Abstract:
A bi-fold holder that wraps around a gift card carrier panel or gift card packet, while occupying substantially the same display space as the panel or packet would occupy on a display stand, thereby enhancing the value of the gift while allowing the same number of individual units to be displayed across a display stand.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of the prior filed, provisional applications, Ser. Nos. 61/182,741, filed May 31, 2009, 61/228,248, filed Jul. 24, 2009, and 61/305,943, filed Feb. 18, 2010, each incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to gift cards and more particularly to a device for holding and displaying gift cards while providing indicia and/or audio recordings selected or provided by the purchaser to personalize the gift. 
     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 magnet 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, more commonly, is selected at the point of sale by the purchaser and loaded by the cashier using a magnetic card reader/writer. 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. 
     Gift cards are often presented for sale on display racks in stores. The cards are typically attached to a gift card carrier panel or sheet via removable adhesive or plastic wrap and the carrier panel is hung upon a display stand peg. Alternatively, gift cards may be sold in a sealed packet. A given area of a store will 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. 
     In addition to the above considerations, and to comply with certain industry standards, gift cards must fit within a set allocated space in pre-existing displays. Typically, a gift card carrier panel or packet must not exceed 5.25″ tall and 4″ wide. These dimensions are an industry standard and are typically non-negotiable. In addition, for gift cards that use barcodes the carrier panel must have a 0.75″ tall×3.125″ wide die cut window to provide access to the C128 barcode on the gift card when affixed to the carrier. In order to properly hang each gift card, carrier panels or associated hang tags are also typically required to include a J-hook hole (sombrero cut) with the dimensions of 1.875″ wide by 0.5″ high, and to be placed 0.1875″ from the top of the carrier panel or hang tag. Presently, the above requirements pertain to approximately 95% of all gift cards that are sold at retail. 
     Devices for recording, storing and playing back audio have been associated with greeting cards and the like, such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,577,018; 5,652,606 and 6,845,583. The audio circuitry typically includes a speaker that also functions as a microphone when recording a message, a control circuit, a memory circuit to provide random access memory, one or more switches, batteries to provide power to the device, and associated wiring and mounting hardware. 
     What is needed, therefore, is a gift card holder that may be used in association with a gift card to personalize the gift of the card to the recipient, either through selected indicia or audio of interest or entertainment to the recipient or through indicia or an audio recording provided by the gift giver, and which may fit within the space constraints already in place for gift cards mounted on carrier panels, or for gift card packets. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The purpose of this invention is to provide a gift card holder that bears indicia for indicating the name of the sender and recipient of the gift card, decorations of various styles or themes, a slot for inserting a gift card into the holder, a gift card sheet including a peg hole for hanging the gift card and holder upon a display rack, and circuitry for recording and playing sound such as music and/or a message from the gift giver, including a sound speaker, a power source such as one or more commonly available watch batteries, and record and playback buttons. Typically, the holder is sold to the gift giving consumer wrapped around a gift card and attached or integral hang tag (gift card packet). The gift card may be disposed so that the magnetic strip of the gift card projects below the holder thereby enabling the card to be loaded with a stored value at the point of sale. The bi-fold design of the holder wraps around a gift card packet but occupies essentially the same space footprint as the gift card packet would on display stand, thereby enhancing value while allowing the same number of units to be displayed. 
     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 
         FIG. 1  is a view of a multi-panel sheet used to assemble a gift card holder showing the surfaces of the holder that remain external after folding and assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is a view of the sheet of  FIG. 1  primarily showing surfaces that are internal subsequent to folding and assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is a view of the sheet of  FIG. 2  showing audio components attached to the inner surface of the center panel. 
         FIG. 4  is a view of the sheet of  FIG. 3  showing the left panel folded inward against the front panel and the inside center panel folded inward against the center panel. 
         FIG. 5  is a view of the gift card sheet and holder prior to installation of the gift card sheet within the holder. 
         FIG. 6  is a view of the gift card sheet positioned upon the inside center panel. 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the right panel folded over the gift card sheet. 
         FIG. 8  is a view of the front panel folded over the right panel to secure the gift card sheet within the holder for display and sale. 
         FIG. 9  is a view of an embodiment of the gift card sheet wherein the lower portion of said sheet comprises a gift card defined from the upper portion by a transverse line of perforation. 
         FIG. 10  is a view of the gift card separated from the upper portion of the gift card sheet. 
         FIG. 11  is a view of the gift card installed within the left panel pocket. 
         FIG. 12  is a view of the right panel folded over the center panel and the front panel folded over the right panel to place the holder in a folded disposition for gifting. 
         FIG. 13  is a view of a multi-panel sheet used to assemble an alternative embodiment of a gift card holder showing the surfaces of the holder that remain external after folding and assembly. 
         FIG. 14  is a view of the sheet of  FIG. 13  showing surfaces that are internal subsequent to folding and assembly. 
         FIG. 15  is a view of a multi-panel sheet used to assemble a further alternative embodiment of a gift card holder showing the surfaces of the holder that remain external after folding and assembly. 
         FIG. 16  is a view of the sheet of  FIG. 15  showing surfaces that are internal subsequent to folding and assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is 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. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 12 , there is shown an embodiment of a gift card holder of the present invention indicated generally by the reference numeral  100 .  FIG. 1  provides a view of a multi-panel sheet  105  used to assemble the gift card holder  100  showing the surfaces of the holder  100  that remain external after folding and assembly. The sheet  105  typically comprises a single piece of heavy paper or light cardboard having five distinct panels defined by fold lines and the outer margins of the sheet.  FIG. 2  is a view of the sheet of  FIG. 1  primarily showing surfaces that are internal subsequent to folding and assembly. With further reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and referencing the directional orientation of the sheet  105  as shown in  FIG. 2 , the panels include a center panel  110 , a right panel  115  projecting from the right margin of the center panel  110 , an inside center panel  120  projecting from the upper margin of the center panel  110 , a front panel  125  projecting from the left margin of the center panel  110 , and an inside left panel  130  projecting from the left margin of the front panel  125 . The center panel  110  typically includes indicia on the external surface thereof to prompt the user to indicate the identity of the gift giver and of the gift recipient, i.e. “to/from indicia”. The inside left panel  130  includes an aperture or slot  135  that provides an opening to a pocket formed when the inside left panel  130  is adhered along the margins to the front panel  125 , thereby enclosing the space therebetween. The inside left panel  130  may include indicia to prompt the user to indicate the cash value stored or provided by an associated gift card, i.e. “amount indicia”. The inside left panel  130  may also include indicia to prompt the user to write a message to the intended gift card recipient, i.e. “message indicia”. It should be appreciated that any of the panel surfaces visible to a user following assembly of the multi-panel sheet  105  to form an assembled gift card holder  100  may be printed with the above-referenced indicia. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , audio components  140  of the gift card holder  100  are attached to the inner surface of the center panel  110  using any desired operable means such as adhesive. The audio components  140  typically include a speaker  145  for recording and playing back sound, a record button  150 , control and storage circuitry  155  including an integrated circuit and random access memory, a playback switch  160 , and a power source such as one or more watch batteries  165 . All or some of these audio components  140  may be mounted upon a circuit board  170  or similar structure. The circuit board  170  is generally rectangular and sized to fit within the margins of the center panel  110 , allowing sufficient space around the margins to accept adhesive. The circuit board  170  is formed of materials commonly used for such purpose in the prior art, typically a thermally stable non-conductive material such as thermoset plastic or epoxy-fiberglass laminates. An example of appropriate prior art circuitry of the type that may be adapted for use with this device includes a digital recording unit sold by Radio Shack, part no. 276-1323. 
     When the record button  150  is pressed a user may record an audible message by speaking into the speaker  145 . The record button  150  typically comprises a pressure sensitive switch. When the playback is switch  160  is engaged, the recorded message is retrieved from digital memory and played over the speaker  145 . The playback switch  160  typically comprises a slide switch. An arm  175  of the playback switch  160  is attached (typically via a cardboard or plastic extension arm  180 ) to an inner surface of the front panel  125  proximate the right front panel margin. 
     Typically, one or more indicia indicating the location, and perhaps functionality, of the record button  150  are provided on either the external surface of the center panel  110  or on the external surface of the inside center panel in proximity to the record button  150  held therebetween. 
     Once the audio components  140  are attached to the inside surface of the center panel  110 , the inside center panel  120  is folded inward to cover and enclose the audio components  140 . The inside surface of the inside center panel  120  is attached to the inside surface of the center panel  110  using adhesive disposed along the margins thereof. A left cover  185  is formed by folding the inside left panel  130  against the inside surface of the front panel  125 . The inside surfaces of these two panels ( 130  and  125 ) are adhered to one another using adhesive disposed along the margins thereof. A right cover  190  simply comprises the right panel  115  in this embodiment. A notch  195  is provided in the inside left panel  130  to accommodate the extension arm  180 , which moves away from the surface of the front panel  125  as the left cover  185  is closed.  FIG. 4  shows the left panel  130  folded inward against the front panel  125  and the inside center panel  120  folded inward against the center panel  110  to form a center cover  187 . 
       FIG. 5  is a view of a gift card sheet  200  and holder  100  prior to installation of the gift card sheet  200  within the holder  100 . The gift card sheet  200  includes an aperture or hole  205  for hanging the gift card sheet  200  upon a display hook (not shown). A lower portion of the gift card sheet  200  may comprise a removable gift card  210  defined from the upper, hang tag portion  202  of the gift card sheet  200  by a transverse line of perforation  215 . The gift card  210  may typically include a magnetic strip  220  or other means for storing or encoding stored or credited value information. In certain embodiments, the gift card sheet  200  element comprises a gift card packet that may include a gift card removably adhered to a card board backing, or a gift card and card board backing wrapped in clear plastic or cellophane to hold the card to the backing. In such cases, the backing typically includes a peg hole for hanging the gift card packet upon a display stand hook. 
     Gift cards  210  are often presented for sale on display racks in stores. In the prior art, gift cards  210  are typically simply attached to a gift card carrier panel or packet and hung upon J-hooks. A gift card  210  and its carrier must fit within a set allocated space on the display rack. More specifically, a gift card carrier typically must not exceed 5.25″ tall and 4″ wide. These dimensions are an industry standard and are typically non-negotiable. 
     The gift card holder  100  of the present invention is specifically designed to enhance the value of a gift card  210  by providing a wrap around structure that provides additional space for graphics and personalized messages, as well as audio capability, while not taking any additional viewable display space on the display rack. The holder  100  still provides accessibility to the gift card  210  at the point of sale via the gift card carrier panel or sheet  200 , with the entire holder  100  assembly remaining within the standardized size constraints already in effect upon gift cards  210  and carrier panels in the prior art. 
     As illustrated sequentially in  FIGS. 6 through 8 , the gift card sheet  200  is placed upon the inside center panel  120  and then the right and left covers  190  and  185  are folded over the gift card sheet  200  and secured to one another via hook and loop fasteners  225  and  230 . The gift card holder  100  may now be hung upon a display rack (not shown) using the aperture  205  in the gift card sheet  200 . 
     Since the gift card magnetic strip  220  extends below the lower margin of the holder  100 , the magnetic strip  220  may be swiped through a magnetic card reading and storage device at the point of purchase without removing the gift card  210  from the holder  100 . 
     Prior to gifting, the gift card sheet  200  is removed from the holder  100  by opening the right and left covers  190  and  185 . As shown sequentially in  FIGS. 9 through 11 , the gift card  210  is separated from the gift card sheet  200  by tearing along the perforated line  215 . The separated gift card  210  is then passed through the slot in the inside left panel  130  to install the card  210  within the pocket in the left cover  185 . In alternative embodiments (not shown) the gift card may be provided as a separate unit removably adhered to the surface of the gift card sheet or held to the gift card sheet via plastic wrap, cellophane or similar material. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the right cover  190  is then folded over the inside center panel  120  and the left cover  185  is folded over the right cover  190  to place the holder  100  in a folded disposition for gifting. 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  provide views of opposing sides of a multi-panel sheet  305  used to assemble an alternative embodiment of a gift card holder  300 .  FIG. 13  shows surfaces of the sheet  305  that remain external after folding and assembly.  FIG. 14  shows surfaces of the sheet  305  that are internal (glued together) subsequent to folding and assembly. Referencing the directional orientation of the sheet  305  as shown in  FIG. 14 , the sheet  305  comprises a center panel  310 , an inside center panel  315  that projects from the upper margin of the center panel  310 , a right panel  320  that projects from the right margin of the center panel  310 , an inside right panel  325  that projects from the lower margin of the right panel  320 , a front panel  330  that projects from the left margin of the center panel  310 , and an inside left panel  335  that projects from the left margin of the front panel  330 . Arrows in  FIG. 14  indicate that the inside left panel  335  is folded rightward over the front panel  330  to form a left cover, the inside right panel  325  is folded upward over the right panel  320  to form a right cover, and the inside center panel  315  is folded downward over the center panel  310 . A first panel may be affixed to a corresponding underlying second panel (over which the first panel has been folded) by applying adhesive along the outer margins of the inner surface of the first panel and pressing such inner surface against the inner surface of the underlying second panel. A slot  135 ′ is provided in the inside right panel  325  to provide egress to the enclosed pocket formed in the right cover when the inside right panel  325  is folded over the right panel  320 . Cooperating hook and loop fasteners  225 ′ and  230 ′ secure the left cover to the right cover when the left cover is folded over the right cover. 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  provide views of a multi-panel sheet  305  having slits  340  and  345  for holding a gift card in place upon the inside right panel  325  instead of a slot. 
     The surfaces of the holder  100  may include various surface decorations, images or text printed thereon or adhered thereto.