GB2575084A

GB2575084A - Greetings card

Info

Publication number: GB2575084A
Application number: GB201810612A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas David; Southall Christopher
Original assignee: Fosco Hayes Hurdley Ltd
Current assignee: Fosco Hayes Hurdley Ltd
Priority date: 2018-06-28
Filing date: 2018-06-28
Publication date: 2020-01-01
Also published as: GB201810612D0

Abstract

A greetings card comprises a multi-panel greeting card body 105, said body comprising a plurality of faces. At least one of the faces is adorned with a message 110 to a card recipient; and at least a portion of the message 120 is printed in an ink that is invisible in a normal standard visible spectrum of light. The message may be printed in ultraviolet (UV) ink and the card may be provided with a UV light source 201 to irradiate the message. The UV light source may be activated using a marked segment 150, activated by a sound such as the recipient clapping their hands, applying a heat source such as a user’s finger or an activation means (305, Fig.3) to activate the light source upon opening the card. The light source may be a UV LED.

Description

DESCRIPTION

GREETINGS CARD

Field

The present invention relates to a greetings card/pack and method producing thereof. In particular, it relates to a greetings card with at least a portion of a message printed in an ink that is invisible in a normal standard visible spectrum of light.

Background

Greetings cards are a well-known commodity, used for many different occasions. Typically, they comprise a message on one or more faces of the card. Premium greetings cards can include sounds effects or music being played on opening the card, or flashing lights activated by pressing a switch. In some cards, the novelty value of the additional (often unexpected) additional visual/aural stimulation adds to the value of the message portrayed by the sender to the recipient.

Many greetings cards contain humorous messages, with some not appropriate for all readers (such as young children). This can limit the appeal of such greeting cards for certain retailers.

Accordingly, the present invention aims to at least ameliorate the above mentioned issues.

Summary

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a greetings card comprising a multi-panel greeting card body. The card body may comprise a plurality of faces, wherein at least one of the faces is adorned with a message to a card recipient. At least a portion of the message adorning the card may be printed in an ink that is invisible in a normal standard visible spectrum of light (also referred to as ‘invisible’ ink).

The use of a ‘secret’ message that is not visible in a normal standard visible spectrum of light allows such messages to be initially hidden from the recipient, and only viewable under defined circumstances. This adds to the visible stimulation and pleasure for the recipient upon unearthing the secret message.

In some embodiments the ‘invisible’ ink is visible in the ultraviolet light spectrum.

The message may be printed onto the at least one face by at least one of digital printing, lithography, and/or screen printing. Other printing techniques may be used, such as letterpress printing.

Digital printing is the process of printing a digital-based image directly onto the media in question. It is commonly associated with small-run jobs from desktop publishing and other digital sources. These can be printed using large-format and/or high-volume laser or inkjet printers. Digital printing has a higher cost per page than more traditional offset printing methods, but this price is usually offset by avoiding the cost of the technical steps required to make printing plates for alternative methods such as lithography and screen printing. Digital printing also advantageously provides on-demand printing, short turnaround time, and the possibility of a modification of the image used for each printing run.

Lithography is a method of printing whereby the image of the content to be printed is transferred from a metal plate to the surface to be printed. Offset lithography, where the inked image is transferred from the plate to a rubber blanket, and then to the surface to be printed on, is common in newspaper production and other mass-produced media.

Another alternative printing technique is screen printing. A mesh is used to transfer ink onto a substrate. Ink is prevented from being transferred in areas covered by a blocking stencil. A blade or squeegee is moved across the screen to fill the open mesh apertures with ink, and a reverse stroke then causes the screen to touch the substrate momentarily along a line of contact. This causes the ink to wet the substrate and be pulled out of the mesh apertures, remaining on the substrate as the screen springs back into place after the blade has passed.

A portion of the message to the card recipient may be printed such that is visible in a normal standard visible spectrum of light.

The ‘visible’ portion of the message may be printed with CMYK or Spot Colour ink. Alternatively, the ‘visible’ portion of the message may be printed on the card body by the process of foiling, wherein a film is adhered to the surface of the card body.

The card body may comprise a single sheet of card. This card may have a thickness of 300 to 500 gsm, preferably around 400 gsm.

The greetings card may further comprise an ultraviolet (UV) light source. The ultraviolet light source may be integrated with the card body. For example, the ultraviolet light source may form part of a design on the front face of the greetings card. Alternatively, the ultraviolet light source may be disposed on an opposite face of the card body to the message in ‘invisible’ ink. The message and ultraviolet light source may be disposed on the internal faces of the card body. An advantage of providing the is reduction of the number of components required by a user - there is no risk of the user misplacing the UV light source, which could then mean the user can no longer read the ‘invisible’ message.

The ultraviolet light source may be activated by opening the card. Alternatively, the ultraviolet light source may be activated by applying pressure to a portion of the card. Applying pressure to a portion of the card (which may optionally be marked to indicate this action to a user) may close a switch to complete a circuit comprising a power source, the ultraviolet light source and the switch.

The ultraviolet light source may emit light with a wavelength of between 300 nm and 500 nm, and optionally or preferably between 390 nm and 420 nm.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a greeting pack, comprising the greetings card of any embodiment of the first aspect and a separate ultraviolet light source. An advantage of providing an ultraviolet light source separately is the removal of the requirement to integrate a UV light source. This leads to reduction in complexity of designing and producing the greetings card, and reduced cost of producing the card.

The ultraviolet light source may be a UV torch. Alternatively the ultraviolet light source may be a UV LED.

The greeting pack may further comprise a badge attached to the greetings card, wherein the badge comprises the UV LED.

The greeting pack may further comprise an envelope for enveloping said card and said ultraviolet light source, said envelope comprising means to activate the ultraviolet light source such that removal of the card from the envelope activates the ultraviolet light source

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of producing the greetings card of the first aspect, comprising the steps of:

printing a message on at least one portion of a card body; and folding the card such that the message is displayed on either an external ‘front’ face or an interior face.

At least a first portion of the message may be printed in ink that is invisible in a normal standard visible spectrum of light, and optionally a second portion of the message may be printed in ink visible in a standard visible spectrum of light.

The card body may be provided on a sheet. In this case, the method further comprises the step of cutting the printed body from the sheet prior to folding the card. An advantage of providing the card body on a sheet is that multiple cards can be produced simultaneously, offering an option for mass-production and reduced overhead costs per card produced.

The printing may be performed using at least one of digital printing; lithography; and/or screen printing.

The ‘invisible’ ink used to print the first portion of the message may be visible in an ultraviolet spectrum of light.

The printing process may be multi-layer. The first portion of the message (the ‘invisible’ portion) may be printed as a second layer after printing the second portion of the message (the ‘visible’ portion). Alternatively, the second portion of the message may be printed as a second layer after printing the first portion of the message.

A finishing layer may be printed on top of the ink layer. Advantageously, this may provide protection to the greetings card, potentially increasing the stiffness and/or the resistance to staining and dirt. The finishing layer may also give the card a “glossy” look, making the card appear more up-market.

The method may further comprise the step of integrating the ultraviolet light source with the card body. Advantages of this have been discussed in relation to the first aspect, but are repeated here for the sake of completeness. Integrating the UV light source reduces the number of components required by a user - there is no risk of the user misplacing the UV light source, which could then mean the user can no longer read the ‘invisible’ message.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from, and elucidated with reference to, the embodiments described hereinafter.

Brief description of Drawings

Embodiments will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figures 1A and 1B illustrate schematic views of an example greetings card, with and without the ‘invisible’ portion of the message revealed;

Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of an alternative greetings card;

Figure 3 illustrates a schematic view of a further alternative greetings card; and Figure 4 illustrates an example method 1000 for producing the greetings card of Figure 1

It should be noted that the Figures are diagrammatic and not drawn to scale. Relative dimensions and proportions of parts of these Figures have been shown exaggerated or reduced in size, for the sake of clarity and convenience in the drawings. The same reference signs are generally used to refer to corresponding or similar feature in modified and different embodiments.

Detailed description of embodiments

Figure 1A illustrates a schematic view of an example greetings card 100. A message 110 is displayed on the front face 106 of the card body 105. The message 110 may be printed in CMYK ink, spot colour ink, or foiled on the card body 105, and is visible in a normal standard visible spectrum of light. The card body 105 may comprise a folded sheet of card of thickness within the range of 300 to 500 gsm, preferably around 400 gsm.

Figure 1B illustrates the same example greetings card 100, illuminated by an ultraviolet light source 200. The ultraviolet light source 200 emits light with a wavelength of between 300 nm and 500 nm, and optionally or preferably between 390 nm and 420 nm. In addition to message 110, a secret message 120 is visible. The ‘invisible’ ink in the secret message 120 is printed in is visible in the ultraviolet light spectrum.

In this case, the secret message 120 is designed to change the tone of the card 100, and provide a humorous contrast. This provides a secondary stimulation to the recipient. As discussed previously, having a secret message 120 also enables the greetings card 100 to be displayed in conventional retailers with reduced risk of complaints from customers that may take offence.

In Figure 1B, the ultraviolet light source 200 is a UV torch, provided separately. Alternatives include, but are not limited to, UV LEDs attached to a keyring or badge that may be provided with the card (not shown).

Alternatively, an ultraviolet light source 201 may be provided as part of the card 100, integrated into the card body, as illustrated in Figure 2. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the UV light source 201 is activated by applying pressure to a marked segment 150 of the card 100. Alternatively, the UV light source 201 may be activated by a sound, such as the recipient clapping their hands, or by applying a heat source, such as applying a finger to a defined point of the card to warm up this point, causing creation of an electrical circuit to power the UV light source.

Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment, where a message is displayed on an interior face 108 of the card body 105. An ultraviolet light source 300 is disposed on an opposite face 107 of the card body 105. An activation means 305 is provided such that the UV light source 300 is activated on opening the card 100 past a defined point, revealing a previously invisible message 120 alongside visible message 110.

Figure 4 illustrates an example workflow of a method 1000 for producing the greetings card of Figure 1. Step 1100 comprises providing a sheet of thickness within the range of 300 to 500 gsm, preferably around 400 gsm. In step 1200, a design including at least a first portion of a message is printed onto the sheet. The method of printing may be or include at least one of digital printing, lithography or screen printing. Step 1300 comprises printing a second portion in ink that is invisible in a standard normal visible spectrum of light. It can be appreciated that steps 1200 and 1300 are interchangeable depending on multiple factors, such as whether the designs will overlap. Additionally, if the printing technique allows, then steps 1200 and 1300 could be performed simultaneously. Optional step 1400 comprises printing a finishing layer on top of the printed portions. Step 1500 comprises cutting the sheet to size to form a card body. It can be appreciated that this step is not required if the sheet is already at the desired size before printing. Step 1600 comprises folding the card body. The card is then packaged with a UV light source and envelope at step 1700.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to the skilled person. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of, or in addition to, features already described herein.

Although the appended claims are directed to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the 10 prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom.

For the sake of completeness it is also stated that the term comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, the term a or an does not exclude a 15 plurality, and reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A greetings card comprising:

a multi-panel greeting card body, said body comprising a plurality of faces;

wherein at least one of the faces is adorned with a message to a card recipient; and wherein at least a portion of the message is printed in an ink that is invisible in a normal standard visible spectrum of light.

2. The greetings card of claim 1, wherein the ink is visible in the ultraviolet light spectrum.

3. The greetings card of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the message is printed onto the at least one face by at least one of:

digital printing;

lithography; and/or screen printing.

4. The greetings card of any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the message is printed such that it is visible in a normal standard visible spectrum of light.

5. The greetings card of any preceding claim, further comprising an ultraviolet light source.

6. The greetings card of claim 5, wherein the ultraviolet light source is integrated with the card body.

7. The greetings card of claim 6, wherein the ultraviolet light source is disposed on an opposite face of the card body to the message.

8. The greetings card of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the ultraviolet light source is activated by either:

opening the card; or applying pressure to a portion of the card.

9. The greetings card of any preceding claim, wherein the ultraviolet light source emits light with a wavelength of between 300 nm and 500 nm, and optionally or preferably between 390 nm and 420 nm.

10. A greeting pack, comprising:

the greetings card of any of claims 1 to 9; and an ultraviolet light source.

11. The greeting pack of claim 10, wherein the ultraviolet light source is a UV torch.

12. The greeting pack of claim 11, wherein the ultraviolet light source is a UV LED.

13. The greeting pack of claim 12, further comprising a badge attached to the greetings card, and wherein the badge comprises the UV LED.

14. The greeting pack of any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the ultraviolet light source emits light with a wavelength of between 300 nm and 500 nm, and optionally or preferably between 390 nm and 420 nm.

15. The greeting pack of any one of claims 10 to 14, further comprising an envelope for enveloping said card and said ultraviolet light source, said envelope comprising means to activate the ultraviolet light source such that removal of the card from the envelope activates the ultraviolet light source.

16. A method of producing a greetings card according to any one of claims 1 to 9, said method comprising the steps of:

printing a message on at least one portion of a card body, wherein::

at least a first portion of the message is printed in ink that is invisible in a normal standard visible spectrum of light, and optionally a second portion of the message is printed in ink visible in a standard visible spectrum of light;

folding the card such that the message is displayed on either an external ‘front’ face or an interior face.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the card body is provided on a sheet, and wherein the method further comprises the step of:

cutting the card body from the sheet prior to folding the card.

18. The method of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein printing is performed using at least one of:

digital printing;

lithography; and/or screen printing.

19. The method of any preceding method claim, wherein the ink that is invisible in a normal standard visible spectrum of light is visible in an ultraviolet spectrum of light.

20. The method of any preceding method claim, wherein the printing is multi-layer, and wherein the first portion of the message is printed as a second layer after printing the second portion of the message.

21. The method of any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the printing is multi-layer, and wherein the second portion of the message is printed as a second layer after printing the first portion of the message.

21. The method of any preceding method claim, further comprising: printing a finishing layer on top of the ink layer.

22. The method of any preceding method claim, further comprising the step 5 of:

integrating an ultraviolet light source with the card body.