer so that the consumer can get the self erecting box for free or a nominal fee at the point of sale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

At the outset, it noted that like reference numbers are intended to identify the same structure, portions, or surfaces consistently throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the blank from which the self erecting advertising box is made showing the interior surface thereof.

FIG. 1A is a rear elevational view of the blank from which the self erecting advertising box is made showing the exterior surface thereof.

FIG. 1B is a right end elevational view of the blank shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the self erecting advertising box.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the self erecting advertising box.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the self erecting advertising box when in a partly collapsed condition.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the self erecting advertising box in the erect state.

FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of the self erecting advertising box in the erect state.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the self erecting fundraising box in the erect state.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a self erecting lid in a collapsed condition.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the self erecting lid in a partly open position.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the self erecting lid positioned on the self erecting advertising box.

SPECIFICATION

The self erecting advertising box 20 (hereinafter box 20) invention advantageously provides for a way to transport and store “loose” products and goods 24 (as shown in FIGS. 6-6A) that are sold in mass merchandise outlets (not shown). The loose goods 24 are those goods 24 that are taken off the store shelves, pallet displays, racks and the like, and placed in the consumer's shopping cart. In an attempt to reduce costs, mass merchandise outlets, for example “club stores”, often do not provide the consumer with a bag for the loose goods 24 purchased. “club stores” are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. In an attempt to solve this problem, the workers at the mass merchandise outlet will open boxes that new product and goods are shipped in, empty the boxes, and then put the used boxes in a pile, and the consumer can take one of these used boxes to transport his or her goods. The problem is that these used boxes often have odd shapes, odd cuts, lack handle cutouts, and are too weak to support loads, and may have been damaged by workers at the mass merchandise outlet. In addition, the used boxes were never designed to be opened and then used again. The mass retailer may also provide lightweight bags, and these too have drawbacks, such as not being reliable or durable.

Turning now to FIG. 1, shown therein is the stamped cardboard blank 22 that was stamped from a sheet, and which can be folded into the self erecting advertising box 20. The interior surface 23 of the blank 22 is shown in FIG. 1. The blank 22 also has an opposed exterior surface 70, as shown in FIGS. 1B, 2 and 3. The stamped blank 22 has a first end panel 26 having a finger or hand opening 28. The first end panel 26 is joined to a first base support panel 30 along a first fold line 31. Joined to the first base support panel 30 along a second fold line 33 is a first adhesive panel 34.

The first end panel 26 is joined to a first side panel 36 along a third fold line 35. The first side panel 36 is joined to a major base panel 38 along fourth fold line 37. The first side panel 36 is also joined to second end panel 40 along a fifth fold line 39, and the second end panel 40 has a second hand or finger opening 28a. The first and second hand or finger openings 28, 28a, respectively, are for receiving a users hands or fingers in a manner to be described presently.

The second end panel 40 is joined to a second base support panel 42 along a sixth fold line 41, and the second support panel 40 is joined to a second adhesive panel 44 along a seventh fold line 43.

The second end panel 40 is joined to a second side panel 48 along an eighth fold line 45. A minor base panel 50 is joined to the second side panel 48 along a ninth a fold line 47. In addition, an attachment panel 52 is joined to the second side panel 48 along a tenth fold line 49. In another embodiment, the attachment panel could be joined to the first end panel 26 along a fold line (not shown).

The above described pattern shown in FIG. 1 is die cut into the cardboard sheet to thus form the blank 22. In addition, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth fold lines 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 and 49, respectively, are all stamped into the blank 22.

The above-described blank 22 is folded to form the self erecting box 20 in the following manner. The first end panel 26 is folded along fold line 35 in a direction toward the first side panel 36. The first side panel 36 is folded along fold line 39 in a direction toward the second end panel 40, and the second end panel 40 is folded along fold line 45 in a direction toward the first end panel 26, such that attachment panel 52 is adjacent to an edge 60 of the first end panel 26. A glue or other adhesive 59 is applied to the attachment panel 52, and panel 52 is folded around the exterior surface 70 of the first end panel 26. In another embodiment, the exterior surface of the attachment panel 52 can be coated in adhesive, such that after folding the attachment panel 52 is joined to the interior surface 23 of the first panel 26. After gluing a generally rectangular shaped box structure is formed.

Next, an adhesive or glue 59 is applied to the first and second adhesive panels 34, 44, respectively. Then the major base panel 38 is folded inward in a direction toward the first side panel 36, and the minor base panel 50 is folded inwardly in a direction toward the second side panel 48. As shown in the top plan view in FIG. 2 and bottom plan view in FIG. 3, the first and second base support panels 30, 44, respectively, are then folded inwardly, such that the first adhesive panel 34 contacts and adheres to the major base panel 38, and the second adhesive panel 44 contacts and adheres to the minor base panel 50.

After the above described folding and adhering, a self erecting advertising box 20 having a base 55 as shown in FIG. 3, and having an opening 89 and an edge 87 that extends around the periphery of the opening 89 as shown in FIG. 5. The self erecting adverting box 20 can be advantageously shipped flat. In particular, the self erecting advertising box 20 collapses inwardly when a first force, designated F1 in FIG. 3, is applied a first corner 72 of the self erecting advertising box 20, and a second opposed force, designate F2 in FIG. 3, is applied to a second corner 74 of the self erecting advertising box 20. The major and minor panels 38, 50, respectively, fold inwardly as the self erecting advertising box collapses inwardly. Thus, the self erecting advertising box 20 can be collapsed such that it becomes flat, as shown in FIG. 4. It can be readily shipped in bundles or stacks (not shown). Then, the self erecting advertising box 20 can be erected by merely taking the collapsed self erecting advertising box 20 and manually applying pressure to the major and minor base panels, 38, 50, respectively, or applying forces opposite those described above in connection with collapsing the self erecting fundraising box 20a. The self erecting advertising box 20 can be repeatedly moved between the collapsed and erect states. In the erect state, the self erecting advertising box 20 can support, for example, 60 lbs. (sixty pounds) of goods and products 24. The die cut openings 28, 28a formed in the first and second end walls 26, 40, respectively, facilitate the convenient and safe lifting when the self erecting advertising box 20 is loaded with goods and products 24. This is very different from the used, damaged, structurally weak boxes commonly available in mass merchandise stores, which have no such carrying feature, but can have “windows” or cut-outs to display the merchandise, and must be carried awkwardly from the bottom.

Thus, a corrugated, high-strength, water-resistant, reusable carryout self erecting advertising box 20 is provided for the secure and safe transporting of goods up at least 60 lbs. (pounds) from the checkout stand to one's personal or commercial vehicle, and then to homes or businesses. It is pointed out that after use the self erecting advertising box 20 can advantageously be returned to a knock-down or collapsed condition shown in FIG. 4 for future shopping trips, storage, or disposal.

In addition, it is noted in other embodiments the blank 22 may be otherwise die cut such that a self erecting box can be formed.

As will be described presently, the invention advantageously incorporates the printing flexibility of high-speed flexographic presses (not shown) and printing plates (not shown) having advertising content 100 and digital pre-press technologies, that allow for quick and efficient changeover from one design (combination of sponsors' ads) to another design, facilitating the ability to customize the advertising and promotional material to be applied to the blank 22 down to small runs for local markets. High-speed flexographic presses and printing plates and digital press technologies are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. Lead times are thus advantageously shortened by use of these well known technologies.

The exterior surfaces 70 on each of the first and second end walls, 26, 40, respectively, and the first and second side walls 36, 48, respectively, are, in one of the preferred embodiments, covered with full color, process-print advertisement content 100. This allows for reproduction quality comparable to color ads in magazines and other printed media to be provided for on the exterior surface 70 of the box 20.

To accomplish this, the cardboard sheet from which the cardboard blank 22 is stamped is made by a process that makes use of “preprint” in which the advertising content 100 is printed on quality paper roll stock on flexographic web presses (not shown) before the self erecting box is made 20. As previously mentioned, flexographic presses are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. The print includes advertising content 100, fundraising content 100a, or both, and is advantageously clear, that is, it is not blurred or smudged, and is easy to read, and can have a full array of colors. The printed paper roll stock having the advertising content 100 printed thereon is then shipped to a box manufacturing plant (not shown). At the box manufacturing plant the paper roll stock having the advertising content 100 becomes the outer roll stock layer 68 of paper on a single or double-wall corrugated box.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the blank 22 that is folded into the self erecting fundraising box 20 has an inner paper layer 21 that has an interior surface 23 and an opposed first flute surface 23a. The blank 22 also has an outer roll stock layer 68 made of high quality paper that has exterior surface 70 on which is printed the advertising content 100. The roll stock layer 68 has an opposed flute surface 70a. A flute 75 made of corrugated paper extends between and joins the first and second flute surfaces 23a, 70a, respectively, to form the blank 22 that is folded into the self erecting advertising box 20.

FIGS. 1A and 4 show advertising content 100 disposed on the exterior surface 70 of the self erecting advertising box 20. It is pointed out that the outer roll stock layer 68 has the advertising content 100 that was applied to it in the flexographic web presses, as described above. Thus, the finished self erecting advertising box 20 has advertising content 100 disposed thereon that is of higher quality than the print that currently appears on standard cardboard boxes, which is typically limited to unattractive, undefined, hard to read smudged black print. This is also advantageously better than the common plain brown or white boxes, which are sometimes printed with relatively low quality printed information after the box linerboard is constructed in the corrugation plant.

In one of the preferred embodiments, the self erecting advertising box 20 advantageously has advertising and/or other promotional information content 100 printed on its exterior surface 70. In particular, the paper roll stock that became the exterior surface 70 is covered with high quality clear printed advertising content or advertisements 100, as shown in FIG. 1A. In addition, advertisements 100 can be otherwise attached or adhered to the self erecting advertising box 20 as will be described presently. The cost of the self erecting advertising boxes 20 to the retailer is advantageously mitigated via the sale to at least one advertiser of one or multiple paid commercial advertisements on the exterior of the self erecting advertising box 20. In particular, space to print the advertisement content 100 on the self erecting advertising box 20 is sold for a fee to the advertiser, and this advantageously mitigates the cost of the self erecting advertising box 20 to the retailer, because part, if not all, of the cost of the self erecting advertising box 20 is paid by the advertiser. In addition, costs to the retailer can be mitigated charging a fee to advertiser in return for adhering or joining coupons, informational booklets, recipes, rebates, samples, catalogues, etc. to the exterior surface 70 and/or interior surface 23 prior to shipment of the self erecting advertising boxes to the retailer. In instances this sponsorship method can cover the entire cost of the self erecting advertising box 20, resulting in no cost to the consumer or a nominal cost to the consumer that is below the manufacturing cost of the box.

In another preferred embodiment, the box described above can be used as a self erecting fundraising box 20a, as shown in FIG. 6A, and can be used for charitable fund-raising purposes. The consumer at the checkout sees the self erecting fundraising box 20a, and the fundraising content 100a printed on the exterior of the self erecting fundraising box 20a. The consumer's ‘donation’, i.e. the price of the self erecting advertising box 20, goes partly or entirely to charitable causes, because the cost of the self erecting fundraising box 20a is paid by the corporate and/or other sponsors on a national, regional, or local level. As contrasted with existing fund-raising ‘products’, the self erecting fundraising box 20a permits multiple corporate and/or brand sponsorships, and advantageously encourages much broader individual contributor participation because of the high and almost universal utility of the self erecting advertising box 20 for personal or business transportation or storage, thus providing a new and beneficial use to society.

In addition, the nature of the self erecting fundraising box 20a enables the store checkout clerk (not shown) to simply ask the consumer “would you like a box?”, as opposed to “would you like to contribute ‘x’ to ‘charity y’ today?” This will encourage broader, more enthusiastic participation by the clerks and other retail personnel, many of whom are uncomfortable in an offensive pressure ‘selling’ role at the checkout counter. It is pointed out that the self erecting fundraising box 20a can also include coupons, brochures, recipes, rebates, informational booklets, samples, catalogues, educational pamphlets and product samples, in the same manner as described above, and as shown in FIG. 6A to mitigate costs to the retailer, and/or increase the percentage of revenues that go directly to the charity or charities.

The printing system used on the boxes advantageously permits high quality process-print graphics and multiple advertisements 100 using color photography and other color art, and provides the flexibility to do numerous copy changes at the regional and local levels, all the way down to individual store/zip code areas, as is currently done in the direct mail industry. This technology is generally not available, or not commonly used, in the corrugated segment of the packaging industry due to its high cost.

Another of the advantages of the self erecting advertising box 20 is that is solves the mass retailer's problem of providing a secure and reusable transport and storage system for goods 24 commonly purchased in mass merchandise outlets, while also providing a highly cost-effective advertising medium for marketers that desire to target the customers of those outlets. The revenue generated by multiple advertisers, in combination with the unique functional attributes of the invention, thus advantageously removes the current obstacles to the use of such products, including the significant costs to the retailer, the significant cost if a single ‘advertising sponsor’ attempted to provide the product, the difficulty of assembling such a box via tape or other methods, and the difficulty in achieving multiple uses (and therefore multiple advertising ‘exposures’) with any ordinary box that is neither collapsible, self-erecting, nor water-resistant.

In addition, a waterproof formula 101, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, can be applied to the blank 22 used to make the self erecting advertising box 20 during the printing process, which repels moisture and provides a longer-lasting, multiple trip, self erecting advertising box 20, that is easily re-used by the consumer. Water proof formulas and coatings 101 are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art.

More advantages are that the self erecting advertising box 20 collapses as easily as it erects, further facilitating reuse via easy storage and transportation back and forth to the retailer. The self erecting advertising box 20 can be variously embodied for each retailer so that it can fit the shopping carts with a minimum of wasted space, and to allow double stacking of the self erecting advertising box 20 boxes 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5-6, the self erecting fundraising box 20 can also have a glue strip or adhesive strip 90 which stays permanently ‘tacky’ or adhesive, that can be affixed to the interior surface 23 and/or exterior surface 70 of the self erecting advertising box 20 at a glue station positioned in the manufacturing line (not shown) that produces the blank 22. Glue stations in assembly lines well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. This advantageously allows for the semi-permanent positioning and attachment of envelopes 102a filled with advertising materials 102, which includes coupons, rebates, as well as direct mail type catalogues, brochures, educational pamphlets, product samples, and the like, as shown in FIGS. 1, 1A, and 5-6 to both the interior surface 23 and exterior surface 70 of the self erecting advertising box 20. The glue 90 has the capability to secure these materials to the self erecting advertising box 20 until they are removed by the consumer, at which time the materials are easily removed without damage to said affixed materials. Such glues and adhesives 90 are well known to those having ordinary skill in the art.

In another preferred embodiment, the glue or adhesive strip 90 is covered by a removable tear strip or cover 92, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A. This cover 92 can be advantageously removed in the retail store so that the advertising or other materials may be hand-affixed to the glue strip 90 at that time. In addition, the cover 92 advantageously prevents any possible sticking together of the first, second, third and fourth panels, 26, 36, 40, and 48, respectively, that might hinder the self erect capability of the self erecting advertising box 20.

In another embodiment, the self erecting advertising box 20 is die-cut on at least one side to create four or more placement tabs 96 to hold the same types of advertising and promotional materials 97, samples, etc, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 6.

Thus, the self erecting advertising box 20 advantageously has the above-described advertising, which is attractive because outer roll stock layer 68 has images that are flexographically printed, and because the advertising content 100 defrays the cost to the retailer and/or consumer of the self erecting advertising box 20. The self erecting advertising box 20 can thus be provided to the consumer at the point of sale at no cost or for a nominal cost.

An additional embodiment of the invention includes a self erecting lid 110 as shown in FIGS. 7-9. The self erecting lid 110 has a opposed first and second sides 112, 114, respectively, and opposed third and fourth sides 116, 118, respectively, each of which joins with a planar portion 120. Corner flaps, commonly designated 122, extend between and joined to the first side 112 and fourth side 118, and first side 112 and third side 116, and between the second side 114 and the fourth side 118, and between the second side 114 and third side 116. The self erecting lid 110 tends to spring open, because of the force exerted by the corner flaps 122, and the self erecting lid 110 is preferably coated with waterproof formula 111 so that the consumer can reuse it many times. In addition, the self erecting lid 110 advantageously provides the additional benefits of a reusable self erecting box 20 for any type of household goods, as well as protection from the elements when transporting goods 24 from the retailer to the home or business. In addition, the lid can have advertising content 100 as described above in connection with the self erecting advertising box 20, and as shown in FIG. 9.

Another advantage of the self erecting advertising box 20 is that it is reusable and can be used for storage purposes. Another advantage is that the advertiser obtains the benefit of multiple advertising exposures each time the consumer sees the self erecting advertising box 20 in his or her car, garage, the pantry, storage closet, picnics, camping trips, sports outings, etc. This is a better way to advertise than broadcast media, magazines, newspapers, and other media, where each viewer only rarely would see the same ad more than once, unless the advertiser airs or prints it multiple times in multiple media. The self erecting advertising box 20 is also advantageously more useful than other printed box items, for example, pizza boxes, where the container is immediately disposed of, and has no other functional use other than the single use for which it is intended, namely, holding a pizza.

Yet another advantage of the self erecting advertising box 20 is that it provides for secondary advertising exposures among other viewers, such as other shoppers, other family members, friends, co-workers, etc. These additional or secondary exposures are commonly measured or estimated in the valuation of various advertising media by advertising agencies and media buyers, which increases the utility of the self erecting advertising box 20.

In another embodiment, the box does not need to be self erecting, and a standard non-erecting box could be covered with advertising content 100 in the above-described manner, and have coupons, brochures, recipes, rebates, informational booklets, samples, catalogues, educational pamphlets and product samples, in the same manner as described above. In addition, the self erecting advertising box 20 could be otherwise embodied.

While the self erecting advertising box 20 has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover such modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the self erecting advertising box 20 as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of advertising comprising:

providing an outer roll stock layer,

providing a flexographic plate having advertisement content,

printing the flexographic advertisement content onto the outer roll stock layer,

drying the flexographic advertisement content,

providing an inner paper layer and providing a paper flute and positioning the paper flute between the inner paper layer and the outer roll stock layer and joining the paper flute to the inner layer and outer roll stock layer,

folding the joined inner paper layer, paper flute and outer roll stock layer into a self erecting advertising box for use in a store that can repeatedly move from an erect state to a collapsed state, such that the outer roll stock layer forms an exterior surface of the self erecting fundraising box and the inner paper layer forms an interior surface of the self erecting advertising box, and

supplying the self erecting advertising box to the store in the collapsed state and opening the self erecting advertising box such that the advertising content is displayed.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising selling the advertisement content for a fee.

3. The method according to claim 2 further including setting the fee such that the fee covers the cost of the self erecting advertising box so the self erecting advertising box can be provided to consumers at a point of sale for free.

4. The method according to claim 2 further including setting the fee such that the fee covers most of the fee of producing the self erecting advertising box such that the self erecting advertising box can be provided to consumers at a point of sale for a nominal fee that is below a manufacturing cost of the self erecting advertising box.

5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising applying a waterproof coating to the outer roll stock layer.

6. The method according to claim 1 further comprising providing the self erecting fundraising box at the point of sale and wherein the self erecting advertising box provides for secondary advertising after the point of sale.

7. The method according to claim 1 further comprising applying an adhesive to the interior surface and the exterior surface and adhering advertising materials to the adhesive.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the advertising materials include at least one of the following: coupons, brochures, recipes, rebates, informational booklets, samples, catalogues, educational pamphlets and product samples.

9. The method according to claim 7 wherein the advertising materials include coupons, brochures, recipes, rebates, informational booklets, samples, catalogues, educational pamphlets and product samples.

10. The method according to claim 1 further comprising providing a lid having flexograpically printed advertising content and sized to fit on the self erecting fundraising box.

11. An advertising system comprising:

a self erecting box for use in a store comprising a cardboard blank having an inner paper layer, an outer roll stock layer and a paper flute extending between and joined to the inner paper layer and outer roll stock layer,

advertisement content applied to the outer roll stock layer by a flexographic printing process,

the blank folded such that the outer roll stock layer is an exterior surface of the self erecting box and the inner paper layer forms an interior surface of the self erecting box,

and wherein the self erecting box is supplied to the store in the collapsed state.

12. The advertising system according to claim 11 further wherein the advertising content is sold for a fee.

13. The advertising system according to claim 12 wherein the fee offsets a cost of the self erecting advertising box such that the self erecting adverting box can be provided at a point of sale for a nominal fee.

14. The advertising system according to claim 13 wherein the fee is sufficient to offset all the costs of the self erecting advertising box such that it can be provided at a point of sale for free.

15. The advertising system according to claim 11 further comprising applying an adhesive to at least one of the interior and exterior surfaces and adhering advertising materials to the adhesive and charging a fee for adhering the advertising materials to the at least one of the interior and exterior surfaces such that to offset the cost of the self erecting advertising box to the store.

16. A method of fundraising comprising:

providing a self erecting fundraising box and providing a cardboard blank having an inner paper layer, an outer roll stock layer and a paper flute extending between and joined to the inner paper layer and outer roll stock layer,

providing a flexographic plate having fundraising content,

applying the flexographic fundraising content to the outer roll stock layer,

drying the flexographic fundraising content,

folding the blank into a self erecting fundraising box that can repeatedly go from a collapsed state to an erect state for use in a store, such that the outer roll stock layer forms an exterior surface of the self erecting box and the inner paper layer forms an interior surface of the self erecting box,

supplying the self erecting fundraising box to the store in the collapsed state,

having the cost of the self erecting advertising box paid by sponsors,

providing the self erecting fundraising box at the point of sale such that it is purchased for a fee and wherein the fee is directed to a charity named in the fundraising content printed on the self erecting fundraising box.