Abstract:
A holder for receiving a transaction card, such as a gift card, within a folded, multi-panel assembly that can be fixed in a closed disposition and which contains held within a notepad comprising a pad of multiple sheets of paper. In certain embodiments, the holder includes a main panel, a top flap, and a bottom flap, the top and bottom flaps cooperating to fold upon one another to close the holder and secure a notepad and gift card held within.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of prior-filed, co-pending provisional application, Ser. No. 61/ 576,593, filed Dec. 16, 2011, incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to transaction card holders and more particularly to a card holder for holding a transaction card, such as a gift card, within a folded assembly that also contains a pad of multiple sheets of paper or the like. 
         [0003]    Transaction cards, stored value cards, or gift cards, as they are commonly called based upon their intended use, have become popular gifts. Gift cards typically comprise a stored value card whereby a certain cash equivalent value is encoded upon a magnetic strip applied to the surface of the card. This stored value may be determined by the vendor prior to packaging and display for sale or may be selected at the point of sale by the purchaser and loaded by the cashier using a magnetic card reader/writer. As an alternative to a magnetic strip, a transaction card may use a bar code to link the card to an account by which the associated value is stored in a computer database. While popular, gift cards are typically provided with a generic and impersonal design, typically identifying the associated merchant for which the card may be used to purchase merchandise, and therefore are not personalized in view of the intended recipient. In addition, a gift card typically conveys no immediate benefit or utility to the gift recipient at the time of receipt. Gift card holders of the present invention therefore augment the gift of a transaction card by providing a surface for displaying decorations, images, messages, etc., as well as a useful notepad that can be used and enjoyed immediately by the gift recipient. 
         [0004]    Gift cards are often presented for sale on display racks in stores, each card or packet of cards being hung upon a display stand peg. A given area of a store will typically only support a certain number and size of display stands, given store traffic and other considerations, which makes allocation of display space an important marketing decision that may require selecting only certain high selling cards for display. Display of other items in the same store area will typically reduce the substantially finite space available for displaying gift cards and gift card packets. 
         [0005]    In addition to the above considerations, gift card packets typically must fit within a set, allocated space in pre-existing displays. A gift card packet typically must not exceed 5.25″ tall and 4″ wide. These dimensions are an industry standard and are typically non-negotiable. In order to properly hang each gift card packet, the packet typically includes a J-hook hole (sombrero cut) with the exact dimensions of 1.875″ wide by 0.5″ high and be placed 0.1875″ from the top of the packet. Presently, the above requirements pertain to approximately 95% of all gift cards and gift card packets that are sold at retail. 
         [0006]    It should be appreciated that the terms “gift card” and “transaction card” are used interchangeably herein, the term “gift card” conveying a common but not requisite use of a transaction card as a gift item. The terms “typically”, “generally”, “essentially” and “substantially” may be used when describing embodiments of the invention disclosed herein and convey that a structure or function may occur in one more embodiments, but not necessarily in every embodiment, and that the scope of the invention is not limited by such disclosure. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The purpose of this invention is to provide a card holder for holding a transaction card, such as a gift card, within a folded assembly for presentation to a gift recipient. The holder also contains and provides a notebook or notepad typically comprising a pad of multiple sheets of paper or the like that augments the perceived value and utility of the transaction card and card holder assembly. An embodiment of the card holder may include a main panel, a first or bottom flap extending downward from the main panel, a second or top flap extending upward from the main panel, means for retaining the top flap and the bottom flap in a closed disposition, a pad of paper or notepad attached to a surface of the holder, typically to the main panel, and means for removably attaching a transaction card to the holder, such as slits for receiving the edges of the card. 
         [0008]    An embodiment of a holder in accordance with the invention may include a main panel, a plurality of sheets of paper (or like material for receiving writing) stacked upon one another (e.g. a notepad) and attached to the main panel. Typically, a notepad is attached to a front surface of the main panel. A first flap extends from a margin of the main panel and includes one or more slits or removable adhesive or other means for attaching a transaction card thereto. A second flap extends from a margin of the main panel, typically from the margin opposing the margin from which the first flap extends. The holder includes means for retaining the first and second flaps in a closed position to enclose the notepad between the main panel, to which the notepad is attached, and the flaps, which fold upon one another to overlie the notepad. The first flap includes a means for securing the second flap thereto, such as a slit in the first flap for receiving an edge of the second flap when the first and second flaps are in closed positions. A hang tag may extend from holder, typically from the main panel but alternatively from one of the flaps. The hang tag is separable from the holder along a line of perforations. After purchase of the holder, the portion of the hang tag extending beyond the margins of the holder (typically, beyond the margins of the main panel) may be torn off along these perforations. A means for attaching a transaction card to the first flap may comprise one or more slits in the flap for receiving one or more edges of the transaction card. In certain embodiments of the holder, the first flap comprises two subpanels attached to one another in an overlying position to form a double wall. 
         [0009]    Other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation view showing a card holder in a fully open position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevation view showing the card holder in a fully open position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view showing the card holder in a fully closed position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view showing the top flap of the card holder in an open position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a front elevation view showing a sheet from the pad lifted away and partially detached from the underlying sheets. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing the card holder in a partially open position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of die cut stock used to form a card holder. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a rear elevation view of die cut stock used to form a card holder. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of a sheet of note paper. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a front elevation view of a hanging tag. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a diagram showing a piece of ribbon looped through a pair of apertures in the top flap. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0022]    With reference to the figures,  FIGS. 1-6  illustrate one or more embodiments of a card holder  100  for holding transaction cards, such as a gift card  105 .  FIG. 1  is a front elevation view showing the card holder  100  in a fully open position with the top flap  110  moved, lifted or tilted upward to a vertically upward position and the bottom flap  115  moved, pulled or tilted downward to a vertically downward position, each flap  110  and  115  thereby moved and pivoted away from the main panel  120 . The main panel  120  is obscured in  FIG. 1  by the pad  125  attached thereto, but is visible from the rear of the holder  100  in  FIG. 2 . The top flap  110 , main panel  120  and bottom flap  115  are generally joined to one another in series along the longitudinal axis of the holder  100 . 
         [0023]    The holder  100  comprises card stock, relatively thin cardboard, relatively thick paper, or the like. The pad or notepad  125  comprises sheets or pages  130  of paper suitable for receiving writing, drawings or other marks made in ink, pencil graphite, paint or other suitable material using a pen, pencil, marker, brush or other suitable device. 
         [0024]    Typically, a pad  125  is formed by removably adhering sheets  130  to one another along a top margin, as known in the prior art. A backer or backer sheet (not shown) may be adhered at the back of the pad  125  and may comprise a more rigid material to support and protect the sheets  130 . Either the backer or the back sheet of the pad  125  is adhered to the front surface of the main panel  120 , when the pad  125  is attached thereto, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , and more clearly shown in the side, perspective view provided in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0025]    The top flap  110  is typically generally triangular in shape so that the portion distal to the main panel  120 , referred to herein as the point  135 , is of sufficient reduced, transverse, dimension or width to slide and fit into a slot  140  formed in the bottom flap  115 . The point  135  is shown inserted into and engaged with the slot  140  in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0026]    The top flap  110  includes a pair of apertures  145   a  and  145   b  (collectively referred to by  145 ). As shown in  FIG. 11  (a diagram of the top surface of the top flap  110  in the same general orientation as in  FIG. 2 ), a piece of ribbon  150  or the like is looped through the apertures  145  and tied at the front surface of the top flap  110 , typically to form a bow, to attach the ribbon  150  to the top flap  110 . The ribbon  150  may serve as a structure to grasp when pulling the top flap  110  from engagement with the slot  140  or simply as a decoration. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevation view of the card holder  100  showing a hanging tag  155  attached to the upper portion of the outer, rear facing surface of the main panel  120 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the hanging tag  155  includes an upper portion  156  and a lower portion  157  divided from one another by a line of perforations  165 . The lower portion  157  bears a line or strip of adhesive  160  used to attach the lower portion  157  to the main panel  120 , as described above. The upper portion  156  includes peg hole  170  therein, typically a sombrero cut hole  170 , for receiving the peg or post of a display rack (not shown). The hanging tag  155  may comprise plastic, acetate or other suitable material. The holder  100  is typically presented for sale in the folded disposition (shown in  FIG. 3 ) by hanging it upon a display rack peg by passing the hanging tag  155  over the peg so that the peg passes through the peg hole  170 . The holder  100  is sized so that, when in the folded disposition, it will fit within display rack space constraints as described in the 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]      FIG. 4  is a front elevation view showing the top flap  110  of the card holder  100  in an open position after withdrawing the point  135  of the top flap  110  from the slot  140 . To open the top flap  110 , the user may grasp the ribbon  150  (or equivalent structure, if provided) and pull it away from the holder  100 . Alternatively, the user may grasp the top flap  110  directly and pull it away from the holder  100 . Either method will pull or slide the point  135  from the slot  140 . In certain alternative embodiments, the top flap  110  is held to the outer surface of the bottom flap  115  by cooperating, aligned pieces or portions of hook and loop fastener, such as a Velcro fastener material (not shown). In such embodiments, cooperating pieces are attached to a portion of the underside of the top flap  110 , and to a portion of the outer surface of the bottom flap  115 , so that when the top flap  110  is closed the cooperating pieces on the top flap  110  and bottom flap  115  are aligned and functionally engaged as is known in the prior art. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a front elevation view showing a sheet  130  partially lifted from the pad  125  and partially detached from the underlying sheets. In use, a sheet  130  may be written on by the user either while attached to the pad  125  or after removal therefrom.  FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing the card holder  100  in a partially open position. 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of a sheet of planar card stock  200  die cut to shape and used to form a card holder  100 . As shown, the top flap  110  includes apertures  145   a  and  145 . The front surface of the main panel  120  includes an area for receiving adhesive  121  to adhere the pad  125  to the main panel  120 .  FIG. 8  is a rear elevation view of the planar card stock  200  showing the hanging tag  155  attached to the upper back surface of the main panel  120  via permanent adhesive  160 . In alternative embodiments, the hanging tag  155  may be attached to a polybag or other overwrap that may be used to package the holder  100 , in which case the hanging tag  155  is removed and discarded with the overwrap when the holder  100  is unwrapped. In such embodiments, the hanging tag  155  need not include a line of perforations  165 . 
         [0031]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8  of the stock  200 , the bottom flap  115  comprises two subpanels  115   a  and  115   b  that are attached to one another to form a bottom flap  115  with a double wall. Subpanel  115   b  extends from the lower margin of the main panel  120  and includes the slot  140 . Subpanel  115   a  extends from the lower margin of subpanel  115   b  (distal the main panel  120 ). Subpanel  115   a  includes two slits  175   a  and  175   b  (collectively referred to by  175 ) for receiving the edges of a transaction card  105 , such as a gift card, inserted therein. To construct the bottom panel  115 , subpanel  115   a  is provided with adhesive  117  around the outer margins of the inner surface of the subpanel  115   a.  When subpanel  115   a  is folded upward along fold line  116  to meet subpanel  115   b,  the adhesive  117  contacts panel  115   b  and adheres the subpanels to each other forming an integrated, double-wall bottom panel  115 . 
         [0032]    The holder  100  may include a gift card  105  installed within the slits  175 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , when presented for sale (typically hung upon a display rack). Alternatively, the gift card  105  may be removably attached to an outer portion of the holder  100  for later, post-sale removal therefrom and attachment within the slits  175 , or the holder  100  may be presented for sale separate from a gift card  105 , in which case any gift card  105  separately obtained by the user may be installed within the holder  100 . 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , various indicia may be provided on the surfaces of the holder  100 , including instructions  101 , diagrams, lines  102 , and/or shading for directing positioning and installing a gift card  105  within the slits  175 . The holder  100  may include a bar code or UPC code for facilitating purchase. Alternatively, if sold with a gift card  105 , the bar code or UPC may instead be provided on the surface of the gift card  105  rather than on the surface of the holder  100 . 
         [0034]    It should be appreciated that the holder  100  and associated structures may be constructed in various shapes and forms and bearing various graphics and designs while maintaining the general structure and functionality described herein. Certain embodiments of the holder  100  and any associated packaging are typically constructed and assembled to comply with standard space constraints for display racks, and more particularly, under current guidelines or restrictions, to not exceed 5.25 inches tall by 4 inches wide.