US20130341217A1

US20130341217A1 - Greeting card and gift combination

Info

Publication number: US20130341217A1
Application number: US13/924,036
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael CHASAN; Selwyn Gishen
Original assignee: GIFT IN A CARD Co LLC
Current assignee: GIFT IN A CARD Co LLC
Priority date: 2012-06-21
Filing date: 2013-06-21
Publication date: 2013-12-26
Also published as: WO2013192542A1

Abstract

A packaging for presenting a greeting card and a gift includes a card having a front panel extending from a first end of the card to a first fold, a base extending from the first fold to a second fold, and a back panel extending from a second fold to a second end of the card. The card has a first surface with a message and a second surface with a wrapping paper design. The card has a first configuration in which the card at least partially covers a gift at least partially held on the base, with the first surface facing inward and the second surface facing outward, and a second configuration in which the first surface faces outward and the second surface faces inward.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an all in one greeting card, wrapper, and gift holder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

European Patent EP0220827 to Chandler discloses a substantially rectangular container for a T-shirt or other gift and, folding onto the front face of the container, a cover flap which forms, with the face, a greetings card having “Happy Birthday” or other appropriate greetings. U.S. Patent Publication 2006/0185201 to Fachon, III et at contains a similar disclosure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,496 to Davidson is likewise similar, the container forming a pouch.
In U.S. Pat. No. 8,104,670 to Mitchell, a gift container portion has a plurality of panels, in which at least one panel forms an oblique surface with respect to the remainder of the panels. The gift container preferably includes an integral device for securing a greeting card positioned on a first panel of the gift container.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,209,892 to Nielsen discloses a greeting card which includes a top horizontal panel and two vertical panels. The top horizontal panel is adhered to the vertical panels by means of adhesive tapes to form a receptacle for inserting over a gift. The vertical panels are designed in T-shirt shape including front and back surface for inputting personalized messages over it for imparting a personal touch while presenting the gift to a recipient. The greeting card is inserted over the neck of a wine or other spirit bottle, or gifts with similar neck configurations through a cutout orifice formed at the center of the top horizontal panel in the unfolded position.
U.S. Patent Publication 2010/0307933 to Nicholas discloses a compartment containing a gift, such as chocolates, jelly beans or any other type of gift. The invention has extension flaps which seal the inner compartment in order to hold the gift inside, and at the same time, make the package ready for posting. When received the removable or tear-off segments so the outer packaging can be removed, leaving a greetings card that can be stood up as a regular greeting card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a gift box or container containing a gift of a rose, and a card, together forming a package in accordance with the disclosure. As set forth in more detail below, the present invention contemplates use with other styles or types of gift, either with or without a gift container.

FIG. 2 shows the gift container placed on a base of a card prior to folding of the front and back panels.

FIG. 3 shows the package embodiment of FIG. 2 with the front and back panels folded and a tied ribbon holding the front and back panels in contact. This is referred to as the first configuration in the claims.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative package embodiment of the disclosure, in which the folding panels form a containing border to secure the gift, the gift including its own box, the folding panels opened.

FIG. 5 shows the boxed gift of the embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of FIG. 4, the folding panels folded upwards, and mutually secured with a ribbon.

FIG. 7 shows a sleeve or flange of the disclosure, which may be folded along transverse lines located as indicated by arrows, to form a bounding and containing border disposed about an interior or exterior of the folding panels, to contain a gift.

FIG. 8 shows a panel having two displayable sides, which may be folded to form inner or outer sides of a package of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows the reverse side of the card of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a card of the disclosure, including an integral sleeve or flange which may be folded together with panels having two displayable sides, to form a bounding and containing border.

FIG. 11 shows the reverse side of the card of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows a card which may be folded to form a rectangular container of the disclosure, positionable within a bounding or containing border of the package, thereby forming a supporting container for a gif.

FIG. 13 shows the rectangular container of FIG. 12, positioned within a containing border of a package of the disclosure, and containing a gift inserted through an opening of the rectangular container formed by slits.

FIG. 14 shows an alternative form of closure for folding panels of the disclosure, and a removable information tag.

FIG. 15 shows a method of forming a package of the disclosure, the package selected from a plurality of possible package components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a combined greeting card and gift holder comprises a card including a base configured and dimensioned to receive the gift holder, a front panel extending from one end of the base; and a back panel extending from an end of the base opposite that of the front panel, wherein the card has a first surface with a message and a second surface with a wrapping paper design; and wherein the card has a first configuration in which the card at least partially covers a gift at least partially held in the gift holder with the first surface facing inward and the second surface facing outward; and a second configuration in which the first surface faces outward and the second surface faces inward.
In various embodiments thereof, the combined greeting card and gift holder has an end portion of the front panel and an end portion of the back panel, which are in contact in both the first and second configurations.
In further embodiments thereof, a fastener is provided for maintaining the end portions of the front and back panels in contact; the fastener is a ribbon; each of the end portions of the front and back panels is provided with a hole for receiving the fastener; the card is a single piece of plastic, cardboard, or paper material with a first fold to define the base and front panel and a second fold to define the base and back panel; and, the base includes a flange, the flange configured and dimensioned to hold the gift holder. In another embodiment of the disclosure, a packaging for presenting a greeting card and a gift includes a front panel extending from a first end of the card to a first fold; a base extending from the first fold to a second fold; and a back panel extending from a second fold to a second end of the card, wherein the card has a first surface with a message and a second surface with a wrapping paper design; and wherein the card has a first configuration in which the card at least partially covers a gift at least partially held on the base with the first surface facing inward and the second surface facing outward; and a second configuration in which the first surface faces outward and the second surface faces inward.
In various embodiments thereof, the packaging has an end portion of the front panel and an end portion of the back panel in contact in both the first and second configurations; a fastener is provided for maintaining the end portions of the front and back panels in contact; the fastener is a ribbon; each of the end portions of the front and back panels is provide with a hole for receiving the fastener; and the base includes a flange, the flange configured and dimensioned to hold the gift on the base.
In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure, a gift display comprises an elongate card defining left and right ends, and top and bottom surfaces, and having a first fold defining a front panel extending between the first fold and the left card end; a second fold defining a back panel extending between the second fold and the right card end; a base defined between the first and second folds; the left and right ends mutually connectable when the front and back panels are folded along the first and second folds in a first direction to define a first interior open space defined by the card top surface, the first interior open space viewable from outside of the first interior open space; the left and right ends mutually connectable when the front and back panels are folded along the first and second folds in a second direction to define an alternate second interior open space defined by the card bottom surface, the second interior open space viewable from outside of the second interior open space; side portions positionable proximate the base, when the first interior space is defined, to retain a gift within the first interior space.
In various embodiments thereof, a fastener is provided connectable to the left and right ends to maintain the card folded in the first or second direction, to releaseably retain the left and right ends in mutual contact; the fastener is selected from the group consisting of elongate tie, snap fastener; each of the end portions of the front and back panels is provided with a hole for receiving the fastener; the card is a single piece of plastic, cardboard, or paper material; the gift display further includes a container for a gift, and wherein the base is sized to correspond to an outer dimension of the gift container; and the container contains at least one aperture for viewing the gift.
In yet further embodiments thereof, at least one of the top and bottom surfaces includes a blank area in which a personal message can be written; at least one of the top and bottom surfaces includes a preprinted message corresponding to an event selected from the group consisting of: holiday, personal event, and business event; the gift is a natural rose in a box; the gift is an electronic device.
In other embodiments thereof, the side portions are formed integrally from material of the card, and in one embodiment, the side portions are formed integrally from material of the card, a side portion extending from top and bottom ends of the card adjacent to the left and right ends of the card, the side portions including foldable portions.
In variations thereof, the side portions mutually engageable to form a containing perimeter; the side portions are foldable when the second interior space is defined, to form a platform below the base for supporting the gift holder.
In another embodiment, the side portions are formed from an elongate strip of material forming a perimeter, connectable to the card when the first or second interior space is defined; the gift display further includes a box formed by a flat panel cut to form foldable side portions and a gift insertion aperture, the aperture defined by slits which form panels foldable to support the gift in a predetermined orientation; and the fastener includes a first portion including a snap fastener portion having with an extension, and a second portion including a snap fastener portion having a receiver, the extension passable through apertures formed in the front and back panels.
In another embodiment of the disclosure, a gift display and gift is formed from a kit, the kit comprising a plurality of elongate cards defining left and right ends, and top and bottom surfaces, each card having a first fold defining a front panel extending between the first fold and the left card end; a second fold defining a back panel extending between the second fold and the right card end; a base defined between the first and second folds; the left and right ends mutually connectable when the front and back panels are folded along the first and second folds in a first direction to define a first interior open space defined by the card top surface, the first interior open space viewable from outside of the first interior open space; the left and right ends mutually connectable when the front and back panels are folded along the first and second folds in a second direction to define an alternate second interior open space defined by the card bottom surface, the second interior open space viewable from outside of the second interior open space; and side portions positionable proximate the base, when the first interior space is defined, to retain a gift within the first interior space; the top and bottom surfaces of the plurality of cards bearing one of a plurality of varying printed designs; and a plurality of gifts; a package formable from a selected card and a selected gift.
In a yet further embodiment of the disclosure, a gift display, comprises an elongate card defining left and right ends, and top and bottom surfaces, and having a first fold defining a front panel extending between the first fold and the left card end; a second fold defining a back panel extending between the second fold and the right card end; a base defined between the first and second folds; the left and right ends mutually connectable when the front and back panels are folded along the first and second folds in a first direction to define a first interior open space defined by the card top surface, the first interior open space viewable from outside of the first interior open space; the left and right ends mutually connectable when the front and back panels are folded along the first and second folds in a second direction to define an alternate second interior open space defined by the card bottom surface, the second interior open space viewable from outside of the second interior open space; side portions positionable proximate the base, formed integrally from material of the card, a side portion extending from top and bottom ends of the card adjacent to the left and right ends of the card, the side portions including foldable portions mutually connectable to form a perimeter to contain a gift.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As required, embodiments are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and that the systems and methods described below can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present subject matter in virtually any appropriately detailed structure and function. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the concepts.
The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as “connected,” although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
With reference to the Figures, and in accordance with the disclosure, the invention relates, in one embodiment, to form a package 10 by positioning a gift 200 onto a base 110 that is then surrounded by a reversible card 100, which has a base 114 from which extends two elongate sides 106, 108, each of which has two surfaces which can form a wrapper surface 102 which includes a decorative or wrapping paper design, and a greeting card surface 104 containing a message, disposed on the inside when the card 100 is folded to contain a gift.
On wrapper surface 102, the design can be printed, laminated, embossed, stamped, embellished, or otherwise provided with any known or hereinafter conceived decorative designs. A plurality of cards 100 can be provided at a point of sale, the cards 100 bearing any of a variety of such decorative designs. A package purchaser can select a desired card for forming a package, as described herein, the available designs further advantageously reflecting any of a wide variety of predictable occasions.
FIGS. 10-11 illustrate greeting card surface 102 and wrapper surface 104 of a card 100, respectively. Card 100 has integral folding flanges 110 that hold gift 200, which may be within a box or container 220, in place when package 10 is formed and ready for delivery or use. Flanges 110 is composed of left and right flaps 110A, 110B, each flap 110A having two or more slits 112A which are engageable with corresponding slits 112B formed in flap 110B. When slits 112A and 112B are engaged, flange 110 forms four sides of an upwardly opened box or perimeter extending from base 114 of card 100. To form the perimeter, flanges 110 are folded along lines 118A and 118B, the folded segments joining to form two completed opposing sides of the perimeter. The portions of flaps 110A and 110 B containing slits 112A, 112B thus extend in a direction towards ends 116 of card 100, and are folded back and inwards towards base 114 to connect slits 112A and 112B.
In another embodiment, card 100 does not have integral folding flange 110, but a separate perimeter sleeve 120 is provided, as may be seen in FIG. 7. Sleeve 120 can be sized to hide all or a portion of the gift 200, and if desired, can be provided in a color scheme or design that matches or otherwise coordinates with wrapper or greeting card surface 102, 104. Sleeve ends 122, 124 can be mutually attached by glue, staple, rivet, interlocking slits, or any other known or hereinafter developed method of attachment. Sleeve 120 can be sized to surround folded card 100 sides 106, 108, and may be provided with an adhesive, for example with a removable liner, for adhering sleeve 120 to an exterior surface of card surfaces 102. Alternatively, Sleeve 120 can be sized to fit within an interior of folded card 100 sides 106, 108, and may likewise be provided with an adhesive, for example with a removable liner, for adhering sleeve 120 to an interior surface of card surfaces 104. Other means of attaching sleeve 120 to card 100 may be provided, including for example pins, staples, snaps, or friction.
In the foregoing embodiment including a separate sleeve 120, card 100 does not include integral folding flange 110, as may be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this embodiment of card 100, as in other embodiments of card 100 described herein, card 100 is folded along transverse lines indicated by arrows in FIGS. 8-9. These fold lines define opposing ends of base 114.
While a greeting surface 104 and a wrapper surface 102 of card 100 are described, it should be understood that designs or indicia appearing upon surface 102, 104 may be the same or different, both surfaces 102, 104 may contain greeting the same or different greeting indicia, both surfaces 102, 104 may contain the same or different decoration. In an embodiment forming a greeting card, a typical configuration is to place a personalized greeting, for example a handwritten note and signature, on an interior portion. Accordingly, greeting surface 104 can be provided with a white or light colored region upon which such note may be placed. Further, wrapper surface 102 can contain a message which continues upon greeting surface 102. One example is a joke, humorous, or inspirational expression, revealed in stages as card 100 is folded open.
In an embodiment, shown in FIGS. 4-6, gift 200 includes an inner gift container 220, and an outer gift container 220A. As may be seen in FIG. 6, the assembled gift 200 is retained within package 10 by perimeter sleeve 120, although the assembled gift of FIG. 5 can be contained in any manner described herein.
As can be seen in FIGS. 3, 6, 13, and 15, card 100 sides 106, 108 are folded upward with respect to a surface upon which package 10 may be placed, and mutual contact along respective upper edges 116, forming an “A” shaped structure. In this manner, card sides 106, 108 form front and back surfaces of package 10, and are open along adjacent sides, so that portions of greeting surfaces 104 may be seen, and whereby container 220, containing gift 226 may be seen. In an embodiment, container 220 includes a window or opening 224, so that the contained gift object 226 may also be seen. Accordingly, both container 220 and at least a portion of gift 226 can be seen through the “A” shaped opening formed by sides 106, 108. Once used, card 100 and other components of package 10 can be folded back into a flat state from the deployed or “A” frame configuration, for storage as a memento.
In an embodiment, sides 106, 108 may be folded backwards, so that greeting surfaces 104 are disposed upon an exterior surface of package 10 where the note and other contents may be viewed, and wrapper surface 102 is disposed upon an interior of package 10. In this manner, card 100 may turned over, and base 114 positioned upon a surface. In one embodiment, folding flange 110 or separate perimeter sleeve 120 are positioned between sides 106, 108 and a supporting surface, whereby card 100 is elevated from the supporting surface. In an embodiment thereof, gift 200 may be disposed between the supporting surface and folding flange 110 or sleeve 120. In this manner, gift 200 supports flange 110 or sleeve 120, base 114 is supported above flange 110 or sleeve 120, and card surfaces 106, 108 extend upwardly from base 114.
Card 100 can be punched through sides 106, 108 at upper edges 116 to form overlapping holes 128, whereby sides 106, 108 can be secured together by an elongate tie, for example a ribbon 130, or any other suitable fastener. As one of ordinary skill will appreciate, there are other means for securing the two sides that do not utilize a punched hole through the sides, including for example tape, hook and loop fastener, or adhesive. In an embodiment of the disclosure, visible in FIGS. 13-15, a closure 140 includes first and second opposing fastener portions 142, 144, each bearing a mating portion of a snap connector 150. Snap connector 150 includes an extension portion 152 of sufficient length to pass through sides 106, 108, to engage a snap receiver portion 154. In the embodiment shown, portions 142, 144 are bows, however other objects may be used, including toys, cartoon figures, or any other object or representation. Further, only one of fastener portion 142, 144 may have an object or representation, and the other only a snap 150 portion 152 or 154. A removable price or information tag 160 can be interposed between snap portions 152, 154, thereby being easily removed before presentation of the gift.
The gift holder or container 220 can be configured and dimensioned to support a variety of products such as candles, perfumes, jewelry, wine, toys, and any other object that is sized and dimensioned to be supported by card 100. Objects may be larger than a space between card 100, and may have portions which extend to the side and above card 100. Gift container 220 can have a wide variety of configurations, each optimized to support and display a gift of particular dimensions. An example is found in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-13, in which a display support 240 is formed as a flat sheet that forms two pairs of opposing sides 242, 244. Flaps 246 are formed in sides 244, and are bendable to form a closed perimeter, together with bent opposing sides 242, 244. A support aperture 250 is defined from slits formed through support 240, the slits in this example cut to form four v-shaped portions 252, each of which may bend inwardly with respect to an interior of the closed perimeter formed by sides 242, 244. A gift 200, for example within a separate gift container 220A, may be inserted into aperture 250, to be thereby held in a display orientation, as depicted in FIG. 13.
With reference to FIG. 15, in an embodiment, holes 128 can be used to hang the card on a display unit 270 in a card section 272, for example in a flattened state for efficient display. Fasteners 130, 140 can be provided in a fastener section 274 of the display, and gifts in a gift section 276. Each section 272, 274, 276 can be further subdivided with respect to subtypes (e.g. flowers, toys, or electronics, such as a charger, phone, or digital player) displayed within. In this regard, an exemplary display unit can include three separate sections. One or more additional sections can be provided for alternative display elements, for example display support 240 and the like. In this manner, a customer can create a customized package 10 at a retail site hosting display 270, or an order fulfillment department can compose packages 10 pursuant to customer orders, for example website orders, by combining selected cards 100, gifts 200, and fasteners 130, 140, from among a variety of each. The resultant kit can be purchased and brought home for assembly, or may be assembled in the store. Similarly, a flattened kit can be shipped pursuant to a web order, to reduce shipping costs, or the kit may be preassembled to form package 10.
In one embodiment, cards 100 are packed single and folded flat with flange 110 folded inwards (if provided with a flange), or side 106 folded back against side 108, with a portion of surface 102 and a portion of surface 104 visible. In an exemplary embodiment, about ½ to about ¾ of surface 102 is visible, and some or all of side 104 can be made visible. In this manner, a customer can see at least a portion of surfaces 102, 104, while preserving space in display 270.
Card 100, perimeter sleeve 120, and display support 240, can be fabricated from a wide variety of materials, or composite materials, including paper, cardboard, polymeric material, metal, wood, synthetic material, woven material, or any other material which is foldable in accordance with the disclosure herein. The foregoing elements may be stamped, molded, cut, extruded, or otherwise formed and shaped as described herein in any known manner. Gifts 200 and gift container 220 can be formed of any material from which gifts are made, in any manner known or hereinafter developed.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure.
All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. There are many different features to the present disclosure and it is contemplated that these features may be used together or separately. Thus, the disclosure should not be limited to any particular combination of features or to a particular application of the disclosure. Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure might occur to those skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains. Accordingly, all expedient modifications readily attainable by one versed in the art from the disclosure set forth herein that are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure are to be included as further embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A gift display, comprising:

an elongate card defining left and right ends, and top and bottom surfaces, and having:

a first fold defining a front panel extending between the first fold and the left card end;

a second fold defining a back panel extending between the second fold and the right card end;

a base defined between the first and second folds;

the left and right ends mutually connectable when the front and back panels are folded along the first and second folds in a first direction to define a first interior open space defined by the card top surface, the first interior open space viewable from outside of the first interior open space;

the left and right ends mutually connectable when the front and back panels are folded along the first and second folds in a second direction to define an alternate second interior open space defined by the card bottom surface, the second interior open space viewable from outside of the second interior open space;

side portions positionable proximate the base, when the first interior space is defined, to retain a gift within the first interior space.

2. The gift holder of claim 1, further including a fastener connectable to the left and right ends to maintain the card folded in the first or second direction, to releaseably retain the left and right ends in mutual contact.

3. The gift holder of claim 2, wherein the fastener is an elongate tie.

4. The gift holder of claim 2, wherein each of the end portions of the front and back panels is provided with a hole for receiving the fastener.

5. The gift holder of claim 1, wherein the card is a single piece of plastic, cardboard, or paper material.

6. The gift holder of claim 1, further including a container for a gift, and wherein the base is sized to correspond to an outer dimension of the gift container.

7. The gift holder of claim 1, wherein the container contains at least one aperture for viewing the gift.

8. The gift holder of claim 1, wherein at least one of the top and bottom surfaces includes a blank area in which a personal message can be written.

9. The gift holder of claim 1, wherein at least one of the top and bottom surfaces includes a preprinted message corresponding to an event selected from the group consisting of: holiday, personal event, and business event.

10. The gift holder of claim 1, wherein the gift is a natural rose in a box.

11. The gift holder of claim 1, wherein the side portions are formed integrally from material of the card.

12. The gift holder of claim 1, wherein the side portions are formed integrally from material of the card, a side portion extending from top and bottom ends of the card adjacent to the left and right ends of the card, the side portions including foldable portions.

13. The gift holder of claim 11, the side portions mutually engageable to form a containing perimeter.

14. The gift holder of claim 11, the side portions foldable when the second interior space is defined, to form a platform below the base for supporting the gift holder.

15. The gift holder of claim 1, wherein the side portions are formed from an elongate strip of material forming a perimeter, connectable to the card when the first or second interior space is defined.

16. A gift display and gift formed from a kit, the kit comprising:

a plurality of elongate cards defining left and right ends, and top and bottom surfaces, each card having:

a base defined between the first and second folds;

the left and right ends mutually connectable when the front and back panels are folded along the first and second folds in a second direction to define an alternate second interior open space defined by the card bottom surface, the second interior open space viewable from outside of the second interior open space; and

side portions positionable proximate the base, when the first interior space is defined, to retain a gift within the first interior space;

the top and bottom surfaces of the plurality of cards bearing one of a plurality of varying printed designs; and

a plurality of gifts;

a package formable from a selected card and a selected gift.

17. A gift display, comprising:

a base defined between the first and second folds;

side portions positionable proximate the base, formed integrally from material of the card, a side portion extending from top and bottom ends of the card adjacent to the left and right ends of the card, the side portions including foldable portions mutually connectable to form a perimeter to contain a gift.

18. The gift display of claim 17, the side portions foldable when the second interior space is defined, to form a platform below the base for supporting the gift holder.

19. The gift display of claim 17, further including a fastener connectable to the left and right ends to maintain the card folded in the first or second direction, to releaseably retain the left and right ends in mutual contact.

20. The gift display of claim 17, wherein the card is a single piece of plastic, cardboard, or paper material.