Patent Publication Number: US-7222446-B2

Title: Greeting card with gift holder

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/440,893 filed on Jan. 17, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   This description relates to greeting cards and, in certain embodiments, to greeting cards adapted to hold a gift item. 
   BACKGROUND 
   People like to commemorate important events in people&#39;s lives, such as weddings, anniversaries, and birthdays, and show their appreciation and affection for others by sending gifts and social expression cards, such as greeting cards. Most greeting cards sent today are mass produced cards purchased in retail establishments such as card shops, gift shops, grocery stores and the like. Gifts, of course, may be purchased at any of a number of retail establishments. 
   It is not always easy to find a mass produced card that expresses the right sentiment. Additionally, there is a desire on the part of most people to personalize their gifts and greeting cards. Most people write a personal greeting in the mass produced cards that they send to others. Recently, there have been introduced card vending machines or kiosks that enable purchasers to create personalized printed social expression cards. Also, there are software packages that enable people to produce cards using personal computers. 
   In the area of gifts, most people prefer to give a gift that they believe will be meaningful to and appreciated by the recipient. However, a giver may know only generally the wants and needs of a particular recipient. For example, the giver may know that an intended recipient likes music or a particular style of clothing. However, the giver may not know which musical group the recipient likes or whether the recipient would prefer one article of clothing over another. In such instances, the gift certificate from a store that carries goods of the type appreciated by the recipient might be an appropriate gift. 
   Gift certificates are now available in the form of prepaid gift cards. Conventional prepaid gift cards are debit cards having a magnetic stripe that encodes a monetary credit amount that can be read by appropriate card reader. Such prepaid gift cards are typically similar in size and shape to standard credit cards and may be used, for example, as a gift certificate or a prepaid merchandise credit toward a purchase at a retail establishment, which is typically identified on the gift card. 
   People giving a prepaid gift card often find it desirable to accompany the prepaid gift card with a traditional greeting card to make the gift a personal touch. The traditional greeting card provides the giver an opportunity to author a personalized sentiment or the like. Because traditional greeting cards are not adapted to hold a prepaid gift card, the greeting card and prepaid gift card are often presented separately. 
   SUMMARY 
   A greeting card may include on its front surface an element adapted to hold a prepaid gift card or the like. In one embodiment, a greeting card comprises a front panel and a rear panel connected at a fold line and a bag element resembling a shopping bag affixed to a forward surface of the front panel and adapted to releasably retain a prepaid gift card. 
   The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a greeting card in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the greeting card from  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a rear view of the greeting card from  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a right side view of the greeting card from  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a left side view of the greeting card from  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the greeting card from  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the greeting card from  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of a greeting card in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of a greeting card in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of a greeting card in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
   

   Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a greeting card  100  includes a front panel  120  and a rear panel  140  that are connected at a fold line  130 . The front panel  120  includes a front surface  122  and an interior surface  124 . Similarly, the rear panel  140  includes a rear surface  142  and an interior surface  144 . The panels  120  and  140  are movable about the fold line  130  such that the greeting card  100  may be adjusted between a folded condition and an unfolded condition. When the greeting card  100  is adjusted to a folded condition, as shown for example in  FIG. 1 , the interior surface  124  of the front panel  120  substantially faces the interior surface  144  of the rear panel  140 . When this embodiment of the greeting card  100  is adjusted to an unfolded condition (not shown), the interior surface  124  of the front panel  120  faces in a direction substantially similar to the interior surface  144  of the rear panel  140 . 
   The front and rear panels  120  and  140  can be constructed of any suitable material. For example, the panels  120  and  140  may comprise paper, cardstock, cardboard, plastic, or any combination thereof. Preferably, at least a portion of the front panel  120  or the rear panel  140  is constructed of a material that is suitable for receiving ink or other printing compositions. Various greetings, sentiments, messages, and images may be disposed on the front surface  122 , the rear surface, the interior surfaces  124  and  144 , or any combination thereof. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the front surface  122  may include one or more “TEXT” areas  126  that include a label, message, image, or any combination thereof. For example, the “TEXT” area  126  may include a message printed on the front panel  120  such as “HAPPY BIRTHDAY,” “HAPPY ANNIVERSARY,” “CONGRATULATIONS,” or the like. Similarly, at least one of the interior surfaces  124  and  144  may include a “MESSAGE” area  146  that include various greetings, sentiments, messages, and images. For example, the “MESSAGE” area may include a humorous birthday message preprinted on the interior surface  144  of the rear panel  140 . Alternatively, one or more of the interior surfaces  124  and  144  may include no preprinted messages, thus providing the gift-giver with a larger area to handwrite a personalize message. The front and rear panels  120  and  140  can be decorated in various colors to provide a pleasant or festive appearance. Images and decorative additions such as ribbons, lace, colored tissue paper, and the like may be included on one or more of the panels  120  and  140 . 
   Still referring to  FIG. 1 , a holding structure  160  is attached to the front surface  122  of the front panel. The holding structure is configured to retain a prepaid gift card  180  or the like in a position that is forward of the front panel  120 . As such, the greeting card  100  may be adjusted to a fully folded condition (see, for example,  FIG. 4 ) where the interior surfaces  124  and  144  of the front and rear panels  120  and  140  abut one another without interference from the holding structure  160  or the gift card  180 . In addition, the area for printing or writing a message on the interior surfaces  124  and  144  is not limited by the positioning of the gift card  180  or the holding structure  160 . For example, a preprinted communication may be printed in the “MESSAGE” area  146  while the complete area on the interior surfaces  124  and  144  is available for the gift-giver to handwrite a personalized message to the recipient. Furthermore, the holding structure  160  and the gift card  180  are prominently positioned on the front side of the greeting card  100  so as to draw the recipient&#39;s attention to the holding structure  160  and the gift retained therein. In such an embodiment, the gift card  180  is not necessarily in a secondary position to the front panel  120  of the greeting card  100 . Rather, the gift card  180  (which is may have a greater value to the recipient than the greeting card  100 ) is noticeably positioned forward of the front panel  120  such that the recipient may first receive the primary gift before unfolding the greeting card  100  to view any messages or images that are included on the interior surfaces  124  and  144 . 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the holding structure  160  is a collapsible bag structure that is sized to retain a prepaid gift card  180 . The bag structure  160  may be adhesively attached to the front surface  122  of the front panel  120  such that at least one surface  162  of the bag structure  160  faces opposite the front panel  120  of the greeting card  100 . One or more side sections  166  of the bag structure may include a fold line  167  to facilitate the collapsible motion of the bag structure  160 . In addition, the bag structure  160  may include one or more handles  168  so as to provide the appearance of a miniature gift bag or shopping bag. The bag structure  160  may be constructed of paper, cardstock, plastic, or any other suitable material. The handles  168  can be constructed of rope-like material, paper, decorative wire, or the like. The handles  168  may optionally be omitted. The bag structure  160  may have an image or words thereon, contributing to the overall pleasing appearance of the greeting card  100 . The shape of the structure  160  may provide a visually appealing appearance and an enjoyable method of delivering a prepaid gift card  180  to a recipient. 
   Because the structure  160  and the gift card  180  retained therein are prominently positioned for the recipient, the appearance of the holding structure  160  may conveniently incorporated into the theme of the greeting card  100 . For example, the holding structure  160  may have the appearance of a miniature shopping bag from the recipient&#39;s favorite retail establishment, and a prepaid gift card  180  from that retail establishment may be retained in the bag structure  160 . This “shopping” theme may be incorporated into the theme of the greeting card  100  by including the phrase “HAPPY BIRTHDAY . . . LET&#39;S GO SHOPPING!” or the like in the “TEXT” area  126  or the “MESSAGE” area  146  of the greeting card  100 . Furthermore, the name or trademark of the retail establishment may be printed on the forward surface  162  of the bag structure  160  and/or the gift card  180  so as to emphasize the “shopping” theme of the gift-giving event. 
   The holding structure  160  may also include a retention element (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), which operates to releasably retain the gift card  180 . For example, the handles  168  of the bag structure  160  may be adapted to be tied, snapped together, or otherwise secured so as to retain the gift card  180  in the bag structure  160 . Alternately, the dimensions and pleating in the bag structure  160  may be adapted to frictionally hold the gift card  180  of a predetermined size. As shown by way of example in  FIG. 6 , adhesive tape  163  with a release liner  164  or other conventional affixation means may be installed within the bag structure  160  to allow a gift-giver to releasably secure the gift card  180  in the bag structure  160  before presenting the greeting card  100  to the recipient. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the holding structure  160  is sufficiently sized to retain a prepaid gift card  180 , but may be smaller than the front panel  120 . Although the holding structure  160  is shown in  FIG. 2  as being approximately centered on the front panel  120 , other embodiments may include a holding structure  160  that is attached to the front panel  120  in an off-centered position. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , the rear surface  142  of the rear panel  140  may include pricing information, advertising information, trademark information, address information, and a bar code identifying the card. Other images or message may also be printed on the rear surface  142  of the back panel  140 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4–7 , the holding structure  160  is attached to the front panel  120  such that the holding structure  160  and any gift card  180  retained therein is positioned forward of the front panel  120 . The holding structure  160  may be attached to the front panel  120  by adhesives or by other attachment means. Alternatively, components of the holding structure  160  may be integrally formed with the front panel  120 . As shown in  FIGS. 4–7 , the greeting card  100  may be adjusted to a fully folded condition. The front and rear panels  120  and  140  may be adjusted to the fully folded condition such that the interior surfaces  124  and  144  abut one another without interference from the holding structure  160  or the gift card  180 . 
   The invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, the front and rear panels  120  and  140  shown in  FIG. 1  are rectangular in shape, and are substantially the same size. In other embodiments, the panels  120  and  140  may have alternative shapes such as the outline of an animal or cartoon character, and the panels  120  and  140  need not be the same size. Also, front panel  120  may consist of a double layer of material (or a larger panel doubled back on itself and attached thereto) to provide additional rigidity. Fold line  130  need not be a continuous fold line, but instead may be broken by gaps or cutouts into fold line sections in certain embodiments. 
   Furthermore, any number of folds or panels may be incorporated into the gift card construction. For instance, additional panels or folds may be used to create a tri-panel card construction. In one example shown in  FIG. 8 , the front and rear panels  120  and  140  may be interconnected with an intermediate panel  135  such that one fold line  136  connects the front panel  120  and the intermediate panel  135  and another fold line  137  connects the rear panel  140  and the intermediate panel  135 . 
   The greeting card embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  may have any orientation. For example, the depicted embodiment is typically referred to as a vertical or portrait orientation. Alternatively, horizontal or landscape orientations may be implemented. 
   Although the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  is configured to hold a prepaid gift card  180 , the holding structure  160  may also hold other gift items, such as monetary currency, banks checks, earrings, a bracelet, a necklace, a ring, or a watch. A personalized note may also be enclosed within the holding structure  160 . 
   Other embodiments of the holding structure  160  may have a construction and appearance other than the collapsible bag structure shown in  FIG. 1 . For instance, an envelope structure that is configured to retain a prepaid gift card may be attached to the front surface  122  of the front panel  120 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . The envelope structure  260  may have the appearance of miniature envelope (e.g., smaller than the typical letter-sized envelope), including a flap portion  268  that is hingedly connected along a fold line  269 . The flap portion  268  may be adjusted to a sealed position where the contents (e.g., gift card  180 ) of the envelope structure  260  are retained therein. The envelope structure  260  may be attached to the front panel  120  using adhesive or other attachment means such that the flap portion  268  faces forward of the front panel  120  and may be freely adjusted about the envelope fold line  269  to the sealed position. 
   In another example shown in  FIG. 10 , a box structure  360 , rather than the collapsible bag structure, may be attached to the front panel  120  of the greeting card  100 . The box structure  360  may be capable of retaining a prepaid gift card  180  and may have the appearance of a miniature gift box that is adorned with colored paper, ribbon, and other decorations. The box structure  360  may include an open top surface that is covered using a lid  368 . The lid  368  may be hingedly attached to (refer to  FIG. 10 ) or separable from the box structure. The box structure  360  may be attached to the front panel  120  of the greeting card  100  such that the lid  368  is adjustable to uncover the open top surface and reveal the contents therein (e.g., gift card  180 ). In some embodiments the box structure  360  may be attached to the front panel using adhesive or other attachment means. Alternativeiy, the box structure may be formed integrally with the front panel so that the box structure is positioned forward of the front surface  122  of the front panel  120 . 
   Further yet, the holding structure  160  may be a sleeve structure attached to the front surface  122  of the front panel  120 . The sleeve is capable of retaining a gift card  180  in a position forward of the front panel  120  and may resemble a miniature version of typical 9″×12″ open-ended envelopes. The sleeve may be attached to the front panel using adhesive or other attachment means or may be formed integrally with the front panel. 
   In another embodiment, the holding structure  160  may be a pocket structure that is attached to the front panel  120  of the greeting card  100 . The pocket structure may be formed by affixing a substantially planar piece of any suitable material, such as plastic, paper, or cardstock, to the front surface  122  of the front panel  120 . The pocket structure is capable of retaining a gift card  180  therein. For example, the pocket structure may be appropriately sized such that the gift card  180  is friction-fit to the pocket in a position that is forward of the front surface  122 . 
   In addition, the holding structure  160  may be a net-type pocket on the front surface  122  of the panel  120 . The net-type structure may be formed using lengths of string, cord, or the like. The net-type structure may be attached to the front surface  122  with adhesive or other attachment means. Alternatively, the net-type pocket structure may be attached to the front panel  120  by weaving the ends of the string through holes or grommets in the front panel  120  and securing the ends on the backside of the front panel  120 . 
   In some embodiments, more than one holding structure  160  may also be used on a single front panel  120 , and the multiple holding structures  160  may be configured to hold a gift item cooperatively. 
   A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.