WO2006136848A1

WO2006136848A1 - Greeting card with integral gift holder

Info

Publication number: WO2006136848A1
Application number: PCT/GB2006/002320
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karen Charalambous; Mark Upton
Original assignee: Universal Pictures (Uk) Limited
Priority date: 2005-06-24
Filing date: 2006-06-23
Publication date: 2006-12-28
Also published as: GB2427590A; GB0512960D0; AU2006260668A1

Abstract

A planar article (1) comprises means (13) to hold an item. The article (1) is adapted such that in a first arrangement it functions as a greetings card and in a second arrangement it functions as a container for the item.

Description

GREETING CARD WITH INTEGRAL GIFT HOLDER

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a planar article for holding an item.

Background

With the increased circulation of DVD's and CD's, it has become popular to give these products as gifts. As gifts, they are particular useful for people who need to send gifts by mail because the discs themselves are non-bulky and relatively lightweight. They also fit easily into an envelope.

Recently, products have been developed that combine greetings cards with DVD's and/or CD's. One such product is the "Time of Your Life" birthday card that is published by The CDCard Company and contains a CD within a card. A similar product has been marketed by the British Broadcasting Corporation. In that product, a DVD simply sits within a slot in the card. Once the card has been used and thrown away, there is nothing in which to store the DVD, which means that it can easily get damaged or lost. Even if the card is retained as a storage means, it is not easy to locate the card later because it is relatively thin and not easily recognisable as a storage device. The card is also relatively flimsy, which means that the DVD is not adequately protected from damage. In addition, since the DVD is not held securely within the card, it can easily become dislodged in transit. Again, this can result in loss or damage of the DVD.

It is an object of the current invention to ameliorate the disadvantages of the prior art. Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a planar article comprising means to hold an item, the article being adapted such that in a first arrangement it functions as a greetings card and in a second arrangement it functions as a container for the item.

Preferably, the article is adapted to function as a greetings card by presenting a message to the user and concealing the item and the article is adapted to function as a container for the item by concealing the message and presenting the item to the user. The term "presenting" is intended to be understood in the context of the perception of the user. For example, if a user is presented with an item in a container so that the user would understand that container as containing the item, the item is considered to be "presented" to the user, even if the item itself is not visible at that stage. Similarly, "concealed" is intended to be interpreted from a user's perspective. If a user would not appreciate the existence of an item, it is considered to be "concealed".

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the article comprises three laterally adjacent panels each panel being separated from its adjacent panel by a foldable portion, a first of the three panels having a face for receiving the item to be held, a second panel being adjacent to the first panel on a first side and adjacent to a third panel on a second side, wherein the second panel is selectively foldable towards or away from the face of the first panel for receiving' the item, and the third panel is foldable towards the second panel. Alternatively, the article comprises three laterally adjacent panels separated from one another by a foldable portion, a first of the three panels being adapted to receive an item on one of its faces, a second panel being adjacent to the first panel on one side and adjacent to a third panel on another side, wherein the second panel is selectively foldable towards or away from the face of the first panel that is adapted to receive the item and the third panel is selectively foldable towards or away from the second panel.

Preferably, the second panel is adapted to be removably attached to the first panel.

The first, second and third panels are preferably integral with one another; this facilitates manufacture of the article.

Preferably the means for holding the item comprises a rigid panel. The rigid panel serves to protect the item from damage.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective front view of a first embodiment of the invention in a first position;

Figure 2 shows a perspective side view of the embodiment of the invention of Figure 1 in a first position;

Figure 3 shows a perspective front view of a first embodiment of the invention in a second position; and Figure 4 shows a perspective front view of a first embodiment of the invention in a third position.

Description of an Embodiment

In Figure 1 a planar article 1 in the form of a case has an outer panel 2 that is intended to carry printed matter on its outer face 3 and a second inner panel 4 that can also carry printed matter and is intended to contain a message for a recipient of the card on a first face 5 so that the outer panel 2 and inner panel 4 together represent a greetings card in which the face 3 constitutes the front of the card and the face 5 forms the inside message portion of the card. The outer panel 2 and inner panel 4 are integral with one another and separated from each other by an integral foldable portion 6. The foldable portion 6 is made of the same material as the outer 2 and inner 4 panels but is thinner than those panels to facilitate folding.

Before the case 1 is given to a recipient, the panel 2 covers the panel 4 but when it is received and opened by the recipient, the first face 5 of the panel 4 is exposed to reveal the message that it contains. The panel 4 is integral with a further panel 7 and joined to that panel by means of a pair of further foldable portions 8 that are connected together by an extension panel 9. The reason for including the extension panel 9 is explained below. Each of the panels 2, 4, 7 has substantially the same shape and cross-sectional area.

Figure 2 shows a second face 10 of the panel 4 attached to a first face 11 of the panel 7. The first face 11 of the panel 7 is attached to the second face 10 of the panel 4 in a releasable manner, for example, by means of an adhesive (not shown), such as "cow glue" or a "hot dot". A suitable "hot dot" is manufactured by Glue Dots International Ltd. On a second face 12 of the panel 7, there is a holding means 13 for holding a disc, for example, an audio-visual disc, such as a CD or DVD. The invention will be described here in the context of a DVD but is equally applicable to a CD. The holding means 13 comprises a rigid panel with a recess 14 that is discshaped, so that a disc can sit neatly within the recess 14. The rigid panel 13 is three-dimensional and has a similar depth to a type of rigid panel that is used in standard DVD cases. The recess

14 has an engagement means 15 located substantially centrally for engaging a disc that is inserted into the recess 14. The engagement means 15 comprises a resilient body that is intended to be inserted into a hole in the disc by applying a force to press the disc onto the body

15 and urge the body 15 through the disc hole by deforming the body 15. Once the body 15 has passed through the hole the force on the disc can be released so that the resilient body 15 returns to its original form and grips the disc in place.

!t can be seen from Figure 1 that the disc is hidden from the recipient when the case 1 is in its card configuration and closed because the disc is held on the second face 12 of the panel 7 but once it becomes apparent to the recipient that there is a disc within the card 1 , the disc can be released by applying a force to the disc to deform the resilient body 15 again so that the disc can move over the resilient body 15.

When the card configuration of the case 1 is no longer of interest to the recipient the inner face 11 of the panel 7 can be pulled away from the second face 10 of the panel 4, so that the case 1 assumes the configuration shown in Figure 3. The adhesive can also be removed at that stage to prevent the panel 7 from "re-sticking" to the panel 4.

As described in relation to Figure 1 above, the outer face 3 of the outer panel 2 can be folded along the foldable portion 6 towards the first face 5 of the inner panel 4 so that the first face 5 is covered by the outer panel 2, as shown in Figure 4. It can be seen from Figure 4 that when the outer panel 2 covers the first face 5 of the inner panel 4, the case 1 resembles a standard DVD container. The second face 10 of the inner panel 4 and the first face 11 of the panel 7 can contain printed matter relating to the DVD that is contained within the case 1. The extension panel 9, which functions as a spine of the case 1 , can also contain printed matter, such as details of a title of the DVD. It will be appreciated that the extension panel 9 needs to be sufficiently deep to allow the panel 4 to adequately cover the panel 7 when the case 1 is in its case configuration. The panels 2,4 and 7, as well as the folding portions 6,8 and the extension panel 9 are made of cardboard. The holding means 13 is made of a plasties material, such as polypropylene.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the case 1 is in its card configuration when in a position similar to that shown in Figure 4. To change the configuration to a case configuration, the panels 2 and 4 are together moved so that the panel 4 rests against the panel 7. The panel 2 is then turned again so that it covers the face 12 of the panel 7; this results in a "left-handed" cover on the case 1 when in its case configuration. In order to ensure that the panel 2 covers the face 12 sufficiently a further extension panel (not shown) is required between the panels 2 and 4.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the article 1 is in its card configuration when in the position shown in Figure 1 and is converted to its case configuration by turning the panel 2 so that it covers the face 12 of the panel 7. Again, this results in a "left-handed" cover for the DVD case and requires a further extension panel between the panels 2 and 4.

Alternatively, the article 1 can have a case configuration as shown in Figure 1 but without panel 2 and an alternative panel (not shown) that is attached to panel 7 along its upper or lower edge via a further foldable portion and is folded behind or in front of panel 7 in the case configuration. The alternative panel carries printed matter so that it can function as a card. In a card configuration, panel 4 would be moved towards panel 7 so that panel 4 covered panel 7 or the alternative panel. The alternative panel attached to the top or bottom of panel 7 would then be folded over panel 4 so that it covered panel 4 and the article appeared as a card, or over panel 7 to cover the DVD. In a yet further alternative embodiment, the alternative panel is attached to an upper or lower edge of panel 4, so that panel 4 can be selectively covered or uncovered by that panel.

In all of the above embodiments more than one DVD could be contained within the article 1. This could be achieved by layering DVD's on top of one another within the holding means 13 or by locating them in additional holding means (not shown), arranged side by side with the holding means 13. It will be appreciated that a side by side arrangement would require the inclusion of at least one additional panel in order for the case 1 to be able to function as a card as well as a case.

The advantage of the invention is that the card can be used as a greetings card but also as a case for storing and protecting an item, such as a DVD. As a case, it should have a standard configuration so that it can fit in with other such cases to facilitate storage of the case by its recipient but this is not essential. For example, the extension panel 9 and the holding means 13 should be such that the case 1 will have a similar profile to other DVD cases. The standard configuration of the case also enables a packager or distributor of the DVD to comply with regulations and requirements on the display of certain subject matter.

It will be appreciated that a number of variations of the features of the invention are possible. For example, the means of attachment of the panel 4 to the panel 7 could include a hook and loop fastener, a double-sided sticky tape, a tie, a magnet or any other suitable releasable attachment means. If the panel 4 is intended to be re-attached to the panel 7 following initial detachment, it will be appreciated that certain means of attachment, such as a magnet, are preferable. Alternatively, it may be desirable that the panel 4 is not re-attachable to the panel 7 and that no residue of an attachment means be left on the panel 7, so as to avoid that residue contacting other items. In this case, a removable attachment means would be appropriate; a tie would be suitable for this purpose.

It would also be possible to use an alternative means of holding a disc in the case. Many standard types of disc retaining means are available.

The folding portions 6,8 and extension panel 9 do not have to be integral with the panels 2, 4 and 7 and could be discrete items. Similarly, the folding portions 6,8 and the extension panel 9 do not have to be made of the same material as the panels, 2, 4 and 7. The panels 2, 4 and 7 do not have to be made of the same material as each other.

The materials suggested above could be varied. For example, a plastics material could be used in place of cardboard for the panels 2,4 and 7 and the extension panel 9 and foldable portions 6,8. Although the holding means 13 does not have to be made of plastics, material, it is preferable if it is made of a rigid material so that it can provide protection for the disc.

The panels 2,4 and 7 do not have to be of the same shape and cross-sectional area.

In addition to the foldable portions 6,8 at least one line of perforations could be provided to allow at least one of the panels to be removed. For example, a line of perforations could be included on the outer panel 2 so that the outer panel 2 could be removed completely following use of the case in its card configuration.

It would also be possible to include a pocket (not shown)on one of the panels 2,4,7 to store any panel that had been removed. If the outer panel 2 were removed, it could be stored in a pocket on the first face 11 of the panel 7 or on the first face 5 of the panel 4. This would allow any message that constitutes part of the card in the card configuration to be retained when it was no longer desirable to use the case 1 in its card configuration. Alternatively, a pocket could be present on any one of the panels 2, 4, 7 even if one of those panels was not intended to be removed. The pocket could be used to store additional printed material, such as a brochure or postcard, or an additional item.

It would be possible to incorporate a sound device in the case 1 so that a sound, such as a "Happy Birthday" tune or message, could be emitted when the case was used in its card configuration. Similarly, the case 1 could incorporate a "pop-up" feature for activation in its card configuration. The "pop-up" feature could be used to present a further DVD to the user. Furthermore, in addition to or as an alternative to printed matter, the case 1 could carry a holographic or lenticular element. One or more of the panels 2,4,7 could have or be a padded element.

Although the case 1 shown in the drawings is generally rectangular in shape, it could be formed of any shape, for example, in the shape of a heart, a car, a triangle, a square, a shell, a rocket, a star, a champagne bottle or a circle. Similarly, the recess 14 does not have to be disc-shaped and could be of any other shape. The disc itself could also be of any shape or size. The disc could carry audio, visual or audio and visual material. The disc could also be replaced by any other data carrier or information storage device.

It will be appreciated that there are further applications of the invention outside the field of discs. Jewellery, for example, could be stored within the case 1 and given as a gift.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A planar article comprising means to hold an item, the article being adapted such that in a first arrangement it functions as a greetings card and in a second arrangement it functions as a container for the item.

2. An article as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the article is adapted to function as a card by presenting a message to the user and concealing the item and the article is adapted to function as a container for the item by concealing the message and presenting the item to the user.

3. An article as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the article comprises three laterally adjacent panels each panel being separated from its adjacent panel by a foldable portion, a first of the three panels having a face for receiving the item to be held, a second panel being adjacent to the first panel on a first side and adjacent to a third panel on a second side, wherein the second panel is selectively foldable towards or away from the face of the first panel for receiving the item, and the third panel is foldable towards the second panel.

4. An article as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the third panel is foldable towards the second panel in an anti-clockwise direction.

5. An article as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the article comprises three laterally adjacent panels separated from one another by a foldable portion, a first of the three panels being adapted to receive an item on one of its faces, a second panel being adjacent to the first panel on one side and adjacent to a third panel on another side, wherein the second panel is selectively foldable towards or away from the face of the first panel that is adapted to receive the item and the third panel is selectively foldable towards or away from the second panel.

6. An article as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the second panel is adapted to be removably attached to the first panel.

7. An article as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the second panel is adapted to be removably attached to the first panel by means of an adhesive.

8. An article as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 7, wherein the first, second and third panels are integral with one another.

9. An article as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 8, wherein the third panel is adapted to be removable for disposal.

10. An article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the article carries printed matter, in use.

11. An article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means to hold the item include a resilient body that is deformable to receive the item.

12. An article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means to hoid the item comprises a rigid panel.

13. An article as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the rigid panel is made of plastics material.

14. An article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the article is made of cardboard.

15. An article as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the item that is to be held is a data carrier.

16. An article as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the data carrier is a disc.

17. An article as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the disc is an audio-visual disc.

18. A planar article substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.