GB2592281A

GB2592281A - Greetings card

Info

Publication number: GB2592281A
Application number: GB2008356.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Seal Derren
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-02-18
Filing date: 2020-06-03
Publication date: 2021-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 2040-06-03
Also published as: GB202002223D0; WO2021165638A1; GB2592281B; GB202008356D0

Abstract

A greetings card comprises a single piece or card having two folds, defining a first panel 1 linked to a second panel 2 by a first fold 4, and a third panel 3 linked to the second panel by a second fold 5. The second fold is reversible and arranged so that in a first display position, an outward facing face 6 of the first panel is exposed to view and in a second despatch position one or more adhesive regions 9 on the third panel releasably adhere the third panel to the outward facing face of the first panel. One or more removable coverings 10 releasably adhere to the one or more adhesive regions, whereby removal of the one or more removable coverings permits the one or more adhesive regions to releasably adhere the third panel to the outward facing face of the first panel. A flap (16, Figure 3) may be provided on the first or third panel to permit the third panel to be secured to the first to hold the card in an erected position. The folds may be parallel or non-parallel. Methods of sending and receiving a message are also disclosed.

Description

GREETINGS CARD

This invention relates to greetings cards.

By "greetings card" is meant a card for sending a message, which may for example be associated with a place [e.g. postcards], a regular event [e.g. birthdays and anniversaries], special events [e.g. congratulations on a new job or qualification, in sympathy for a bereavement, congratulation on a marriage or engagement], or even just to send one's best wishes. The present invention is not limited to these examples, as the range of greetings cards continues to expand.

Greetings cards generally comprise a folded piece of card that forms a front page bearing an image or appropriate message, inner pages that may bear a message or be blank for signature, and a back page that is normally either blank or bears details of the manufacturer. Such cards are normally sold with an envelope for housing the card when posted.

To the retailer greetings cards are a problem. Different greetings cards come in different sizes, with different envelopes that can become detached or misplaced. Commonly a greetings card and its envelope may come in a plastic sleeve, but this adds yet more packaging that has to be disposed of.

What is required is a greetings card that is not readily separable from its envelope at retail premises and avoids the use of further packaging.

The present invention provides a greetings card comprising * a single piece of card having two folds, the folds defining a first panel linked to a second panel by a first fold, and a third panel linked to the second panel by a second fold * one or more adhesive regions on the third panel * one or more removable coverings releasably adhered to the one or more adhesive regions the first fold being arranged so that the first panel comprises an outward facing face having a periphery, and an inward facing face opposed to the second panel the second fold being arranged so that * in a first position the panels and the one or more adhesive regions are arranged in the relative order first panel, second panel, third panel, one or more adhesive regions, whereby the outward facing face of the first panel is exposed to view * in a second position the panels and the one or more adhesive regions are arranged in the relative order third panel, one or more adhesive regions, first panel, second panel, whereby removal of the one or more removable coverings permits the one or more adhesive regions to releasably adhere to the outward facing face of the first panel, whereby at least the periphery of the outward facing face of the first panel is covered by the third panel.

Further features of the invention are described in the appended claims and in the following illustrative description with reference to the drawings in which:-Fig. 1 is a sketch showing a greetings card in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sketch showing an alternative greetings card illustrating features of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a sketch showing an alternative greetings card illustrating further features of the invention. Figs. 4 to 6 show a prototype card in accordance with the present invention.

In Fig 1 a greetings card comprises a first panel 1, second panel 2, and third panel 3 formed in a piece of card by parallel folds 4 and 5. Fold 4 lies between the first panel land the second panel 2; folds lies between the second panel 2 and third panel 3. Fold S is shown as perforated to permit easy separation along the fold, but this is not essential to the function of the card. Other forms of weakening of folds [e.g. scoring] are also acceptable, and indeed Figs. 4-6 show a form of the card in which the third panel 3 is not separable.

First panel 1 has an outward facing face 6 and inward facing face 7, the inward facing face 7 being opposed to an inward facing face 8 of the second panel 2.

The third panel 3 comprises an adhesive region 9 covered by a removable covering 10 releasably adhered to the adhesive region 9.

In the position shown at the top and middle of Fig. 1, (a retail display position) folds 4 and 5 are folded in opposite sense so that the panels and the adhesive region are arranged in the relative order first panel, second panel, third panel, adhesive region. In this position the card is suitable for display in a retailers, so that the public can see the outward facing face 6, and by opening the card also see the inward facing face 7 of the first panel land the inward facing face 8 of the second panel 2.

In the position shown at the bottom of Fig. 1, (a mailing position) folds 4 and 5 are folded in the same sense ready for the removable covering 10 to be removed so that the adhesive strip 9 can adhere to the outward facing face 6 of the first panel 1. When secured in this manner the panels and the adhesive region are arranged in the relative order third panel, adhesive region, first panel, second panel, and the outward facing face of the first panel is protected by the third panel. In this position the card is ready to mail. In other words, fold 4 remains folded so that the inward facing face 7 of the first panel 1 faces the inward facing face 8 of the second panel 2; whereas folds is reversible so that it may fold back as in the position shown at the top and middle of Fig. 1, or forward as in the position shown at the bottom of Fig. 1. To facilitate this movement the fold 5 may comprise two or more closely parallel folds of opposite orientation, or it may be scored on both sides. The invention does not depend upon which mechanism is used to achieve this function.

As shown in Fig. 1 an address panel is shown on face 11 of the third panel 3, but alternatively it is possible for the address panel to be on an outer face 12 of the middle panel.

The adhesive regions are preferably peelable so that when received the third panel can be peeled away from the first panel, ideally leaving no adhesive on the outward facing face 6 of the first panel 1. Ideally the adhesive regions have a greater adhesion to the third panel than to the first panel.

When received the third panel may be left attached to the card, or may be separated along folds and discarded.

Fig 2 illustrates some variations on the invention. Features disclosed my be combined with other features from the embodiment of Fig. 1. In Fig.2 like integers are referred with like numbers but with suffix '. In Fig 2 first, second, and third panels 1',2',3' are triangular and folds 4' and 5' nonparallel. Two adhesive regions 9' are shown.

Third panel 3' comprises an aperture 13 leaving a frame 14, so that when folded the frame 14 protects the periphery of the outward facing face of the first panel.

Fig 3 illustrates some variations on the invention. Features disclosed my be combined with other features from the embodiments of Fig. 1 and/or Fig. 2. In Fig.3 like integers are referred with like numbers but with suffix ". In Fig 3 the first, second and third panels 1",2", and 3" are generally rectangular and the fold 4" and 5" perpendicular. The first, second and third panels 1",2", and 3" are of differing sizes, with third panel 3" being slightly larger than second panel 2', and third panel 3" being slightly larger than second panel 2". When the card is in position for mailing, the third panel 3" this projects beyond the edges of first panel 1", so providing added protection to first panel When received, rather than being detached, the third panel 3" may serve as a base to support panels 1" and 2" in an erected position for display by the recipient. For this purpose an adhesive region 9" may be re-adhered to edge 1" or other securing means [e.g. flap 16 (shown on the third panel 3", but could be on the first panel 1"), or separate adhesive region 17] may be provided to secure the panels 1" and 2" in erected position.

Figs. 4 to 6 illustrate another variant of the invention in which a portion 18 of the third panel 3 bears adhesive 9 and can be folded after delivery.

Fig. 4 shows the greetings card in retail position with the third panel 3 being in a generally flat orientation and not folded. Fold 5 is folded so that the third panel 3 lies against the second panel 2 Fig. S shows the greetings card with fold S reversed so that the third panel 3 lies against the first panel 1, and with the third panel 3 being in a generally flat orientation and not folded, so that the adhesive 9 is ready to adhere to first panel 1.

Fig. 6 shows the card after delivery, and in which portion 18 has been folded about line 19 so that adhesive 9 can be secured to second panel 2. This eliminates any need to remove third panel 3.

Many other variants of the invention can readily be appreciated from the above illustrative description and the appended claims; but in all variants the present invention solves the problem of separate envelopes that may be lost at the retailer, and generally reduces the amount of waste.

Claims

Claims 1. A greetings card comprising * a single piece of card having two folds, the folds defining a first panel linked to a second panel by a first fold, and a third panel linked to the second panel by a second fold * one or more adhesive regions on the third panel * one or more removable coverings releasably adhered to the one or more adhesive regions the first fold being arranged so that the first panel comprises an outward facing face having a periphery, and an inward facing face opposed to the second panel the second fold being arranged so that * in a first position the panels and the one or more adhesive regions are arranged in the relative order first panel, second panel, third panel, one or more adhesive regions, whereby the outward facing face of the first panel is exposed to view * in a second position the panels and the one or more adhesive regions are arranged in the relative order third panel, one or more adhesive regions, first panel, second panel, whereby removal of the one or more removable coverings permits the one or more adhesive regions to releasably adhere the third panel to the outward facing face of the first panel, whereby at least the periphery of the outward facing face of the first panel is covered by the third panel.
2. A greetings card as claimed in Claim 1, in which when the second fold is in the second position, and the third panel releasably adhered to the outward facing face of the first panel, the entire extent of the outward facing face of the first panel is covered by the third panel.
3. A greetings card as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the third panel is larger in overall extent than the first panel.
4. A greetings card as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the second fold is weakened in comparison to the first fold, whereby the third panel may be separated from the second panel by tearing the second fold.
5. A greetings card as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a flap is provided on the first or third panel to permit the third panel to be secured to the first panel to hold the card in an erected position.
6. A greetings card as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first fold and the second fold are parallel
7. A greetings card as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, in which the first fold and the second fold are non-parallel.
8. A greetings card as claimed in Claim 7, in which the third panel provides a base to the first and second panels when the card is in an erected position.
9. A greetings card as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least one of the adhesive regions on the third panel is on a foldable portion of the third panel, that can be folded to permit the at least one of the adhesive regions to adhere to the second panel.
10. A method of sending a message comprising:- * addressing a greetings card as claimed in any preceding claim * removing the one or more removable coverings * releasably adhering the third panel to the outward facing face of the first panel with the one or more adhesive regions * despatching the greetings card.
11. A method of receiving a message comprising:- * receiving a greetings card as claimed in any preceding claim; * releasing the adhesive on the third panel from the first panel; and either * detaching the third panel from the second panel; or * folding a foldable portion on the third panel so that the at least one of the adhesive regions to adhere to the second panel.