WO2003064171A1

WO2003064171A1 - Flat vase, flat container and method for manufacturing a card with container

Info

Publication number: WO2003064171A1
Application number: PCT/NL2003/000062
Authority: WO
Inventors: Margreet Keijer
Original assignee: Margreet Keijer
Priority date: 2002-01-29
Filing date: 2003-01-29
Publication date: 2003-08-07
Also published as: NL1019854C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a greeting card (1) with container, for instance a greeting card (1) comprising a resilient material (3) and provided with at least one writable (2) or printable surface, wherein the card is provided with a bag-shaped container (4), which can receive water. This card can then also be used as container, for instance as vase. An endless band is assembled by connecting together a strip or resilient material along at least one side edge. A bag-shaped container is fixed to least two. When the endless band is provided with at least two side edges, a card is then formed in a substantially two-dimensional plane. Moving the side edges toward each other changes the card into a container, for instance. a vase or a cup

Description

FLAT VASE , FLAT CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A CARD WITH CONTAINER

The invention relates to a greeting card comprising a resilient material, provided with at least one writable or printable surface and with a bag-shaped - container which can receive a substance. The invention 5 also relates to a container blank and a method for manufacturing a card with bag-shaped container.

Greeting cards which are provided with a message and which can be sent are generally known. A greeting card has a substantially two-dimensional form and is 0 assembled from a writable/printable material such as paper or cardboard. This material is also resilient.

Known from FR-1,203, 430 is a postcard which consists of a number of parts mutually connected via a fold line. On the inside of a middle part an image is 5 arranged behind a frame which is fixed to that part around its periphery. Between the border and the inside can be arranged a transparent tube in which water is received. Looking at the image through the frame and the tube with water, a user will perceive an optical effect. 0 Known greeting cards are limited in use. After reading the message, the recipient cannot use the greeting card further and the greeting card is ι discarded.

The invention has for its object to provide a 5 greeting card which, in addition to transmitting a greeting message, fulfills another functional application.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the greeting card has at least two adjacent 0 surfaces, between which the bag-shaped container is arranged. A greeting card of a known flat form is hereby obtained, wherein the bag-shaped container is arranged in protected manner between the adjacent surf ces. When the container is filled with a liquid, for instance water, the greeting card can also be used as container, for instance as vase. Filling with soil produces a flowerpot . The greeting card according to the invention is for instance sent with a bunch of flowers. The greeting card then not only transmits the message of the sender, but can also be used as vase for the flowers. The message which the sender wishes to convey to the recipient hereby also remains present for longer, since the greeting card is still used visibly as a vase after receipt. The bag-shaped container is a container provided with an opening, so that the container can be filled. The greeting card is preferably provided with connecting means which fix the container to the greeting card. The container is hereby held in place between the adjacent surfaces. The container is connected to the greeting card with connecting means. Possible connecting means are glue, wire and other means known to the skilled person. In one embodiment connecting means are arranged close to the opening of the container. In a further embodiment the container is connected along the opening to at least one of the adjacent surfaces. In a preferred embodiment the connecting means is formed by an 0-shaped ring preferably arranged close to the opening of the container. A very cost-effective and simple connection is hereby formed between the card and the container. In a preferred embodiment connecting means are arranged which connect the adjacent surfaces to each other such that at least a tube is formed in which the container is received and that an opening of the tube connects to an. opening of the container. A greeting card is hereby provided, the container of which can be filled with water and the tube therearound can support the water mass .

It is favourable that the greeting card has at least two side edges, wherein connecting means connect the two adjacent surfaces to each other along at least one side edge. The surfaces hereby form an endless band or the tube between which the container is arranged. The card has a substantially two-dimensional form with at least two side edges. The two adjacent surfaces can be formed by one surface which is folded, wherein the fold forms the side edge of the greeting card, or be formed by two separate surfaces. Connecting means such as glue or another known connecting means then connect the surfaces along one respectively two side edges, wherein a substantially two-dimensional form is defined by the card.

In a preferred embodiment the greeting card has a flat card position in which the greeting card is substantially two-dimensional, and the greeting card has an upright position in which the container can be filled with water. The greeting card can hereby be sent in the card position, wherein the greeting card according to the invention differs only slightly in form from known greeting cards, and the greeting card can be brought into an upright position after receipt, wherein the container is filled with a liquid or solid such as for instance water, so that the greeting card can be used as vase .

The container preferably contains a flexible material, such as for instance a plastic. The container can hereby be deformed together with the greeting card of resilient material.

The adjacent surfaces of the greeting card can preferably move apart between the two side edges, wherein the container becomes accessible. In this manner it is possible to convert the greeting card from the card position to the upright position. In the upright position the side surfaces have a tube or pillow form. When the greeting card is formed by two adjacent surfaces with the container therebetween, the greeting card is brought from the substantially flat card position into the upright position by moving the side edges of the greeting card toward each other, whereby the surfaces are moved apart . The container arranged therebetween becomes accessible. The container can be filled with water. Surprisingly, the water-filled container co-acts with the resilient surfaces of the greeting card, which are pushed apart under the influence of gravity on the water. The greeting card takes on a tubular or pillow-like upright position, whereby the greeting card as vase can even properly support a large bunch of flowers.

It is favourable that the greeting card has at least one substantially straight edge which in the upright position forms the contact edge with a supporting surface. In the upright position, the container can thus be filled with water. The greeting card will herein make contact with a supporting surface, for instance a table. It is favourable when this contact edge of the greeting card is substantially straight. This is the lower edge of the upright greeting card.

The greeting card preferably comprises cardboard. This material is resilient and strong. The resilience enables deformation of the greeting card. The material is also strong enough to support a bunch of flowers which is arranged in the water-filled container.

In a preferred embodiment the opening of the container is arranged close to an upper edge of the greeting card. Via the opening of the container water can be carried into the' container and flowers, water or other objects can be placed in the container. Available connecting means ensure that the opening of the container follows the form of the upper edge of the surfaces . The greeting card preferably comprises support means for retaining the upright position. It is hereby possible, even when no water is arranged in the container, to retain the upright position. The support means, for instance a base for the greeting card in the upright position, will cause the greeting card to retain the upright position so that the container can be filled. In a manner known to the skilled person, the base can be folded such that the base is automatically formed when the greeting card is folded out from the flat card position to the upright position.

The material of the greeting card is preferably at least partly water-repellent, for instance in that a coating is arranged. The material of the greeting card will hereby not be damaged when it comes into contact with water. A cardboard layer is preferably used which is provided on one side with a coating (polyethylene) . The coating is preferably arranged on the sides of the surfaces which are mutually facing. The outer side is printed and/or finished with a UV lacquer. According to another embodiment, the cardboard layer comprises a synthetic paper. This paper is resistant to water. The inward directed side is without finish, while the outer side is printed and optionally finished with a UV lacquer. The greeting card preferably contains a biodegradable material . The greeting card according to the invention hereby has less of an impact on the environment when the greeting card is thrown away. The container preferably comprises closing means. The container is for instance formed by a plastic bag with a closing edge.

In the preferred embodiment the container contains a plant nutrient. This advantageously avoids a florist having to add a plant nutrient to a bunch of flowers, along with which the greeting card is sent. The plant nutrient is now arranged in the greeting card.

The invention also relates to a container blank comprising a resilient material and a bag-shaped container. According to the invention the container blank has a flat card position in which the container blank is substantially two-dimensional, and an upright position in which the container blank can be filled. The container blank can hereby be used as liquid container or container for a solid material. The container blank can for instance be used as cup. The container blank can be provided with the said characteristics of a greeting card according to the invention. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a greeting card with container, comprising of providing a resilient material, mutually connecting the resilient material along at least one side edge such that an endless band is manufactured. The invention is characterized by arranging a bag-shaped container and forming at least two side edges in the endless band such that a card is formed in a substantially two-dimensional plane. A card is hereby obtained which can also be used as container, for instance as vase. In the starting position the card is substantially two-dimensional. The card can be formed by two surfaces of resilient material which are connected to each other along two side edges. The adjacent surfaces then form a substantially two- dimensional card. The container is arranged on the card. A fold line is preferably arranged in the resilient material. A resilient material can hereby be used which is folded along the seam, thereby providing two surfaces which are mutually connected on one side edge so that an endless band is produced.

In the preferred embodiment the container is connected to the greeting card such that access to the container is obtained by moving the surfaces of the endless band away from each other. The container hereby becomes accessible. In order to open the container forces are exerted on the side edges. The container is therefore damaged less.

The greeting card is preferably provided with at least one ear. The card can hereby be used as a cup. A filling is preferably arranged in the container. The filling, for instance cocoa powder, a solvent or plant nutrients, can be arranged in the container and be employed for the relevant function when the card is used. The greeting card can also be embodied as a package with soil and flower bulbs.

In a further preferred embodiment the greeting card is embodied as a flower gift token. The printing of the greeting card can fulfil set legal requirements such that the greeting card itself is a gift token which has a money value. An existing flower gift token can also be arranged in the container. Sending of the greeting card then also provides the recipient with a flower gift token.

The invention is further elucidated in the following description of the embodiments with reference to the annexed figures.

Figure 1 shows a partly cut-away view of a greeting card according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a card according to the invention in a second embodiment. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a greeting card in the upright position.

Figure 4 shows a view of a card according to a third embodiment . Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment according to the invention in the upright position.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention. The greeting card 1 shown in figure 1 comprises a writable surface 2, a resilient material 3 in the form of corrugated board, and a plastic bag-shaped container . Writable surface 2 is for instance paper on which a message can be printed or can be written. The writable and/or printable surface 2 is provided with a connecting strip. Other materials comprise synthetic paper or coated cardboard. The printing is finished with a UV lacquer.

Corrugated board 3 is arranged on writable material 2 as according to arrows 6 and connected thereto, for instance by glueing.

The writable surface 2 is provided with a fold line 7, corrugated board 3 is provided with a fold line 8. Fold lines 7, 8 are parallel in the assembly 2, 3. The assembly 2, 3 can be folded along the fold line.

The plastic, flexible bag-shaped container 4 is provided with a reclosable closing edge 9 as these are generally known. In addition, the bag 4 has a lip 10 with a recess 11, whereby the bag can be hung. Container 4 is arranged as according to arrows 12 and connected to corrugated board 3 , wherein the container connects to or falls within the surface defined by the side edge and the fold line of the corrugated board. The greeting card is obtained by folding along fold lines 7, 8 of assembly 2, 3 and connecting the strip 5 to the edge then lying opposite the adjacent surface. The resilient material determines that the greeting card is held in the substantially two-dimensional form.

A second embodiment of a greeting card 20 is shown in figure 2. Greeting card 20 comprises two surfaces 21, 22 provided with respective connecting strips 23, 24. Surfaces 21, 22 are connected to each other, for instance with glue, by means of connecting strips 23, 24 close to the opposite adjacent side edge of the surface. Surfaces 21, 22 are made up of a writable or printable material . Surface 22 is provided with a drawing in the form of a flower 25. The mutually connected surfaces 21, 22 form an endless band.

Corrugated board 26 is arranged inside the. band. These can also be two corrugated board surfaces.

Arranged between the adjacent surfaces 21, 22 and the corrugated board 26 is a plastic, bag-shaped container 27 provided with a reclosable closing edge 28, a lip 29 with a recess 30. The plastic bag is connected to corrugated board 26 by means of a connecting means, for instance glue .

The material of surfaces 21, 22, for instance paper, and corrugated board 26 will give the greeting card 20 an initial form in the shape of a card. In the card form the greeting card 20 is substantially two- dimensional and the surfaces 21, 22, corrugated board 26 and container 27 therebetween lie substantially flat against each other.

By moving the corner points 31, 32 toward each other as according to arrows 33, 34, the surfaces 21, 22 are moved apart and a space is created between the surf ces. When container 27 is connected to surfaces 21, 22 close to the upper edge of the greeting card and the container is not closed, the container will be opened and it is possible to arrange water in the container. When the greeting card is arranged in an upright position, the water filling the container will fall to the bottom through gravity and therein press the surfaces 21, 22 apart, whereby the card takes on the upright position. The upright position is thus characterized by moving apart of the adjacent surfaces 21, 22. Figure 3 shows the upright position of the greeting card in a perspective view. The assembled greeting card 1, provided with a writable surface 2 on which a flower 13 is arranged, has an endless band, wherein connecting strip 5 is connected to the side edge of writable surface 2. The bag-shaped container 4 is connected close to the upper edge to corrugated board 3 or writable surface 2. In the shown upright position the opposite/adj cent surfaces of the greeting card have been moved away from each other whereby container 4 becomes accessible and can be filled with water 14 and flowers 15. The water presses the surfaces apart, whereby the upright position is retained, despite the resilient material in the form of corrugated board 3 wanting to move the surfaces back to the card position. The writable material is for instance provided with a coating so that the material is not damaged upon contact with water.

Figure 4 shows a third embodiment of a card 40 and a container 41. Card 40 substantially has two adjacent surfaces 42, 43 which are each provided with two fold lines 44-47. The card has two side edges, wherein connecting strip 48 mutually connects the two surfaces along one side edge.

A handle 49 is arranged on surface 42. Surface 42 is also provided with a base 50, in the form of a hexagon and provided with five connecting strips 51 and six fold lines 52. Container 41 can be arranged in card 40. Container 41 is a bag-shaped container of a flexible material, for instance plastic. Card 40 is made up of a resilient material which, when no forces are exerted thereon, extends in a card form, i.e. in a substantially two-dimensional plane. Figure 5 shows card 40 in the upright position, wherein container 41 can be filled with a liquid 53. The base 50 is connected to side surfaces 42, 43 by means of connecting strips 51. Fold lines 44-47 and the side edges of card 40 now form a hexagon which corresponds with the shape of the base surface 50. Through the unfolding, the base surface 50 becomes a support means for retaining the upright position. The removal of liquid 53 from container 41 will then not immediately result in card 40 moving back resiliently to the substantially flat card position. Card 40 can be used as cup. Another type of support means can be used instead of a base 50 which is unfolded from card 40. Base 50 can for instance be folded into the card, wherein filling of the card results in automatic unfolding of base 50 and the forming of the support means . Figure 6 shows a partly cut-away view of greeting card 60 provided with a water container 61 in an upright position. The connecting means connecting the container 61 to the two surfaces 62,63 of greeting card 60 are formed by two 0-shaped rings 64,65 arranged respectively in surfaces 62 and 63. O-shaped rings 64,65 are arranged through bag 61 close to the mouth of the bag. The O- shaped rings 64,65 are arranged substantially diametrically opposite each other in greeting card 60. This connecting means forms a simple, inexpensive and durable connection between bag 61 and card 60. Surprisingly, it has been found that it is not necessary to connect container 61 to card 60 along the whole or a large part of the mouth/opening edge, whereby costs can be saved.

Greeting card 60 is assembled by connecting one outer end 66 of a material width, along a connecting strip 67, to the other outer end of the same material width.

Claims

1. Greeting card comprising a resilient material, provided with at least one writable surface and with a bag-shaped container which can receive a substance, characterized in that the greeting card has at least two adjacent surfaces, between which the container is arranged .

2. Greeting card as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that connecting means connect the greeting card to the container.

3. Greeting card as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that connecting means connect the surfaces such that a tube is formed in which the container is received.

4. Greeting card as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that an opening of the tube connects to an opening of the container .

5. Greeting card as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the greeting card has at least one side edge, wherein connecting means connect the two adjacent surfaces to each other along the edge.

6. Greeting card as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the greeting card has a substantially flat card position in which the greeting card is substantially two-dimensional, and has an upright position in which the container can be filled with water or soil .

7. Greeting card as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the container contains a lexible material .

8. Greeting card as claimed in any of the claims 5- 7, characterized in that the adjacent surfaces between the two side edges can move apart, wherein the container becomes accessible.

9. Greeting card as claimed in any of the claims 6- 8, characterized in that the greeting card has at least one substantially straight edge which in the upright position forms the contact edge with a supporting surface .

10. Greeting card as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the resilient material comprises cardboard.

11. Greeting card as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the container has an opening which is arranged close to an upper edge of the greeting card.

12. Greeting card as claimed in any of the claims 6-11, characterized in that The greeting card also comprises a support means for retaining the upright position.

13. Greeting card as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the greeting card is at least partially provided with a coating.

14. Greeting card as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the greeting card contains biodegradable material .

15. Greeting card as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the container comprises closing means.

16. Greeting card as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the container contains a plant nutrient .

17. Greeting card as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the greeting card is a gift token.

18. Container blank comprising a resilient material and provided with a bag-shaped container, characterized in that the container blank has a substantially flat card position in which the container blank is substantially two-dimensional, and has an upright position in which the container blank can be filled.

19. Method for manufacturing a card with container, comprising of providing a resilient material, mutually connecting the resilient material along at least one side edge such that an endless band is manufactured, characterized by arranging a bag-shaped container and forming at least two side edges in the endless band such that a card is formed in a substantially two-dimensional plane.

20. Method as claimed in claim 19, characterized by arranging at least one fold line in the resilient material .

21. Method as claimed in claim 19 or 20, characterized by connecting the container to the card such that access to the container is obtained by moving the endless band away from each other.

22. Method as claimed in claim 19, 20 or 21, characterized by arranging an ear on the card.

23. Method as claimed in any of the claims 19-22, characterized by arranging a filling in the container.