Abstract:
The invention is a postcard in the form of a lightweight flip-flop sandal. This postcard is an efficient and unique way to memorialize and to convey the leisure experiences of the sender to an addressee. The three-dimensional flip-flop postcard can actually be worn, albeit without a mate unless two are sent, either before or after a message and appropriate address information is written in applicable marking areas and it is mailed with sufficient postage or otherwise delivered to the intended recipient.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is filed pursuant to US Provisional Patent Application having Application No. 60/597,668 filed on Dec. 16, 2005. 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCED OR INCORPORATED MATERIAL 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to postcards, particularly those postcards associated with the tourism industry. Rather than the traditional two dimensional rectangular cardstock postcard, the present invention relates to a true-size three dimensional functional flip-flop postcard. 
     Certainly the idea of a postcard as an efficient mailer is quite old in the art. Over the years, postcards have particularly grown as a method of correspondence in travel and the tourism industry. It is presently quite common to find postcards for sale at tourist destinations. Most postcards are rectangular in shape and are typically made out of efficient lightweight cardstock. They often feature a photo or other identifiable greeting on one side and a place for postal markings and brief personal note on the reverse. Typically the postcard sender picks a card with an image of a place or thing that he or she has recently seen or experienced. Often this is done with the goal of imparting to the recipient the idea of the sender being relaxed and on vacation. 
     In the art of footwear, and particularly in the open sandal portion of that art, the flip-flop has likewise been well known as an item of leisure wear for many years. The flip-flop is known in the art for its lightweight, efficient construction and for its ease of use. Typically, a flip-flop is constructed of a lightweight sole and some sort of strap or thong thereon attached into which the foot is able to contact and to grip the flip-flop. It is presently quite common to find flip-flops in use and on sale in beach and other outdoor leisure settings. Such settings may also frequently be tourist destinations. 
     Thus, postcards and flip-flops have separately coexisted for a great many years in tourist and other leisure venues, and yet, no prior art appears to exist that encompasses or even suggests the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a postcard constructed in a functional flip-flop design whereby the user could actually wear the flip-flop, then take it off of his foot, write a message on one side, affix postage such as one or more stamps and an address on the other side, and, finally, place it in the postal mail system to send it to a relative, friend, or other recipient. 
     It is an object of the present invention to respond to a long felt need in the art of postcards to impressionably convey to a postcard addressee the unique vacation or similar experiences of the postcard sender. The present invention recognizes this need by combining the iconic flip-flop, so commonly associated with leisure activities, with the message conveyance and the efficient utility of a postcard. As a postcard, the present invention quickly, efficiently, and even humorously suggests to the recipient that the sender is relaxing in a leisurely location where you might typically find flip-flops such as a beach vacation destination or similar place. 
     Another aspect of the present invention which relates to its utility is its weight. The present invention contemplates a lightweight construction to facilitate mailing of the flip-flop postcard. Flip-flops are very often made of lightweight materials such as foam rubber. Thus, by achieving a light weight, the postal expenses associated with the mailing of this postcard experience will be relatively inexpensive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of an embodiment showing a strap and marking and postal attachment surfaces. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-section of  FIG. 1  showing an embodiment that has recessed marking and postal attachment surfaces. 
         FIG. 3A  is a bottom view of an embodiment showing a blank marking surface. 
         FIG. 3B  is a bottom view of an embodiment showing a marking surface which has been inscribed with a message. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section of  FIG. 1  showing an embodiment that has raised marking and postal attachment surfaces. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It is to be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention. The following example is provided to further illustrate the invention and is not to be construed to unduly limit the scope of the invention. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention generally contemplates a flip-flop postcard that could be a functional flip-flop for the sender or recipient, however it is not an object of this invention that the postcard actually be used as a flip-flop. The postcard comprises a sole  10 , a strap or thong firmly attached thereto  30 , and an assortment of marking surfaces  20 ,  40 , &amp;  60  affixed on either side or on both of them. In the preferred embodiment, the marking surfaces  20 ,  40 , &amp;  60  are recessed into the sole  10  of the flip-flop. These recessed surfaces  20 ,  40 , &amp;  60  can be seen via the cross-section in  FIG. 2 . 
     An alternate embodiment has the marking surfaces  20 ,  40 , &amp;  60  not recessed as in  FIG. 2 , but instead raised above the level of the flip-flop sole  10  as is shown in  FIG. 4  which is a cross-section of  FIG. 1 . 
     The sole  10  is made of lightweight material, such as the dense foam rubber typically used in flip-flop construction. The sole  10  constitutes the main body of the post card and further could function as the sole of a flip-flop. The sole  10  is characterized by a top portion which is the top side where the foot touches when worn and a bottom portion which is the bottom side that contacts the earth when worn. The overall sole  10  is relatively planar and the thickness of the sole  10 , though generally uniform, can vary considerably depending on design preferences. The shape is approximately that of a human foot or of a traditional shoe. 
     The strap or thong  30 , as is common in the flip-flop art, is attached to the sole  10  in at least two, though typically in three, places. The strap  30  extends above the top portion of the sole  10 . The strap  30  is constructed of lightweight materials that can include a broad range of materials like plastics and natural fibers. The points of attachment to the sole  10  are such that a foot can easily slide in and yet remain in contact with the sole  10  in order to grip the flip-flop. Often the strap  30  will be made of a fabric such that it can lie generally flat against the sole  10  and thus minimize the apparent thickness of the apparatus. This flattening of the strap or thong  30  can improve postal handling and further convey the postcard image. 
     Also, an assortment of marking surfaces  20 ,  40 , &amp;  60  are attached to the sole  10  or incorporated into the sole material. In the preferred embodiment, the marking surfaces  20 ,  40 , &amp;  60  are recessed into the sole  10  of the flip-flop. The recessed surfaces can be seen via the cross-section in  FIG. 2  and the alternative raised surfaces can bee seen in the cross-section in  FIG. 4 . These surfaces  20 ,  40 , &amp;  60  can be attached or incorporated in any number of ways such as through adhesive application. The surfaces  20 ,  40 , &amp;  60  are designed so that the sender can write or otherwise print a short message and appropriate postal address information for the intended recipient. In one embodiment, a marking surface  60  is fixed to the bottom portion of the sole  10  for the message to be inscribed by the sender.  FIG. 3A  shows this marking surface  60  with no markings yet inscribed and  FIG. 3B  shows the marking surface  60  with the marking surface inscribed. 
     In this embodiment, other marking surfaces  40  &amp;  20  are attached to the top portion of the sole for the address  20  and return address  40  to be inscribed by the sender. There is also sufficient space  50  on the top portion for appropriate postal stamps to be affixed. Often the postage  50 , address  40 , and return address  20  spaces are located on one side of the flip-flop and the message space  60  is located on the other side, however this is not a requirement that they be on opposite sides. Additionally, in some embodiments the marking surfaces  20 ,  40 , &amp;  60  may be pre-filled out with information such as the location of the place where the sender obtained the flip-flop postcard. This can be beneficial by both reducing the information that the sender must write on the postcard and by acting as a source of advertising for the place where the present invention is being sold. 
     Another element of the invention relates to decorative or ornamental identifiers or setting elements that may be attached to the sole or straps or the present invention. Such identifiers or setting elements, if added, would be indicative of or unique to the particular environment where the postcard invention would be marketed and sold. For an embodiment contemplating a beach setting, for instance, the identifiers or setting elements might include affixed images or miniatures of typical beach items like a beach ball or sun glasses or perhaps a photographic image or name of the particular beach or similar location. These identifiers or setting elements enable this embodiment of the present invention to more immediately convey a vacation-themed message.