GB2586311A

GB2586311A - A keepsake card

Info

Publication number: GB2586311A
Application number: GB2006772.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Morning Daniel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-05-07
Filing date: 2020-05-07
Publication date: 2021-02-17
Also published as: GB202006772D0; IE20200092A1

Abstract

A keepsake card comprising a front sheet 3, rear sheet 9, an adhesive layer (15, figure 1b), and a viewing window 19 in the front sheet coincident with a display area (21, fig.1b) on the back sheet. The memorial card is configured to hold a personal memento (23, fig.1f) such as ashes or cremains, a lock of hair, a fingerprint or paw print, in the display window. A peelable strip 17 covers the adhesive to enable placing of a commemorative item between the window and display area prior to sandwiching the adhesive between the front and rear sheets. The adhesive layer comprises a transparent sheet with adhesive on both sides of the transparent sheet. The transparent sheet is pre-bonded to the front sheet in the area of the front sheet surrounding the viewing window, and the area of the transparent sheet corresponding to the viewing window on the side of the transparent sheet adjacent the front side is free of adhesive. The front and back sheets may be made from polyester film to reduce tearing. The back sheet may be rigid plastic, and the front sheet may be flexible vinyl sheet.

Description

"A keepsake card"

Introduction

This invention relates to a keepsake card.

The passing of a loved one is a traumatic experience for those left behind. Different people handle grief in different ways however for many, it is comforting for them to carry a personal memento of the deceased on their person as a reminder of their loved one.

Often, this is a photograph of the deceased or a lock of their hair. It has also been proposed to store some of the departed loved one's ashes in a piece of jewellery that may be worn by the grieving person.

However, not all people like wearing jewellery and there can be a fear that the lock of hair or ashes may be lost if the jewellery were to inadvertently open unexpectedly.

Furthermore, photographs fade over time and although soothing, it is often preferable to have something more personal than a photograph to remember the deceased by.

More recently, various offerings have been proposed that allow a grieving person to securely store some of the ashes of a loved one in a credit card-sized receptacle that is intended to fit into a wallet or purse. One such offering is that described in United States Patent No. US7,861,385 entitled "Perpetual memorial card" in the name of Meyer. This device allows for the ashes, or cremains, to be securely held in the card without fear of inadvertent release. It also allows the personal memento to be carried on their person without requiring the person to wear jewellery.

Although the device described in US7,861,385 is a very useful alternative to the existing offerings and provides a more secure receptacle for cremains than previous offerings, it is believed that there are some aspects that could perhaps be improved upon. First of all, the device is specifically directed towards storing ashes and therefore is somewhat limited in its application. Some mourners may prefer different personal mementos to remember their loved ones by and it would be useful to cater for their needs. Secondly, the device is relatively intricate in its construction, which can lead to higher costs and difficulty in assembly. -2 -

In addition to the foregoing, there are a number of display cards that are used to display photographs or other items. United States Patent No. US5,303,487, entitled "Window display card" in the name of Olson, describes a display card that can receive and retain a photograph or other picture for display. United Kingdom Patent Application Publication No. GB2,155,440 entitled "A display package and method of assembly" in the name of Maunder et al describes a package for display of parasitic insects. United States Patent No. US4,662,093 entitled "Photograph carrying postcard" in the name of Suttles et al. describes a postcard that may receive and retain a photograph therein that has an aid for correct alignment of the photograph. Chinese Registered Utility Model No. CN2,633,574Y entitled "Mounting and collecting card" in the name of Liu, discloses a card operable to mount a picture between two sheets of board. United Kingdom Patent Application Publication No. GB2,443,176 entitled "Greeting card with ready mounted photograph" in the name of Richards, discloses a greeting card that can receive a photograph. The photograph may be removed and replaced with another photograph if desired or the greeting card can be reused. None of these offerings provide the required flexibility of use, low cost of manufacture, and/or ease of construction.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a keepsake card that overcomes at least some of the above-identified problems. It is a further object of the present invention to provide the consumer with a useful alternative to the existing offerings.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided a keepsake card comprising a front sheet having a front side and a rear side, a backing sheet having a front side and a rear side, an adhesive layer on one of the front sheet's rear side and the backing sheet's front side so that when the front sheet and the rear sheet are brought into engagement with each other, the adhesive layer is sandwiched between the front sheet and the rear sheet, a sacrificial strip releasably mounted on the adhesive layer covering the adhesive layer, a viewing window in the front sheet coincident with a display area on the backing sheet's front side, the keepsake card being configured to capture a personal memento of a loved one between the display area and the viewing window so that when the sacrificial strip has been removed and the front sheet and backing sheet are bonded together by the adhesive layer therebetween, the personal memento is visible through the viewing -3 -window, and in which the adhesive layer comprises a transparent sheet with adhesive on both sides of the transparent sheet, the adhesive layer's transparent sheet is pre-bonded to the front sheet in the area of the front sheet surrounding the viewing window, and the area of the transparent sheet corresponding to the viewing window on the side of the transparent sheet adjacent the front side is free of adhesive.

By having such a keepsake card, the person that has experienced a bereavement may carry a personal memento of the lost loved one with them on their person. The keepsake card is ideally credit card sized and therefore will fit in a wallet or purse and can be taken out to view and reminisce whenever they feel the need to do so. Importantly, the keepsake card is of a very simple construction and will be easy to make and inexpensive to manufacture. Furthermore, the keepsake card is suitable to receive a number of disparate types of personal mementos including, but not limited solely to, a fingerprint, a lock of hair, and/or ashes. In addition, the adhesive layer comprising a transparent sheet is seen as a useful way of providing the adhesive layer as it will allow the personal memento to be viewed through the transparent sheet while still being securely held in position in the card with no danger of the personal memento being separated from the card and potentially lost.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a keepsake card in which the front sheet and the backing sheet are connected together by a living hinge. This is seen as a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention. In this way, the keepsake card will be even easier to construct as the two sides of the card will align up perfectly together each time. This will result in a product with a better, more aesthetically pleasing finish.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a keepsake card in which there is provided a second viewing window in the front sheet, the keepsake card being configured to capture a personal memento of a loved one between the display area and the second viewing window so that when the sacrificial strip has been removed and the front sheet and backing sheet are bonded together by the adhesive layer therebetween, the personal memento is visible through the second viewing window. This is seen as a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, by having a second viewing window, a photograph of the deceased or the like may be placed in the first viewing -4 -window while their personal memento, such as their ashes, fingerprint or lock of hair may be viewed through the first viewing window. This will provide an even greater sense of connection with the deceased and a more meaningful connection for the bereaved.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a keepsake card in which the area of the transparent sheet corresponding to the second viewing window on the side of the transparent sheet adjacent the front side is free of adhesive.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a keepsake card in which the second viewing window is larger than the first viewing window, the second viewing window being dimensioned to receive a photograph or other indicia therein for display therethrough. This is seen as a particularly preferred embodiment in which a photograph of the deceased person may be put on display beside their ashes, fingerprint or lock of hair.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a keepsake card in which the sacrificial strip is provided with a cut corresponding to the viewing window to allow the portion of the sacrificial strip corresponding to the viewing window to be removed separately from the remainder of the sacrificial strip. This is seen as a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention. By having a sacrificial strip with the cut corresponding to the viewing window, it will be possible for a caretaker or individual constructing the card to carefully adhere cremains in the desired location, and treat the ashes with due reverence. Additionally, this will ensure that the ashes are not spread over parts of the card remote from the viewing window leading to an uneven-looking finish to the front of the card.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a keepsake card in which the display area is delineated from the remainder of the backing sheet's front side. This will allow the person manufacturing the card to carefully align the fingerprint, ashes or lock of hair on the card before bringing the front sheet and backing sheet together, ensuring that the personal memento is in the correct position for viewing through the viewing window.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a keepsake card in which the display area comprises an intermediate layer bonded onto the backing sheet. Again, this -5 -will provide a clear indicator of where the personal memento is to be positioned and will allow the portion for reception of the personal memento being tailored to suit the type of personal memento being used. For example, a more absorbent type of material may be advantageous if the personal memento is to be a fingerprint while the remainder of the keepsake card may be constructed from a tear-resistant material that would be less receptive to the fingerprint.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a keepsake card in which the display area is constructed from an absorbent material operable to receive a fingerprint. 10 In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a keepsake card in which the display area is provided with an adhesive coating. This is seen as another useful embodiment of the present invention. By having a display area with an adhesive coating, the personal memento may be positioned and staged on the display area prior to bringing the two sides of the card together and in this way, it may be easier to position the personal memento in the manner desired.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a keepsake card in which the display area is constructed from a contrasting material to the front sheet.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a keepsake card in which the front sheet and the backing sheet are constructed from a polyester film material. This is seen as a useful material to use as it will be sufficiently robust and will not be prone to tearing.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a keepsake card in which the personal memento is a fingerprint. Alternatively, the personal memento is a lock of hair. As a further still alternative, the personal memento is cremation ashes. -6 -

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figures 1(a) to 1(g) are views of a first embodiment of keepsake card according to the invention; Figures 2(a) to 2(e) are views of a second embodiment of keepsake card according to the invention; Figures 3(a) to 3(f) are views of a third embodiment of keepsake card according to the invention; and Figures 4(a) to 4(e) are views of a fourth embodiment of keepsake card according to the invention.

Referring to Figures 1(a) to 1(g), there is shown a keepsake card, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, comprising a front sheet 3 having a front side 5 and a rear side 7, and a backing sheet 9 having a front side 11 and a rear side 13. An adhesive layer 15 is provided on the front sheet's rear side 7 so that when the front sheet and the rear sheet are brought into engagement with each other, the adhesive layer is sandwiched between the front sheet and the rear sheet. A sacrificial strip 17 is releasably mounted on the adhesive layer 15 covering the adhesive layer.

The keepsake card further comprises a viewing window 19 in the front sheet 3 coincident with a display area 21 on the backing sheet's front side 11. The keepsake card 1 is configured to capture a personal memento 23, 25 of a loved one between the display area 21 and the viewing window 19 so that when the sacrificial strip 17 has been removed and the front sheet 3 and backing sheet 9 are bonded together by the adhesive layer 15 therebetween, the personal memento 23, 25 is visible through the viewing window 19. The front sheet 3 and the backing sheet 9 are connected together by way of a living hinge 27 as illustrated best in Figures 1(a) to 1(e). The living hinge 27 is -7 -effectively a fold line in a unitary sheet of material located centrally, turning the unitary sheet into two parts (the front sheet and backing sheet) of equal size and shape.

Referring sequentially to each of Figures 1(a) to 1(g) inclusive, in Figure 1(a) there is shown a front view of the keepsake card in an opened configuration showing the front side 5 of the front sheet 3 and the rear side 13 of the backing sheet 9. The front side 5 of the front sheet 3 has indicia printed thereon. This can be a decorative design, a thoughtful message, or individualized information about the deceased. Although not shown, the rear side 13 of the backing sheet 9 may also have indicia printed thereon.

In Figure 1(b), the sacrificial strip 17 that is used to cover the adhesive layer 15 is shown covering the majority of the rear side 7 of the front sheet 3. In Figure 1(c), the sacrificial strip 17 is shown to have a tab 29 that extends beyond the edge of the front sheet that may be grasped by a user to peel the sacrificial strip 17 away. In Figure 1(d), the sacrificial strip is gradually peeled back to expose the adhesive layer 15 therebelow. In Figure 1(e) the sacrificial strip 17 is peeled back further to expose the viewing window 19. It can be seen from Figure 1(e) that the viewing window is in alignment with the display area 21. The viewing window 19 is smaller than the display area however this is not limiting and they may be the same or different sizes.

In Figure 1(f) the keepsake card is shown in a constructed state with a fingerprint as the personal memento 23 visible through the viewing window 19. In Figure 1(g), the keepsake card is again shown in a constructed state but instead of a fingerprint, the personal memento 25 comprises some ashes of the deceased. Instead of ashes and fingerprint, a lock of hair may be positioned therein. The ashes or the lock of hair can be adhered to the adhesive sheet 15 adjacent to the viewing window 19. Similarly, for the fingerprint, the finger may be placed on an ink pad or similar before being placed onto the display area. Once the desired keepsake is in position, the remainder of the sacrificial strip 17 may be removed, exposing the entire adhesive layer 15 and the front sheet 3 and the backing sheet 9 may be brought together and secured together by the adhesive layer 15.

Referring to Figures 2(a) to 2(e), there is shown a method of constructing a second embodiment of keepsake card, indicated generally by the reference numeral 31, where -8 -like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. In this embodiment, the front sheet is more flexible than the front sheet of the embodiment shown in Figures 1(a) to 1(g). However, the technique described would work well with a more rigid front sheet such as that shown in the embodiment shown in Figures 1(a) to 1(g).

In Figure 2(a), the front sheet 3 is peeled backwards exposing a double cut sacrificial sheet 17. The double cut sacrificial sheet 17 has a cut 33 in the area of the sacrificial sheet that corresponds to the viewing window on the front sheet 3. In Figure 2(b) the part of the sacrificial sheet 17 surrounded by the cut is removed at can be seen that it is a heart shaped section however this is not limiting, the viewing window and the cut could be other shapes). The remainder of the sacrificial sheet remains in situ for the time being.

In Figure 2(c), an undertaker or other person constructing the keepsake card delicately applies ashes to the exposed heart-shaped portion of the adhesive layer 15. The ashes will adhere to the adhesive layer. The ashes are applied using a cotton bud however this is not limiting and other applicators could be used instead. Care is taken not to get excess ash on the card or to spill excess ash. In Figure 2(d), the remainder of the sacrificial strip 17 is removed, exposing the remainder of the adhesive layer 15. The front sheet 3 and the rear sheet are then brought together and bonded together by the adhesive layer, as illustrated in Figure 2(e).

Referring now to Referring to Figures 3(a) to 3(f), there is shown a method of constructing a third embodiment of keepsake card, indicated generally by the reference numeral 41, where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. In this embodiment, the front sheet is more flexible than the front sheet of the embodiment shown in Figures 1(a) to 1(g). However, the technique described would work well with a more rigid front sheet such as that shown in the embodiment shown in Figures 1(a) to 1(g).

In Figure 3(a), the front sheet 3 is peeled backwards exposing a double cut sacrificial sheet 17. In much the same way as described in relation to the embodiment shown in Figures 2(a) to 2(e) inclusive, the double cut sacrificial sheet 17 has a cut 33 in the area of the sacrificial sheet that corresponds to the viewing window on the front sheet 3. -9 -

However, in this embodiment, the sacrificial sheet need not necessarily be a double cut sheet and could be a single cut sheet. In Figure 3(b), the deceased's thumb is brought into engagement with an ink pad 43. In Figure 3(c), the deceased's thumb that has been inked is then brought into contact with the display area 21, leaving an ink imprint of the deceased thumb on the display area.

In Figure 3(d), the part of the sacrificial sheet 17 surrounded by the cut is removed (it can be seen that it is a heart shaped section however this is not limiting, the viewing window and the cut could be other shapes). The remainder of the sacrificial sheet remains in situ for the time being. In Figure 3(e) the remainder of the sacrificial sheet 17 is peeled away, exposing the remainder of the adhesive layer 15. The front sheet 3 and the rear sheet 9 are then brought together and bonded together by the adhesive layer, as illustrated in Figure 3(f).

Referring to Figures 4(a) to 4(e), there is shown a method of constructing a fourth embodiment of keepsake card, indicated generally by the reference numeral 51, where like parts have been given the same reference numeral as before. In this embodiment, the front sheet is constructed from a similar rigid material to the front sheet of the embodiment shown in Figures 1(a) to 1(g). The embodiment shown differs from the previous embodiments in that the front sheet 3 has a second viewing window 53 therein.

The viewing window 53 is particularly suitable for viewing a photograph of a loved one.

Referring to Figure 4(a), the sacrificial strip 17 is peeled away to reveal the adhesive layer 15 on the rear side 7 of the front sheet 3. Referring to Figure 4(b), a photo 55 is provided for placement over the second viewing window 53. In Figure 4(c), the sacrificial strip 17 has been removed and in Figure 4(d), the photo 55 is carefully aligned with the second viewing window before being pressed downwardly onto the adhesive layer on the rear side 7 of the front sheet 3. Once the photo 55 is in position and the ashes, fingerprint or other personal memento has been placed on the display area 21 for viewing through the first viewing window, the front sheet 3 and the backing sheet 9 are brought together and pressed together to bond the two sheets together. The finished article is shown in Figure 4(e).

-10 -It will be understood that the second viewing window, although shown as a rectangular shape is not so limited and could be a different shape including, but not limited to, a circular, elliptical or other shape. Indeed, although a photograph is shown, other indicia may be provided for viewing in the second viewing window 53 including, but not limited to a prayer, a poem, a picture of a sacred heart or other religious symbol that provides comfort and/or particular meaning to the bereaved individual. Indeed, it may include a combination of two or more of the above components if desired.

In the embodiments shown, the adhesive layer comprises a transparent sheet and this is seen as useful as the ashes, the fingerprint or the lock of hair will be retained securely in position without fear of being lost. Furthermore, the materials used for the front and the backing sheet are preferably polyester film material, such as, but not limited to, NeverTear0 material as provided by Xerox Corporation of Connecticut, United States of America. The clear transparent sheet forming part of the adhesive layer could also be NeverTear® material.

Throughout the specification, reference has been made to a fingerprint. However, this should be construed to include a thumbprint. The word fingerprint has been used for simplicity but this will be understood to also include a thumbprint. In addition, reference is made to human hairs and human cremation ashes however it will be understood that the remains or the hairs may be from a pet or animal such as a dog, cat, horse or other loved animal. Instead of a fingerprint, a paw print, a partial paw print or indeed a nose print could be used for the animal instead of the fingerprint.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 2(a) to 2(e) inclusive and 3(a) to 3(t) inclusive, the front sheet is constructed from a flexible vinyl sheet, more flexible than the more rigid backing sheet 9 which is preferably constructed from a substantially rigid plastic material. Although useful, particularly when the personal memento is a fingerprint, paw print or other print or a body part of the loved one or pet, there is the downside to these embodiments that when hair or ashes are provided as the personal memento, when the front sheet and the backing sheet are sealed together, this may result in a "bumpy" front sheet which is undesirable and would be unacceptable to many. However, in the embodiments shown in Figures 1(a) to (g) inclusive, the front sheet and the backing sheet are both constructed from a substantially rigid material. This is highly advantageous as when the front sheet and the backing sheet are sealed together with hair or ash as the personal memento therebetween, the front sheet and the front surface of the keepsake card will remain reasonably flat and smooth, resulting in a pleasing finish.

In this specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" and the terms "include, includes, included and including" are all deemed interchangeable and should be afforded the widest possible interpretation.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

-12 -Claims: (1) A keepsake card comprising a front sheet having a front side and a rear side, a backing sheet having a front side and a rear side, an adhesive layer on one of the front sheet's rear side and the backing sheet's front side so that when the front sheet and the rear sheet are brought into engagement with each other, the adhesive layer is sandwiched between the front sheet and the rear sheet, a sacrificial strip releasably mounted on the adhesive layer covering the adhesive layer, a viewing window in the front sheet coincident with a display area on the backing sheet's front side, the keepsake card being configured to capture a personal memento of a loved one between the display area and the viewing window so that when the sacrificial strip has been removed and the front sheet and backing sheet are bonded together by the adhesive layer therebetween, the personal memento is visible through the viewing window, and in which the adhesive layer comprises a transparent sheet with adhesive on both sides of the transparent sheet, the adhesive layer's transparent sheet is pre-bonded to the front sheet in the area of the front sheet surrounding the viewing window, and the area of the transparent sheet corresponding to the viewing window on the side of the transparent sheet adjacent the front side is free of adhesive.(2) A keepsake card as claimed in claim 1 in which the front sheet and the backing sheet are connected together by a living hinge.(3) A keepsake card as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which there is provided a second viewing window in the front sheet, the keepsake card being configured to capture a personal memento of a loved one between the display area and the second viewing window so that when the sacrificial strip has been removed and the front sheet and backing sheet are bonded together by the adhesive layer therebetween, the personal memento is visible through the second viewing window.(4) A keepsake card as claimed in claim 3 in which the area of the transparent sheet corresponding to the second viewing window on the side of the transparent sheet adjacent the front side is free of adhesive.-13 - (5) A keepsake card as claimed in claim 3 or 4 in which the second viewing window is larger than the first viewing window, the second viewing window being dimensioned to receive a photograph or other indicia therein for display therethrough.(6) A keepsake card as claimed in any preceding claim in which the sacrificial strip is provided with a cut corresponding to the viewing window to allow the portion of the sacrificial strip corresponding to the viewing window to be removed separately from the remainder of the sacrificial strip.(7) A keepsake card as claimed in any preceding claim in which the display area is delineated from the remainder of the backing sheet's front side.(8) A keepsake card as claimed in any preceding claim in which the display area comprises an intermediate layer bonded onto the backing sheet.(9) A keepsake card as claimed in any preceding claim in which the display area is constructed from an absorbent material operable to receive a fingerprint.(10) A keepsake card as claimed in any preceding claim in which the display area is provided with an adhesive coating.(11) A keepsake card as claimed in any preceding claim in which the display area is constructed from a contrasting material to the front sheet. 25 (12) A keepsake card as claimed in any preceding claim in which the front sheet and the backing sheet are constructed from a polyester film material.(13) A keepsake card as claimed in any preceding claim in which the personal memento is a fingerprint.(14) A keepsake card as claimed in claims 1 to 12 in which the personal memento is a lock of hair.-14 - (15) A keepsake card as claimed in claims 1 to 12 in which the personal memento is cremation ashes.