NZ731859B2 - Hinged greeting cards and gift card holders - Google Patents
Hinged greeting cards and gift card holders Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ731859B2 NZ731859B2 NZ731859A NZ73185917A NZ731859B2 NZ 731859 B2 NZ731859 B2 NZ 731859B2 NZ 731859 A NZ731859 A NZ 731859A NZ 73185917 A NZ73185917 A NZ 73185917A NZ 731859 B2 NZ731859 B2 NZ 731859B2
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- gift card
- card holder
- sleeve
- greeting card
- contained
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 25
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 22
- 210000003128 Head Anatomy 0.000 description 15
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000011111 cardboard Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000003278 mimic Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000011087 paperboard Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000123 paper Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000002930 fur substitute Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000010437 gem Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000006011 modification reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000008259 solid foam Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000251730 Chondrichthyes Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000086550 Dinosauria Species 0.000 description 1
- 210000003746 Feathers Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 241000377209 Unicorn Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005336 cracking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000006261 foam material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002452 interceptive Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003562 lightweight material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001960 triggered Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
- B42D15/00—Printed matter of special format or style not otherwise provided for
- B42D15/02—Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
- B42D15/00—Printed matter of special format or style not otherwise provided for
- B42D15/02—Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets
- B42D15/022—Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets combined with permanently fastened sound-producing or light-emitting means or carrying sound records
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
- B42D15/00—Printed matter of special format or style not otherwise provided for
- B42D15/02—Postcards; Greeting, menu, business or like cards; Letter cards or letter-sheets
- B42D15/04—Foldable or multi-part cards or sheets
- B42D15/045—Multi-part cards or sheets, i.e. combined with detachably mounted articles
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F1/00—Cardboard or like show-cards of foldable or flexible material
- G09F1/04—Folded cards
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F1/00—Cardboard or like show-cards of foldable or flexible material
- G09F1/08—Cardboard or like show-cards of foldable or flexible material wholly or partly imitating the form of an object, e.g. of the article to be advertised
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F1/00—Cardboard or like show-cards of foldable or flexible material
- G09F1/10—Supports or holders for show-cards
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
- H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
- H04R1/02—Casings; Cabinets ; Supports therefor; Mountings therein
- H04R1/028—Casings; Cabinets ; Supports therefor; Mountings therein associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
Abstract
greeting card comprising 2 hinged sections, and a sleeve containing a gift card holder, where on opening the card the sleeve emerges from the card and the card holder from the sleeve
Description
HINGED GREETING CARDS AND GIFT CARD HOLDERS
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/339,888,
filed on May 22, 2016, a copy of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of social expression products and more specifically
this invention is directed to greeting cards and gift card holders having a hinged activation
mechanism for triggering audio playback and other special effects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Interactive gift card holders and greeting cards with a hinged mechanism which provide
fun user interaction and triggers audio playback.
In one embodiment, a gift card holder includes a carrier having a first portion and a
second portion which are attached at a pivot point, a sleeve which is operative to move between a
first position concealed within the carrier and a second position substantially outside of the
carrier, and a gift card holder which is operative to move between a first position concealed
within the sleeve and a second position substantially outside of the sleeve. Moving the first and
second portions of the carrier away from each other about the pivot point moves the sleeve and
the gift card holder from the first position to the second position.
In another embodiment, a greeting card includes a greeting card body comprising an
upper portion and a lower portion, the upper and lower portions being connected at a pivot point
and a sound module which is contained within the greeting card body and is operative to store
and playback at least one audio clip. Partially pivoting the upper portion of the greeting card
body away from or towards the lower portion of the greeting card body triggers the sound module
to play the at least one audio clip.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the HINGED GREETING CARD AND
GIFT CARD HOLDERS of the present invention, in a closed position.
is a perspective view of the HINGED GREETING CARD AND GIFT CARD HOLDER
of in an open position.
is a front view of the internal mechanics of the HINGED GREETING CARD AND GIFT
CARD HOLDER of in a first position.
is a front view of the internal mechanics of the HINGED GREETING CARD AND GIFT
CARD HOLDER of in second position.
is a front view of the electronic components of the HINGED GREETING CARD AND
GIFT CARD HOLDER of
is a cross-sectional view of the HINGED GREETING CARD AND GIFT CARD
HOLDER of from the perspective of arrows 6-6.
is a cross-sectional view of the HINGED GREETING CARD AND GIFT CARD
HOLDER of from the perspective of arrows 7-7.
is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the HINGED GREETING CARD AND
GIFT CARD HOLDER of the present invention, in a first position.
is a perspective view of the HINGED GREETING CARD AND GIFT CARD HOLDER
of in a second position.
is a front view of the internal mechanical and electronic components of the HINGED
GREETING CARD AND GIFT CARD HOLDER of
is a front view of the internal mechanical and electronic components of the HINGED
GREETING CARD AND GIFT CARD HOLDER of
is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the HINGED GREETING CARD AND
GIFT CARD HOLDER of the present invention, in a first position.
is a perspective view of the HINGED GREETING CARD AND GIFT CARD HOLDER
of , in a second position.
is a front view of the mechanical and electronic components of the HINGED
GREETING CARD AND GIFT CARD HOLDER of .
is a front view of the mechanical and electronic components of the HINGED
GREETING CARD AND GIFT CARD HOLDER of .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS
The various embodiments of the present invention include a greeting card or gift card
holder having a portion thereof which hinges or pivots about an axis. When the greeting card or
gift card holder is hinged, or pivoted about the hinge, one or more special effects are triggered.
Special effects may include audio, emergence or ejection of a gift card holder (w/gift card) or gift
card, the appearance of a thought or word bubble, or any other special effect.
In a first embodiment of the present disclosure and related inventions, shown in FIGS. 1
through 5, a gift card holder 100 includes a gift card holder body 10, a sleeve 12, a sliding panel
(with gift card receptacle) 14 and optional gift card 16. The gift card holder body 10 includes
two separate and distinct portions, a left 10A and right 10B side portion, which are connected
using a hinged mechanism 30 such that the two portions 10A, 10B can pivot or hinge with
respect to one another about a pivot point P1. A sleeve 12 is contained between the two portions
10A, 10B of the gift card holder body 10 when the gift card holder body 10 is in a closed position
(shown in and it is revealed upon opening the gift card holder 100 by hinging or pivoting
the two portions 10A, 10B of the gift card holder body 10 away from each other (shown in . Each of the two portions 10A, 10B of the gift card holder body 10 are generally mirror
images of one another and in one embodiment, are intended to represent some type of nut, such
as an acorn. Each portion 10A, 10B of the gif card holder body 10 may be made partially of
foam or other lightweight material, such as cardboard or paperboard. The gift card holder 100
may contain a sheet material on the front and/or rear surface of the gift card holder body 10 and
said sheet material may contain photos, drawings, pictures, text or any type of printing thereon as
well as additional embellishments such as faux fur, feathers, googly eyes, gems, etc. The gift card
holder body 10 may have one or more cavities therein for the concealment and storage of the
sleeve 12, sliding panel (and gift card receptacle) 14, optional gift card 16 and other internal
components of the gift card holder 100 or the gift card holder body 10 may be more like a frame
which surrounds said internal components. The sleeve 12 is contained between and inside the
two portions 10A, 10B of the gift card holder body 10. The sleeve 12 includes a sliding panel
with receptacle or recessed portion therein for insertion and removal of a gift card (also referred
to as the gift card receptacle) 14. The sleeve 12 can move from a first position wherein it is
contained and concealed within the gift card holder body 10, as shown in and a second
position wherein it is substantially outside of the gift card holder body 10, as shown in FIG 2.
The sliding panel (with gift card receptacle) 14 can also move from a first position, wherein it is
contained within the sleeve 12 and a second position wherein it is substantially outside of the
sleeve 12. A sound module may also be contained and concealed within the one or more cavities
contained within the gift card holder body 10. The components of the sound module may be
placed in either side 10A, 10B of the gift card holder body 10A or may be split across both sides
10A, 10B of the gift card holder body 10. The sound module may include, but is not limited to:
an electronic circuit with chip and controller 18, one or more batteries 20 to power the circuit, a
switch 22 which controls activation of the circuit, a memory device having one or more sound
files contained thereon and a speaker 24, as shown in The sound module may include
any component which is required or which facilitates storage and playback of at least one audio
file. The at least one audio file may contain a song, music, spoken word, or any other recordable
sound. The hinge mechanism 30 is located in an upper portion of the gift card holder body 10
between the left 10A and right 10B side portions. The hinge mechanism 30, in one embodiment,
includes a plurality of interconnected levers L1, L2, L3, L4 attached at a plurality of pivot points
P1, P2, P3, P4. As shown in the left 10A and right 10B sides of the gift card holder
body 10 are each attached to a lever L1, L2, the two levers L1 and L2 being connected at a first
pivot point P1. The two levers L1, L2 are also attached to a third L3 and fourth L4 lever about a
second P2 and third P3 pivot point. The third L3 and fourth L4 levers are connected to each
other at a fourth P4 pivot point. The sleeve 12 is moveable between the first position (inside the
gift card holder body 10 – and the second position (outside the gift card holder body 10 –
by movement of the L1 and L2 levers when the two sides 10A, 10B of the gift card
holder body 10 are separated from one another about the first pivot point P1. The sliding panel
14 is moveable between the first position (inside the sleeve 12 – FIGS. 1, 3) and the second
position (outside the sleeve 12 – FIGS. 2, 4) via slidable attachment to an inner panel 32 (at
pivot point P4). The inner panel 32 contains vertical rectangular cutout 34 contained thereon
through which pivot point P4 and inner panel 32 are slidable. As shown in levers L1 and
L2 are overlapping each other with levers L3 and L4 each extending downward therefrom at an
inward angle with pivot point P4 contained at the upper end of the vertical rectangular cutout 34.
In this position, the sleeve 12 and sliding panel 14 are contained within the gift card holder body
. As shown in the two sides 10A, 10B of the gift card holder body 10 are opened or
pulled apart (moved from the first position to the second position), pulling levers L1, L2, L3 and
L4 downward so that pivot point P4 is moved to the lower end of the vertical rectangular cutout
34, thereby causing the sleeve 12 to emerge from within the gift card holder body 10 and also
causing the sliding panel 14 to emerge from the sleeve 12, thereby revealing an optional gift card
16 contained within the sliding panel 14. Moving the left 10A and right 10B side portions of the
gift card holder body 10 away from one another (from the first position to the second position)
about the hinge or pivot point P1 also triggers replay of the one or more audio files contained on
the sound module. A switch 22 is located within the sleeve 12 and removably attached to a
portion of the sliding panel 14. In one embodiment, as shown in the figures, the switch is a
contact switch. As shown in when the gift card holder 100 is in the first position,
wherein the sleeve 12 and the sliding panel 14 are contained within the gift card holder body 10,
a portion of the sliding panel 14 is inserted between two contacts 22A, 22B of the contact switch
22, thereby preventing completion of an electrical circuit which provides power to the sound
module. As shown in when the gift card holder 100 is opened or moved to the second
position by separating the left 10A and right 10B sides of the gift card holder body 10, the
portion of the sliding panel 14 which was inserted between the two contacts 22A, 22B of the
switch 22, is removed, thereby allowing completion of the electrical circuit and providing power
to the sound module. Moving the left 10A and right 10B side portions of the gift card holder
body 10 back together (from the second position back to the first position) causes the sliding
panel 14 to recede into the sleeve 12 and also causing the sleeve 12 to recede into the gift card
holder body 10. It also causes the audio playback to cease (if it has not already played for its
predetermined amount of time). In one embodiment, as shown in the figures, the gift card holder
body 10 is intended to resemble a nut, such as an acorn and moving the two portions 10A, 10B
away from one another about the hinge or pivot point P1 is intended to simulate cracking open a
nut to reveal what is inside.
In a second embodiment of the present disclosure and related inventions, as shown in
FIGS. 12 through 15, a greeting card 200 includes a greeting card body 40 having one or more
cavities or openings contained therein, the greeting card body 40 having at least two distinct or
separate portions 40A, 40B, one of the at least two distinct or separate portions 40A being
capable of hinging or pivoting about a hinge or pivot point with respect to the other portion 40B.
The greeting card body 40, in one embodiment, is partially made of foam F having a planar sheet
material 41 attached to the front and rear surfaces thereof. While foam F is mentioned as a
possible material, other materials such as plastic, paper, paperboard, cardboard, etc., have been
contemplated and may be used in combination with or in place of foam and use of other non-
foam materials are considered to be within the scope of this invention. The planar sheet material
41, in one embodiment, is paperboard, however it may be paper, cardboard, plastic, or any other
such material. The planar sheet material 41 may contain printing thereon including but not
limited to: text sentiment, photos, pictures, drawings, or any other printable material. The planar
sheet material 41 may contain additional embellishments including, but not limited to: glitter,
googly eyes, gems, faux fur, or any other such adornment. In one embodiment, the greeting card
body 40 and planar sheet material 41 are shaped and decorated to depict an animal or character.
Examples include, but are not limited to: a dog, a unicorn, a dinosaur and a shark. A sentiment
panel 42, which is an additional planar sheet may be attached to the planar sheet material 41
attached to the rear surface of the greeting card body 40 (preferably to the second or larger piece
40B representing the animal or character body). The sentiment panel 42 folds away from the rear
planar sheet material 41 to mimic a traditional greeting card. The inside or front surface of the
sentiment panel 42 may contain text sentiment and other printing thereon and may include space
for the sender to include written sentiment and a signature. As mentioned above, the greeting
card body 40 includes two separate and distinct foam pieces 40A, 40B, a first foam piece 40A
(also referred to herein as the “upper” portion or the “head”) which serves as the head of an
animal or character, and a second foam piece 40B (also referred to herein as the “lower” portion
or the “body”) which serves as the body of the animal or character. Generally, the second piece
40B or body is larger in size that the first piece 40A or head, although in other embodiments, this
may be reversed. The planar sheet material 41 is preferably die cut into the shape of the first
(head) 40A and second (body) 40B foam pieces with printing thereon to further represent the
head and body of an animal or character. The first foam piece or head 40A of the animal or
character may be a solid foam piece F which is covered on a front surface with a planar sheet
material 41 which is the front or side view of the head and face of an animal or character. The
second foam piece or body 40B of the animal or character may be a foam piece F having one or
more cavities therein for the storage of the internal components of the greeting card 200 or may
be a frame-like structure surrounding said internal components. The internal components of the
greeting card may include, but are not limited to: a sound module comprising an electronic
circuit with chip and controller 43, one or more batteries 44 to power the circuit, a switch which
controls activation of the circuit, a memory device having at least one sound filed contained
thereon and a speaker 46. The chip, in a preferred embodiment, is an integrated circuit chip
comprising memory with at least one sound file contained thereon; some logic to convert the
digital sound file to a signal that can vibrate the speaker 46 and some timing logic to step through
all of the data on the sound file. The memory part of the circuit holds the sound data in a format
such as .mp3, .wav, or any other such format. In one embodiment, as shown in the figures, the
switch is a pull or slide switch. The upper portion or head 40A of the greeting card 200 is
attached to the lower portion or body 40B of the greeting card 200 via a hinge element 47 which
allows the head portion 40A to be hinged or pivoted about a hinge or pivot point PP with respect
to the body portion 40B. This enables the first or head portion 40A to be partially moved away
from the body portion 40B of the greeting card 200. In one embodiment, the hinge mechanism
47 and pivot point PP are located near an upper left corner of the body portion 40B of the
greeting card 200. A lower left corner of the upper foam portion 40A of the greeting card 200 is
attached to the hinge mechanism so that it can partially pivot away from the lower foam portion
40B of the greeting card 200 when the right side of the upper foam portion 40A is lifted upward
or away from the lower foam portion 40B. The hinge element 47 contains two legs or segments
which are contiguous with and perpendicular to one another. A first segment 47A is horizontally
positioned and a second segment 47B is vertically oriented. The first or horizontal segment 47A
contains the pivot point PP thereon which attaches the head 40A and body 40B portion of the
greeting card 200. The second or vertical segment 47B contains a vertical cutout or slot 50
contained thereon. The vertical cutout or slot 50 accommodates activation of the switch when
the head portion 40A of the greeting card 200 is moved or tilted away from the body portion 40B
of the greeting card. The switch mechanism includes a lever L, a spring-loaded slide element 48.
The slide element 48 is contained within a box B and attached to or inserted into the slot 50 on
the second or vertical segment 47B of the hinge element 47. When the head portion 40A of the
greeting card 200 is moved or tilted away from the body portion 40B of the greeting card 200, the
slide element 48 of the switch moves from a first position (shown in ), inside the box B
and at the top or uppermost edge of the slot 50, to a second position (shown in ), which is
substantially outside of the box B and at the end or lowermost edge of the slot 50. When the
slide element 48 of the switch reaches the end of the slot 50 it depresses a lever portion L of the
switch 48 which completes the electrical circuit thereby triggering the sound module to replay the
audio file through the speaker 46. When the head portion 40A of the greeting card 200 is
released, it snaps back to its original position atop the body portion 40B of the greeting card 200,
which also causes the spring-loaded slide element 48 to return to its original position and
releasing the lever L portion of the switch thereby interrupting the circuit and ceasing playback
of the audio file. The at least one sound file may contain spoken word, music, songs or a portion
thereof, movie clips, or any other recordable sounds. In one embodiment, the audio file contains
26 seconds of audio broken into seven different clips. The audio clips may interrupt each other if
the head 40A is tilted again before reaching completion of the previous clip. In operation, the
greeting card recipient may open the greeting card 200 by moving the sentiment panel 42 away
from the greeting card body 40 to view the text sentiment or other printing thereon and to view
the optional personalized message and signature written by the greeting card sender. The front
face of the greeting card 200 may contain printing or a sticker thereon which instructs the
greeting card recipient to “pull up” or “lift here” on the top portion 40A of the greeting card 200.
Lifting or pulling upward on the head portion 40A of the greeting card 200 causes it to pivot or
hinge about the pivot point PP which removes the spring-loaded slide element 48 of the switch
from the box B thereby moving the lever L from its original position thereby allowing the circuit
to be completed and triggering playback of the at least one audio file from the sound module.
The user may continuously lift or tilt the head portion 40A of the greeting card 200 to hear
additional audio clips and if one audio clip is not played to completion before the head portion
40A of the greeting card 200 is lifted or tilted again, the next audio clip will interrupt the clip that
was being played. Once a user lifts the head or top portion 40A of the greeting card 200 and
releases it, it snaps back to its original position. To initiate another audio clip, the user must
again lift the head portion 40A of the greeting card 200. Lifting or pulling up on the right side of
the head portion 40A of the greeting card 200 also reveals a die cut piece 49, which in one
embodiment is in the shape of a tongue or teeth. When the top or head portion 40A of the
greeting card 200 snaps back to its original position, the die cut piece 49 is again concealed
within the lower or body portion 40B of the greeting card 200. Lifting the head portion 40A
away from the body portion 40B mimics an animal or character opening its mouth, thereby
revealing its tongue and or teeth 49.
In a third embodiment of the present disclosure and related inventions, shown in FIGS. 8
through 11, a greeting card 300 is similar to the greeting card 200 of the second embodiment
(shown in FIGS. 12 through 15), having two separate and distinct foam portions 60A, 60B which
are attached at a hinge or pivot point PP, wherein moving one of the two portions 60A, 60B
about the hinge or pivot point PP initiates playback of at least one audio file. This embodiment
also includes the release or appearance of a die cut shape 62 from within the greeting card body
60 which contains a message or text sentiment (or other printing) thereon. As described above
with respect to the second embodiment, the greeting card 300 contains two separate and distinct
foam pieces, an upper portion (also referred to herein as “top portion” or “upper body”) 60A
which represents the upper body of an animal or character, and a lower portion (also referred to
herein a “bottom portion” or “lower body”) 60B which represents the lower body of an animal or
character. As mentioned above with respect to the second embodiment, this greeting card 300
may also be made of foam F, although other materials have been considered, such as plastic,
paper, paperboard, cardboard, etc. Also, mentioned above with respect to the second
embodiment, each of the upper 60A and lower 60B portions of this greeting card 300 may
contain a planar sheet material 63 attached to the front and rear surfaces thereof. The planar
sheet material 63 is preferably die cut into the shape of the first (head) 60A and second (body)
60B foam pieces with printing thereon to further represent the head and body of an animal or
character. The first foam piece or head 60A of the animal or character may be a solid foam piece
F which is covered on a front surface with a planar sheet material 63 which is the front or side
view of the head and face of an animal or character. The second foam piece or body 60B of the
animal or character may be a foam piece F having one or more cavities therein for the storage of
the internal components of the greeting card 200 or may be a frame-like structure surrounding
said internal components. As noted above, the planar sheet material 63 can contain printing
thereon such as text sentiment, pictures, photos, drawings, etc. In one embodiment, as with the
first embodiment, the planar sheet material 63 attached to the front surface of both the upper 60A
and lower 60B body portions depicts a front or side view of an animal or character. A sentiment
panel 64, which is an additional planar sheet may be attached to the planar sheet material 63
attached to the rear surface of the greeting card body 60 (preferably to the larger piece). The
sentiment panel 64 folds away from the rear planar sheet material 63 to mimic a traditional
greeting card. The inside or front surface of the sentiment panel 64 may contain text sentiment
and other printing thereon and may include space for the sender to include written sentiment and
a signature. The upper 60A and lower 60B body portions of the greeting card 300 are attached
via a hinge mechanism that allows the upper body 60A to tilt or pivot about a hinge or pivot
point with respect to the lower body 60B. A die cut shape 62 is also attached to the hinge
mechanism such that when the upper body 60A is hinged or pivoted with respect to the lower
body 60B, the die cut shape 62 emerges from within the greeting card body 60. The die cut
shape 62, which resembles a thought or word bubble, moves from a first position wherein it is
concealed within the greeting card body 60 and a second position wherein it is substantially
outside of the greeting card body 60. The hinge mechanism of this embodiment is configured
such that the upper body portion 60A of the greeting card 300 hinges forward or towards the
lower body portion 60B of the greeting card 300. The movement mimics the animal or character
bending over in a forward fold. The hinge mechanism of this embodiment contains a single lever
65 that, at one end, is statically attached to the upper body portion 60A of the greeting card 300
and at the opposite end, is attached or inserted into a curved slot 66 contained on the die cut
shape 62. The single lever 65 of the hinge mechanism also hingedly connects the upper 60A and
lower 60B body portions of the greeting card 300 about a pivot point PP. The greeting card 300
moves from a first position, shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, wherein the upper body portion 60A of
the greeting card 300 is directly atop the lower body portion 60B of the greeting card 300 and the
die cut shape 62 is contained and concealed within the greeting card body 60, to a second
position, shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, wherein the upper body portion 60A of the greeting card 300
is hinged or bent forward (to the right) toward the lower body portion 60B of the greeting card
300 and the die cut shape 62 is substantially outside of the greeting card body 60. An electronics
or sound module contained within the greeting card 300 is the same as the sound module
described above with respect to the second embodiment. Movement of the upper body portion
60A of the greeting card 300 causes a lever L from the switch mechanism to press against a
portion of the lower body portion 60B of the greeting card 300 thereby moving the lever L and
causing completion of the electrical circuit and playback of the audio file. Unlike the first
embodiment, this embodiment contains no spring-loaded element so the upper body portion 60A
of the greeting card 300 does not snap back to its original positon upon hinging or pivoting it
with respect to the lower body portion 60B. When the upper body 60A is hinged or pivoted
toward the lower body portion 60B it remains in that position until it is physically moved back to
the original position. In operation, the greeting card recipient may open the greeting card 300 by
moving the sentiment panel 64 away from the greeting card body 60 to view the text sentiment or
other printing thereon and to view the optional personalized message and signature written by the
greeting card sender. The front face of the greeting card 300 may contain printing or a sticker
thereon which instructs the greeting card recipient to “pull down” on the top portion 60A of the
greeting card 300. Pulling downward on the head portion 60A of the greeting card 300 causes it
to pivot or hinge about the pivot point PP which causes the lever L to move from its original
position, completing the electrical circuit and triggering playback of the at least one audio file
from the sound module. The hinging movement also causes a die cut shape 62 to emerge from
the greeting card body 60. The die cut shape 62 is in the form of an idea or word bubble and may
contain text sentiment or other printing thereon. Once a user pulls down on the head portion 60A
of the greeting card 300 the die cut shape emerges and the card stays in the hinged position with
the die cut shape 62 outside of the greeting card body 60. To initiate another audio clip, the user
must first physically move the head portion 60A of the greeting card 300 back to its original
position atop the body portion 60B of the greeting card 300 (also causing the die cut shape 62 to
re-enter the greeting card body 60) and then re-pull the head portion 60A downward toward the
body portion 60B.
The foregoing embodiments of the present invention have been presented for the
purposes of illustration and description. These descriptions and embodiments are not intended to
be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure. The embodiments
were chosen and described in order to best explain the principle of the invention and its practical
applications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in its various
embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
The gift card and greeting card embodiments of the present disclosure and related inventions
have been described with respect to particular embodiments as shown in the figures. However,
alterations and substitutions may be made to these embodiments while remaining within the
scope of this invention. For example, the number of parts of the gift card holder and greeting
cards has been described herein and shown in the figures as being two, however, other numbers
of parts may be used. The shape of the gift card holder and greeting cards and the materials of
which they are made can be changed to other shapes and materials. Also, the direction and type
of movement of the pieces of the gift card holder and greeting cards may be changed. The
number and type of parts in the hinge mechanism may be altered to include more or fewer parts
and the types of parts may be different as well. The number of levers and pivot points in the
hinge mechanism may also be varied to include less or more levers and/or pivot points. While
the position of the various electronic and mechanical components is specified and shown in the
figures as being in a specific location, the various components of the gift card holder and greeting
cards may be in different locations or positions while still remaining within the scope of the
invention. The switches have been described herein and shown in the figures as being a
particular kind of switch, although other switches have been contemplated, such as a slide
switch, a magnetic switch, a light sensitive switch, a touch sensitive switch, and a motion
sensitive switch and are considered to fall within the scope of the invention. It is intended that
the invention be defined by the following claims.
Claims (14)
1. A gift card holder comprising: a carrier having a first portion and a second portion which are attached at a pivot point, the first and second portions each having one or more cavities therein; a sleeve which is operative to move between a first position concealed within the one or more cavities in the first and second portions of the carrier and a second position substantially outside of the carrier; a gift card holder body which is operative to move between a first position concealed within the sleeve and a second position substantially outside of the sleeve; wherein moving the first and second portions of the carrier away from each other about the pivot point moves the sleeve and the gift card holder from the first position to the second position.
2. The gift card holder of claim 1 further comprising a sound module which is operative to store and playback at least one audio file.
3. The gift card holder of claim 2, wherein the sound module is activated upon moving the first and second portions of the carrier away from each other.
4. The gift card holder of claim 1 further comprising a gift card contained within the gift card holder.
5. The gift card holder of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the carrier are mirror images of each other.
6. The gift card holder of claim 1, wherein the sleeve and gift card holder emerge from a bottom portion of the carrier.
7. A gift card holder comprising: a gift card holder body comprising a right side and a left side which are connected by a hinged mechanism; a sleeve with sliding panel contained therein, the sleeve contained between and inside the left and right sides of the gift card holder body; the sliding panel containing a receptacle therein for the insertion of a gift card therein; wherein moving the right and left sides away from each other causes the sleeve to be revealed and the sliding panel to emerge from within the sleeve.
8. The gift card holder of claim 7 further comprising a sound module operative to store and playback at least one audio file.
9. The gift card holder of claim 8, wherein the sound module is contained within the right and/or left side of the gift card holder body.
10. A gift card holder comprising: a gift card holder body comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being separate and distinct from each other and having at least one cavity contained therein; the first and second portions of the gift card holder body being attached to one another about a hinged joint which allows the first and second portions to at last partially pivot with respect to one another; a gift card receptacle contained between and within the at least one cavity in both the first and second portion of the gift card holder body; the gift card receptacle operative to move between a first position wherein it is fully contained within the gift card holder body and a second position wherein it is substantially outside the gift card holder body.
11. The gift card holder of claim 10 further comprising a sound module operative to store and playback at least one audio file.
12. The gift card holder of claim 11, wherein the sound module initiates playback of the at least one audio file upon moving the first and second portions of the gift card holder body away from each other about the hinged joint.
13. The gift card holder of claim 11, wherein the sound module is contained within the first or second portion of the gift card holder body.
14. The gift card holder of claim 11, wherein the sound module is contained partially within the first portion of the gift card holder body and partially within the second portion of the gift card holder body.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201662339888P | 2016-05-22 | 2016-05-22 | |
US62/339,888 | 2016-05-22 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ731859A NZ731859A (en) | 2021-03-26 |
NZ731859B2 true NZ731859B2 (en) | 2021-06-29 |
Family
ID=
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