GB2432557A

GB2432557A - Greetings card that can be used as an envelope.

Info

Publication number: GB2432557A
Application number: GB0524096A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Laura Marion Leigh
Original assignee: BELGRAVE GRAPHICS Ltd
Current assignee: BELGRAVE GRAPHICS Ltd
Priority date: 2005-11-26
Filing date: 2005-11-26
Publication date: 2007-05-30
Also published as: GB0524096D0

Abstract

A greetings card suitable for use as an envelope is formed from a stiff sheet or card material including a main portion 12, at least two flap portions 16a, 18, 20, 22, which are separated from the main portion by crease lines 16a,18a 20a, 22a, the flap portions being foldable into a folded position that at least partially overlays the main portion. Sealing means are provided for sealing the flap portions in the folded position. These may be slot 22 and tab 24. A seal or sticker (26, figure 3) may be affixed over folded flaps 14,16 using a low tack adhesive.

Description

I

Dual Purpose Greetings Card This invention relates to a dual purpose greeting card, with particular reference to a greeting card that can also be used as an envelope.

Greetings cards are near ubiquitous items of commerce, which are typically supplied with a separate and matching envelope.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a greetings card suitable for use as an envelope formed from a stiff sheet material including a main portion, at least two flap portions which are separated from the main portion by crease lines, the flap portions being folded into a folded position that at least partially overlays the main portion, and sealing means for sealing the flap portions in the folded position.

The present inventors have recognised that the prior art arrangements, in which a greetings card is provided with a separate envelope, require an additional manufacturing process in order to provide the envelope, with a concomitant increase in manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the present inventors have recognised that these prior art arrangements require the greetings card to be closed and then placed inside the envelope, which, if not an arduous exercise, does require a number of operations to be made by the user.

The prior art method of placing a greetings card inside an envelope can be time consuming, particularly if a large number of greetings cards are being signed.

The present invention overcomes these problems by providing a greetings card which can be used as its own envelope.

The sheet material should be sufficiently stiff that the greetings card is able to stand alone in its unfolded state prior to folding into the folded position, and should be stiffer than commonly used writing papers. Preferably, the sheet material is a card or card-like material, which might be coated or uncoated.

Sheet-like materials commonly used in greetings cards, or materials of similar stiffness might be utilised. Alternatively, relatively heavy papers might be utilised.

Preferably, the flap portions include a pair of side flaps spaced apart by the main portion.

Advantageously, the flat portions include a top flap and a bottom flap spaced apart by the main portion. Most preferably, the flap portions include a pair of side flaps spaced apart by the main portion, and the top flap and a bottom flap spaced part by the main portion.

Preferably, the sealing means includes a seal or sticker placeable over at least one of the flap portions. Alternatively, one or more of the flap portions may have an adhesive disposed thereon.

Preferably, the flap portions include coupling means for coupling two or more folded flap portions together. The coupling means may include a slot formed in one flap portion, which in the folded position is engageable by a tab portion formed on another flap portion. Preferably, the slot and tab portions are formed on the pair of side flaps.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts suitable for use as an envelope including: a greetings card formed from a stiff sheet material including a main portion and, at least two flap portions which are separated from the main portion by crease lines, the flap portions being foldable into a folded position that at least partially overlays the main portion; and sealing means for sealing the flap portions in the folded position.

The kit of parts can be assembled to produce a greetings card in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, and it will be understood that the second aspect of the invention can include any of the features of the first aspect of the invention.

In one embodiment, a kit of parts includes a plurality of greetings cards provided with a plurality of sealing means. The kit may be contained within any suitable package, such as a presentation box.

Greetings cards and kits of parts in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of a greetings card of the invention in its unfolded state; Figure 2 is a front view of the greetings card with Figure 1 in its folded state; and Figure 3 shows the folded greetings card of Figure 2 when sealed.

Figure 1 shows a greetings card 10 of the invention which is formed from a card or card-like material. Coated or uncoated board might be used, and coated board is coated with a suitable finish, such as a varnish, preferably a water based varnish. The greetings card 10 comprises a generally square main area 12, side flaps 14, 16, top flap 18, and bottom flap 20. The side flaps 14, 16, top flap 18, and bottom flap 20 are separated from the main area 12 by respective crease lines 14a, 16a, 18a, 20a which allow each flap to be foldable.

The side of the main area 12 not shown in Figure 1 is used to indicate the address to which the greetings card is to be sent. Suitable text and/or indicia may be printed on to the reverse side of the main area 12 or otherwise provided.

Such indicia and/or text may include an area defined where a postage stamp should be affixed and an address panel. Typically, the side of the main area 12 shown in Figure 1 has a suitable design printed or otherwise provided thereon.

The design can be of any desired type, and might include images, graphics, logos, text, combinations of these features, or any other desired indicia or ornamentation, such as glitter or stamped foil. Alternatively or additionally, a design may be printed or otherwise provided on any or all of the side flaps 14, 16, top flap 18, and bottom flap 20. In one embodiment, the top flap is used to indicate the intended recipient of the greetings card, and the bottom flap 20 is used to indicate who the greetings card is from. When the greetings card 10 has been completed, it is folded in order to assemble the greetings card 10 in a configuration suitable for use as an envelope. Firstly, the top flap 18, and bottom flap 20 are folded inwardly to overlay portions of the main area 12, and then the side flaps 14, 16 are folded so as to partially overlay the main area 12, folded top flap 18 and bottom flap 20. Conveniently, the side flap 14 is provided with a slot and the side flap 16 is provided with a tab that, when the side flaps 14, 16 are folded, is positioned in the slot 14 so as to assist in securing the greetings card 10 in its folded state. Conveniently, both the slot 22 and tab 24 can be produced by a relatively simple action such as cutting, scoring or stamping. Figure 2 depicts the greetings card 10 in its folded stage. Typically, a suitable design will be printed on one or both of the faces of the side flaps 14, 16 that are visible in Figure 2, i.e. that comprise the exterior of the greeting card 10 in its folded state. The folded greeting card is additionally sealed in its folded configuration, thus providing an arrangement that is suitable secure for use as an envelope through a postal system. Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment in which a seal or sticker 26 is affixed over the folded side flaps 14, 16. A low tack adhesive is particularly useful in this regard.

On receipt of the envelope/greetings card by the addressee, the seal is broken and the card unfolded so as to assume its unfolded state as shown in Figure 1. The material that the card is made from should be sufficient thick and stiff that the card can stand up on its own right. A board quality of 24Ogsm is suitable for use in the present invention, although it is anticipated that board having lower values might be suitable as well.

It is envisaged that pluralities of greeting cards (possibly ten or more) will be sold together in a suitable form of packaging, such as a box. A suitable number of low tack seals/stickers will be provided in the box. There are many variations in the shape of the greeting card which would readily occur to the skilled reader. For example, the main area may be rectangular or of a different shape all together. The flaps may be square, rectangular, curved, domed or any other convenient shape. It is possible to dispense with one or both of the top and bottom flaps, and it is not necessary that the flaps that substantially overlay the main area in the folded state are spaced apart by the main area. In contrast, for example, these flaps may meet at a common vertice of the main area. For example, the main area may be triangular, with side flaps depending from two sides of the triangle formed by the main area.

Claims

Claims 1. A greetings card suitable for use as an envelope formed from

a stiff sheet material including a main portion, at least two flap portions which are separate from the main portion by crease lines, the flap portions being foldable into a folded position that at least partially overlays the main portion, and sealing means for sealing the flap portions in the folded position.

2. A greetings card according to claim 1 in which the flap portions include a pair of side flaps spaced apart by the main portion.

3. A greetings card according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the flap portions include a top flap and a bottom flap spaced apart by the main portion.

4. A greetings card according to claim 3 when dependent on claim 2 in which the flap portions include a pair of side flaps spaced apart by the main portion and a top flap and a bottom flap spaced apart by the main portion.

5. A greetings card according to any previous claim in which the sealing means includes a seal or sticker placeable over at least one of the flap portions.

6. A greetings card according to any previous claim in which the flap portions include coupling means for coupling two or more folded flap portions together.

7. A greetings card according to claim 6 in which the coupling means include a slot formed in one flap portion which, in the folded position, is engageable by a tab portion formed on another flap portion.

8. A greetings card according to any previous claim in which the sheet material is a card or card-like material.

9. A kit of parts suitable for use as an envelope including: a greetings card formed from a stiff sheet material including a main portion and at least two flap portions which are separated from the main portion by crease lines, the flap portions being foldable into a folded position that at least partially overlays the main portion; and sealing means for sealing the flap portions in the folded position.

10. A greetings card or kit of parts substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.