Abstract:
A printed greeting card is placed within a two-sided frame-like casing which is suspended in a vertical plane such that both sides of the greeting card can be viewed. The casing extends from a combination elongate connector strand and clip. The clip can be releasably attached to any element in a floral arrangement, to a single floral stem, as well as to other gifts such as stuffed animals or gift bags. The greeting card may be a flat card with printing on one or both sides, or may alternatively be folded in half in the fashion of traditional hand-held greeting cards. In all cases, the greeting card is placed within the frame-like casing by insertion through a slot in the side of the casing so that both exterior surfaces are easily viewable.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    Traditionally, complimentary cards have been provided by florists for insertion into floral arrangements. These cards are normally mounted within the arrangement by placing them on a stemmed bracket, the stem of which is then inserted into the mounting medium within the arrangement, or placed among the floral stems within a vase. This presentation of the card by the florist has been in use for many years and can be considered outdated.  
           [0002]    Additionally, this presentation is not suitable for use with a single-stemmed floral gift, where the inclusion of a card mounted on a stemmed bracket detracts from the beauty of the gift.  
           [0003]    An updated, fun, and modern device is needed to present a gift card in floral arrangements and in the presentation of a single floral stem  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The inventive clip card is a means by which gift cards can be presented in a novel, modern, and colorful way. A printed greeting card is placed within a two-sided frame-like casing which is suspended in a vertical plane such that both sides of the greeting card can be viewed. The casing extends from a combination elongate connector strand and clip. The clip can be releasably attached to any element in a floral arrangement, to a single floral stem, as well as to other gifts such as stuffed animals or gift bags.  
           [0005]    The greeting card may be preprinted with customary phrases, such as “Happy Birthday,” “I&#39;m sorry,” and “Get Well Soon!” among others. The greeting card may also include appropriate colorful images to accompany the printed message, or may provide a colorful image without text. The greeting card may be a flat card with printing on one or both sides, or may alternatively be folded in half in the fashion of traditional hand-held greeting cards. The folded embodiment may include printing on one or both exterior and one or both interior surfaces. The interior surfaces may also be left blank to allow a private handwritten inscription to be placed thereon. In all cases, the greeting card is placed within the frame-like casing by insertion through a slot in the side of the casing so that both exterior surfaces are easily viewable.  
           [0006]    Although originally conceived as a means of updating the presentation of the conplimentary floral gift card, the inventive clip card may be used in a variety of alternative ways. For example, a printed photograph may be substituted for the greeting card within the casing. In this instance, the casing may still be attached to a floral piece or other gift, or may also be attached to clothing such as a shirt lapel, pocket, or hat band or visor. In a second example, a name tag may be substituted for the greeting card. In this instance, the casing may still be attached to a floral piece or other gift for use as a place card, or may also be attached to clothing such as a shirt lapel, pocket, or hat band or visor for use in self-introduction/identification. In a third example, a label or price tag may be substituted for the greeting card. In this instance, the casing may be used in a retail environment to draw attention to a new item, or a sale item, and would be attached directly to the item or to a rack adjacent to the item.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the clip card illustrating how the clip card is secured to a generally vertical support structure such as a flower stem so that the message held by the clip card is displayed.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the clip card.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the opened card case showing the snap fitting pairs which allow the card case to be selectively opened and secured in a closed, folded position.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4 is a front view of the opened card case showing the fold line in phantom and showing the channel and vacancy in the first end which receives one end of the flexible connector strand therein.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 5 is a side view of the opened card case.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the clip and connector strand showing the widened end on the second end of the connector strand which is used to secure the connector strand to the card case.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of the clip and connector strand showing the profile of the widened end on the connector strand and showing the teeth which are provided on the interior surface of the clip.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 8 is a top view of the clip and connector strand showing the profile of the clip.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of the card case illustrating the way in which the widened end of the connector strand is secured in the end of the card case.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 10 is a second embodiment of the clip card illustrating the card case formed in the shape of a heart.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 11 is a third embodiment of the clip card illustrating the card case formed in the shape of a balloon.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a flat greeting card for use with the inventive casing.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a folded greeting card for use with the inventive casing.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the flat greeting card of FIG. 12 being inserted into the casing, where the arrow shows the direction of movement of the card. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]    The inventive clip card will now be described with respect to the figures. A first embodiment  10  of the clip card is shown in FIGS.  1 - 9  and  14 . First embodiment  10  of the clip card is composed of a rectangular frame-like casing  60 , a spring clip  20 , and a connector strand  40  which allows casing  60  to be suspended from clip  20 .  
         [0022]    Casing  60  is a thin, hollow rectangular frame which provides a means for holding an imprinted card  100  in a vertical orientation in space. Casing  60  is two sided so that both sides of card  100  can be viewed. Casing  60  surrounds and encloses the peripheral edges  130  only of card  100  in the fashion of a border, and is open and hollow in its center so as to allow an unobstructed view of both front  110  and rear  120  faces of card  100 .  
         [0023]    Casing  60  is formed of a first hollow rectangular frame  61  and a second hollow rectangular frame  63 , the first hollow frame  61  having the same size and exterior shape as the second hollow frame  63 .  
         [0024]    First hollow frame  61  is provided with a first outer face  71 , and a first inner face  70  which lies opposed to first outer face  71 . First hollow frame  61  is also provided with a first end  62  and a second end  66  which is opposed to first end  62 . Mid portion  64 , which extends between first end  62  and second end  66 , is the interior region bounded by the peripheral edge  68 , and is void of material in locations which are space apart from the peripheral edge so as to form an open or hollow central space. First hollow frame  61  has a first outside edge  68  which corresponds to its periphery, and a first inside edge  67  which corresponds to the surface resulting from the absence of material in mid portion  64 . First outside edge  68  is opposed to first inside edge  67 .  
         [0025]    Second hollow frame  63  is provided with a second outer face  73 , and a second inner face  72  which lies opposed to second outer face  73 . Second hollow frame  63  is also provided with a first end  86  and a second end  87  which is opposed to first end  86 . Mid portion  88 , which extends between first end  86  and second end  87 , is the interior region bounded by the peripheral edge  77 , and is void of material in locations which are space apart from the peripheral edge so as to form an open or hollow central space. Second hollow frame  63  has a first outside edge  77  which corresponds to its periphery, and a first inside edge  78  which corresponds to the surface resulting from the absence of material in mid portion  88 . First outside edge  77  is opposed to first inside edge  78 .  
         [0026]    The two frames  61 ,  63  are formed in an unfolded configuration and are joined along one side of their respective rectangular peripheries  68 ,  77  by means of strip  90 . Casing  60  is formed by folding strip  90  along fold line  92  (FIG. 4) such that the respective inner faces  70 ,  72  are adjacent and confronting, and such that the respective first ends  62 ,  86  are adjacent to each other, and such that the respective peripheral edges  68 ,  77  are aligned to form a single, smooth outer casing edge.  
         [0027]    Casing  60  is maintained in the folded configuration by means of a plurality of snap fittings  80  formed in the respective inner faces  70 ,  72 . In the preferred embodiment, two snap fitting pairs  80  are provided along the peripheral edge of each frame  61 ,  63  in a location which is distant from the fold strip  90 . However, it is well within the scope of this invention to use more or fewer snap fitting pairs as required to achieve a pleasing, uniform external appearance.  
         [0028]    Each snap fitting pair  80  is comprised of two mating members which are sized and shaped to snap together when aligned under external pressure. In the preferred embodiment, the first member of the pair is a cylindrical post  85  which is sized to be received within the second member, cylindrical ring  81 .  
         [0029]    As illustrated in FIG. 3, first inner face  70  of first hollow frame  61  is provided with two cylindrical rings  81 . Each ring  81  is positioned between peripheral edge  68  and inside edge  67  on first inner face  70 , and is located on the side of the rectangle which is distant from fold strip  90 . The inner diameter of each ring  81  is sized to receive the post therewithin in a close fit. The outer diameter of ring  81  is slightly larger than distance between peripheral edge  68  and inside edge  67 , and is therefore flattened along portions which intersect peripheral edge  68  (see reference number  83  in FIGS. 3 and 4) and inside edge  67 . This truncation of the outer perimeter of ring  81  preserves the smooth appearance of casing  60  when assembled.  
         [0030]    Second inner face  72  of second hollow frame  63  is provided with two cylindrical posts  85 . Each post  85  is positioned between peripheral edge  77  and inside edge  78  on second inner face  72 , is located on the side of the rectangle which is distant from fold strip  90 , and are positioned to mate with the associated ring  81  when casing  60  is folded. Ring-shaped channel  84  is formed in second inner face  72  about each post  85 , and is sized to fittingly receive ring  81  therewithin as post  85  is inserted into the inner diameter of ring  81 .  
         [0031]    Casing  60  is provided with a pair of channels or slots  74 ′ in the respective inner faces  70 ,  72  along first ends  62 ,  86  of the hollow frames  61 ,  63 . Channels  74 ′ extend inward from the respective peripheral edges  68 ,  77  at a location which is approximately centered on the first ends  62 ,  86 . Channels  74 ′ extend inward to intercept a vacancy  76 ′ formed in each of the inner faces  70 ,  72  adjacent to the peripheral edges  68 ,  77 . Vacancies  76 ′ are elongate channels or slots which extend in a direction which is perpendicular to channels  74 ′. When casing  60  is in the folded configuration, channel  74 ′ of first inner face  70  overlies and confronts channel  74 ′ of second inner face  72  so as to form a single, cylindrical channel  74 . Likewise, when casing  60  is in the folded configuration, vacancy  76 ′ of first inner face  70  overlies and confronts vacancy  76 ′ of second inner face  72  so as to form a single rectangular channel  76 . Channel  74  and vacancy  76  provide a means for securing connector strand  40  to casing  60 .  
         [0032]    Casing  60  is provided with a pair of shallow rectangular channels  96 ′ in the respective inner faces  70 ,  72  of the hollow frames  61 ,  63 . Channels  96 ′ originate from the respective second ends  66 ,  87  and extend along the respective inner faces  70 ,  72  to surround respective mid portions  64 ,  88  so as to form a recess within the respective inner faces  70 ,  72  in the region of respective mid portions  64 ,  88 . When casing  60  is in the folded configuration, channel  96 ′ of first inner face  70  aligns with, overlies, and confronts channel  96 ′ of second inner face  72  so as to form a single channel  96  which is sized and shaped to receive and maintain a greeting card  100  therein. The intersection of channel  96  with respective second ends  66 ,  87  results in slot  94 . Slot  94  allows greeting card  100  to be inserted into, and removed from, casing  60  when the casing is completely assembled in the folded configuration.  
         [0033]    Casing  60  is described herein as rectangular is shape. It is well within the scope of this invention, however, to provide a casing which is formed in alternative shapes, For example, a second embodiment  200  is illustrated in FIG. 10 which provides a heart-shaped casing  260  suspended from clip  220  by connector strand  240 . A third embodiment  300  is illustrated in FIG. 11 which provides a balloon shaped casing  360  suspended from clip  320  by connector strand  340 . Alternate shapes are not limited to those specifically illustrated herein, and may include, but are not limited to, shapes which are associated with special events, occasions, and/or holidays such as egg shaped or bunny shaped to commemorate the Easter holiday, turkey shaped to commemorate Thanksgiving, and balloon or cake shaped to commemorate birthdays. Additionally, a casing may be provided in a shape which has no special meaning but which is fun in nature, such as, but not limited to, the shape of a flower, fruit, animal and/or fictitious character.  
         [0034]    Connector strand  40  is an elongate, curvilinear strand which is has a first end  42  which extends from clip  20 , a second end  46  which is opposed to first end  42 , and a body portion  44  which lies between and separates first end  42  from second end  46 . In the preferred embodiment, connector strand  40  is provided in the specific shape described as follows: First end  42  and second end  46  of connector strand  40  are colinear along a longitudinal axis and separated by body portion  44  which is formed in the shape of the letter “S” or of a sine curve. Second end  46  of connector strand  40  terminates in a widened portion or stop  48 . Stop  48  is elongate and is preferably formed in the shape of a rectangular plate which lies normal to the longitudinal axis. Second end  46  is received within channel  74  of casing  60 , and stop  48  is shaped and sized to be received within vacancy  76 . When casing  60  is assembled with second end  46  and stop  48  residing within channels  74  and  76 , respectively, connector strand  40  cannot be withdrawn from channel  74 , and is thus secured to casing  60 . Additionally, the elongate shape of stop  48  as nested in vacancy  76  provides a means by which connector strand  40  is prevented from translation in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, as well as prevented from rotation about this axis (FIG. 9).  
         [0035]    Connector strand  40  is both flexible and resilient. In the preferred embodiment, it is formed of plastic and is provided with enough stiffness to allow casing  60  to be suspended in space at a location which is a short distance apart from clip  20 , and maintained in a desired orientation, preferably vertical Additionally, connector strand  40  is provided with enough flexibility so that the displayed message is capable of some deflection of casing  60  relative to clip  20 , and enough resilience to regain the desired orientation following any motion. Plastic is the preferred material due to its stiffness properties, its low weight, and because it is relatively inexpensive to use. However, it is well within the scope of this invention to use any alternative materials to form connector strand  40  which would provide the same material properties.  
         [0036]    Clip  20  extends from first end  42  of connector strand  40  and acts to secure casing  60  to a desired object. Clip  20  is a resilient spring and is comprised of a flat hollow cylinder, the cylinder comprising a wall which defines an inner surface  34 , an outer surface  36 , a top edge  28 , and bottom edge  30 , the cylinder further comprising a discontinuity  38  such that a portion of the wall is open, the cylinder being attached to connector strand  40  at a location which is opposed to the discontinuity.  
         [0037]    Clip  20  is also provided with a first elongate finger tab  22  and a second elongate finger tab  24 , each of the first  22  and second  24  elongate finger tabs extending tangentially outward from the outer surface  36  adjacent to the discontinuity  38  in the direction of connector strand  40  such that first end  42  of connector strand  40  is bracketed between the finger tabs. The inner surface  34  of the cylinder is provided with a plurality of teeth  32  which extend radially inward from the inner surface. Teeth  32 , and the spring tension of the cylindrical wall provide the means by which clip  20  is able to successfully grip an external object.  
         [0038]    In the preferred embodiment, first outer face  71  of casing  60  defines a first plane, and is presented to the viewer in a vertical orientation. The “S” shaped curve of connector strand  40  defines a second plane or strand plane. This second plane preferably lies parallel to the first plane. A third plane is defined by the top edge  28  of clip  20 . In the preferred embodiment, clip  20  extends from first end  42  of connector strand  40  such that the third plane defined by top edge  28  of clip  20  lies perpendicular to the both the second plane defined by the curvilinear connector strand  40 , and the first plane defined by the first outer face  71  of casing  60 . That is, when clip card  10  is in use, top edge  28  of clip  20  lies in the horizontal plane.  
         [0039]    In operation, clip  20  is manually opened by applying force to the distal ends of the finger tabs  22 ,  24  which causes discontinuity  38  to widen. The object to which the clip card  10  is to be attached is passed through discontinuity  38  and positioned within interior space  35 , and then clip  20  is allowed to close about the object by removing the force from the distal ends of the finger tabs  22 ,  24 . FIG. 1 illustrates clip card  10  suspended from the stem  7  of a rose  5 . The circular shape of interior space  35  in combination with teeth  32  extending from the inner surface  34  of clip  20 , are designed to receive the cylindrical stem and grip it so that clip card  10  remains in the desired position without vertical slipping or rotation about a vertical axis.  
         [0040]    Although specifically designed to receive a cylindrical object therein clip  20  is also well suited for attachment to objects which are not cylindrical in shape due to its spring design. It is well within the scope of this invention to use clip  20  to attach clip card  10  to a wide variety of objects which include, but are not limited to, gift packages, clothing, furniture and office equipment.  
         [0041]    As described above, greeting cards  100 ,  150  are inserted into slot  94  of the assembled clip card  10  so provide a new means of displaying greeting card  100  (FIGS.  12 - 14 ). The greeting card  100  may be a single sheet of card stock, and may be imprinted with colorful images and text on one  110  or both  110 ,  120  sides. In the preferred embodiment, greeting card  150  is folded in the manner of traditional greeting cards along a perforated or scored fold line  170  so as to form a card having a front outside face  155 , a rear outside face  175 , a front inside face  160  which is opposed to front outside face  155 , and a rear inside face  165  which is opposed to rear outside face  175  and confronts front inside face  160 . As with traditional greeting cards, some or all faces  155 ,  175 ,  160 ,  165  may be imprinted with colorful images or text. In the preferred embodiment, at least one inside face  160 ,  165  remains without imprint to allow a private handwritten message to be inscribed thereon.  
         [0042]    In the preferred embodiment, casing  60  is rectangular in shape and is approximately 2 inches long, ⅞ inches wide, and {fraction (3/16)} inches thick. Slot  94 , which receives greeting card  100 ,  150  therethrough, is preferably approximately {fraction (1/16)} inch by ¾ inch. Connector strand  40  is provided with an approximate overall length of 2 inches, and a circular cross section having a diameter of approximately {fraction (1/16)} inch. Clip  20  is preferably provided in overall dimensions of approximately ½ inch by ½ inch by {fraction (1/16)} inch. Thus the total overall length of clip card  10  is approximately 4½ inches. It is well within the scope of the invention, however, to form clip card  10  and other embodiments  200 ,  300  of the clip card having dimensions which are smaller or larger in order to suit any required need.