Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
POP-UP GREETING CARDS
This application is a divisional of Canadian patent application Serial No.
2921093
filed on February 18, 2016.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of social expression and entertainment
products, and more specifically to greeting cards with mechanical and
electronic
functions and features.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Traditional paper greeting cards have been widely used for celebratory
occasions
such as birthdays, graduations, weddings, and for other commercial purposes.
More
recently, the market has expanded with greeting cards that attempt to capture
attention by
alternate designs and other features to enhance the communicative and
entertainment
value of social and relational greetings. The widespread availability of
compact digital
electronics has made incorporation into social communication products
economical.
Although the prior art includes greeting cards with sound-generating features,
such cards
are generally available only in a fixed format wherein a sound file is played
upon
activation by manipulation of the card. Cards with mechanical or structural
features such
as three-dimensional "pop-ups" are conventionally made with multiple panels or
pages
which are attached at various locations to unfold in multiple planes. A
particular
challenge to incorporate mechanical movement in a greeting card is to do so
without
making the card too bulky or thick, so that it has the same general
configuration and size
as conventional flat panel cards.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An interactive electronic greeting card with pop up feature includes a pocket
or
cavity which houses various electronic and mechanical components and a pop-up
element. In a first position, the pop-up element is substantially contained
within the
greeting card pocket or cavity. In a second position, the pop-up element is
substantially
outside the greeting card pocket or cavity. A push button controls movement of
the pop-
- 1 -
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
up element between the first and second positions. Pressing the push button
causes the
pop-up element to be ejected or to "pop up" out of the greeting card pocket or
cavity,
revealing a greeting or other printed indicia. The push button also initiates
playback of a
pre-loaded digital audio file, which may be a spoken message, a sound, a song,
music or
other such audio recording. Manually pushing the pop-up element back into the
cavity
ends playback of the audio.
We further disclose herein a pop-up greeting card comprising:
a main pocket having a front side, a back side parallel to and spaced apart
from
the front side, and a right side, back side and bottom panel which extend
between
the front and back sides;
a pop-up panel which is operative to move from a first position wherein the
pop-
up panel is substantially contained within the main pocket and a second
position
wherein the pop-up panel is substantially outside of the main pocket;
a mobile object attached to the pop-up panel;
a motor attached to the pop-up panel and mobile object, the motor
operative to cause movement of the mobile object;
a sound module contained and concealed within the main pocket operative to
store and playback at least one audio filed contained therein; and
a manually activated mechanism operative to move the pop-up panel from the
first position to the second position, to initiate activation of the motor
thereby
causing movement of the mobile object, and initiating activation of the sound
module
thereby causing playback of the at least one audio file.
We further disclose herein a pop-up greeting card comprising:
a main pocket having a front side, a back side parallel to and spaced apart
from
the front side, and a right side, left side and bottom panel which extend
between
the front and back sides;
a pop-up panel which is operative to move from a first position wherein the
pop-
up panel is substantially contained within the main pocket and a second
position
wherein the pop-up panel is substantially outside of the main pocket;
a mobile object attached to the pop-up panel;
- 2 -
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
C-
a motor contained within the main pocket and attached through an
opening in the main pocket to the mobile object, the motor operative to cause
movement
of the mobile object;
a sound module contained and concealed within the main pocket operative to
store and playback at least one audio filed contained therein; and
a push button or crank operative to move the pop-up panel from the first
position to the second position, and to initiate activation of the motor and
the
sound module; wherein when the pop-up panel is moved from the first position
to the
second position, the motor module causes movement of the mobile object and the
sound
module initiates playback of the at least one audio file.
We further disclose herein a pop-up greeting card comprising:
a main pocket having a front side, a back side parallel to and spaced apart
from
the front side, and a right side, back side and bottom panel which extend
between the
front and back sides;
a pop-up panel which is operative to move from a first position wherein the
pop-
up panel is substantially contained within the main pocket and a second
position wherein
the pop-up panel is substantially outside of the main pocket;
at least one opening on the front side of the main pocket, the at least one
opening
being covered by a transparent or semi-transparent material;
at least one LED light contained within the main pocket behind the at least
one
opening on the front side of the main pocket; and
a lever attached to the right or left side of the main pocket, the lever
operative to
move the pop-up panel from the first position to the second position and also
to
illuminate the at least one LED light, when the lever is pulled in a downward
direction.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the Pop-Up Greeting Card
of the
present invention, in a first position.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the Pop-Up Greeting Card of FIG. 1, in a
second position.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the internal components of the Pop-Up Greeting Card
of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the internal components of the Pop-Up Greeting Card
of FIG. 2.
- 3 -
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
)
FIG. 5 is a cross-section of FIG. 3, viewed in the direction of arrows 5-5.
FIG. 6 is a close up view of a portion of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a close up view of a portion of FIG. 8.
FIG. 8 is a cross-section of FIG. 4, viewed in the direction of arrows 8-8.
FIG. 9 is an alternate embodiment of the Pop-Up Greeting Card of the present
invention.
FIG. 10 is an alternate embodiment of the Pop-Up Greeting Card of the present
invention.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the Pop-Up Greeting Card of FIG. 9 with a
gift card
partially removed from a cavity.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the Pop-Up
Greeting Card
of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the Pop-Up Greeting Card of FIG. 12, with
ejected
panel and confetti.
FIG. 14 is a front view of the internal components of the Pop-Up Greeting Card
of FIG.
12.
FIG. 15 is a front view of the internal components of the Pop-Up Greeting Card
of FIG.
12, with ejected panel and confetti.
FIG. 16 is an exploded view of the Pop-Up Greeting Card of FIG. 12.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the Pop-Up
Greeting Card
of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the greeting card of FIG. 17, in an open
position with
visible pop-up panel.
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the greeting card of FIG. 17, from the
perspective of
arrows 19-19, with the pop-up panel substantially contained within the pocket.
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the greeting card of FIG. 17, with the
pop-up panel
substantially contained outside of the pocket.
FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 19, from the perspective of
arrows 21-
21.
FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 20.
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the Pop-Up
Greeting Card
of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the greeting card of FIG. 23, with exposed
pop-up panel.
- 4 -
...
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
,
%. .
FIG. 25 is a front internal view of the greeting card of FIG. 23, with the
crank in a first
position and the pop-up panel in a first positon.
FIG. 26 is a front internal view of the greeting card of FIG. 23, with the
crank in a
second position and the pop-up panel in a first position.
FIG. 27 is a partial close-up front view of the greeting card of FIG. 26.
FIG. 28 is a front internal view of the greeting card of FIG. 25, with the
crank in a first
positon and the pop-up panel in a second position.
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the Pop-Up
Greeting Card
of the present invention.
FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the greeting card of FIG. 29, with an exposed
pop-up
panel with gift card.
FIG. 31 is a front internal view of the greeting card of FIG. 29, with the pop-
up panel in
a first position.
FIG. 32 is a front internal view of the greeting card of FIG. 29, with the pop-
up panel in
a second position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE
EMBODIMENTS
The greeting card of the present invention combines a spring loaded pop-up
element and sound capability with a greeting card having some type of manual
activation
mechanism. The manual activation mechanism requires user interaction with the
greeting card in order to reveal the pop-up element and to initiate playback
of a pre-
loaded digital sound file. The pop-up element is retained inside a pocket or
cavity of the
greeting card and a spring loaded mechanism controls the movement of the pop-
up
element between a first position concealed within a pocket or cavity of the
greeting card
and a second position wherein a significant portion of the pop-up element is
ejected from
the pocket or cavity.
In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the greeting card body 10 has a
front surface, a back surface parallel to and spaced apart from the front
surface, and right,
left and bottom side walls which extend between the front and back surfaces of
the
greeting card 100, creating a three sided pocket or cavity contained therein.
A top edge
10E of the greeting card 100 is opened to accommodate the insertion and
retraction of a
- 5 -
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
41 =
pop-up element 14. The pocket or cavity is created by the three sided
enclosure which, in
a preferred embodiment is made of paperboard or other strong but lightweight
material.
Inside the pocket or cavity is contained a protective cardboard frame 16 for
housing or
accommodating electronic components, a push button 12 and spring activation
mechanism or other activation mechanism, and a pop-up element 14. For example,
the
frame 16 can be made from one or more pieces of paperboard with appropriate
cut-outs
or openings which can be positioned between the front and back panels of the
card to
hold and secure the mechanical and electronic components of the card. The
frame 16
contains a front panel and a back panel, both panels having various slots or
openings
strategically placed thereon to accommodate the various components of the
greeting card
100. The front panel is parallel to and spaced apart from the back panel. In
the space
between the front and back panels are contained various components of the
greeting card
100. In areas where no components are located, a piece of foam, cardboard,
paperboard
or other material may be used between the two panels to keep a consistent
space between
the panels. The electronic components may include a circuit board with
integrated circuit
and controller, memory storage device upon which at least one digital audio
file is pre-
loaded and saved, a power source, such as one or more batteries 18, a speaker
20, related
circuitry and any other electronic component which may be required to store
and replay
one or more audio files, as are known to one with skill in the art. The pop-up
element
14, in this particular embodiment, is a decorated panel having printed text,
such as a
birthday greeting and/or drawings or artwork contained thereon. The panel 14
is
positioned between the front and back panels of the protective frame 16. The
spring
loaded mechanism includes two springs 22A, 22B which are attached at a first
end to the
bottom of the pop-up element or panel 14 and at a second end to an upper
region of the
protective frame 16. When the pop-up element 14 is in a first position
substantially
concealed within the greeting card, as shown in FIG. 1, the springs are
stretched out, as
shown in FIG. 3. A push button mechanism is contained between the protective
panels
16 and contains a push button 12 that is connected to a catch or an arm 24.
The catch or
arm 24 of the push button mechanism contains a lip 28 that extends outward in
a forward
direction. The pop-up element or inner panel 14 contains a small opening 26
thereon so
that when the pop up element 14 is in a first position substantially concealed
within the
greeting card 100, i.e., between the front and back panels of the card and
within or
- 6 -
= CA 2964917 2017-04-21
proximate to the frame, the lip 28 of the catch or arm 24 extends into the
opening 26 on
the pop-up element or inner panel 14, thereby retaining the panel 14 within
the greeting
card 100 with the springs 22A, 22B in an extended or stretched position, as
shown in
FIGS. 3, 5 and 6. When the push button 12 is depressed it moves the catch or
arm 24
causing the lip to become disengaged with the opening 26 on the pop-up element
14,
releasing the springs 22A, 22B, as shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8. The mechanical
energy
stored in the springs 22A, 22B when they are in an extended or stretched
state, propel or
eject the pop-up element 14 upward through the opening along the upper edge
10E of the
greeting card body 10. In addition to causing the pop-up element 14 to be
revealed
through the top of the greeting card 100, the press button 12 also initiates
playback of the
at least one pre-loaded audio file. The audio file may contain a spoken
message, a song,
music, various sounds, etc. When the pop-up element 14 is pushed back down and
secured inside the greeting card 100, playback of the audio ends.
In an alternate embodiment, shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the greeting card of the
present invention includes a pop-up element 15 which serves as a pocket or
cavity
wherein a gift card 30 may be inserted for presentation to the greeting card
recipient. The
greeting card body 10 may include, as described above, a main pocket or cavity
which
contains a front side, a back side which is parallel and spaced apart from the
front side,
and a right, back and bottom side which extend between the front and back
panels along
three side edges, thereby creating a three-sided pocket. The top of the
greeting card is
open for inserting the pop-up element 15. The pop-up element 15 is in itself
another
pocket or cavity which is operative to contain a standard sized gift card 30.
The pop-up
cavity 15 may contain a front surface which contains an opening thereon
through which
the gift card 30 is visible, or the pop-up cavity 15 may contain a front
surface which
contains an opening thereon which is covered with acetate or other clear,
transparent
material, through which the gift card 30 is visible. The acetate may contain
an opening
thereon to facilitate removal of the gift card therefrom. Alternatively the
entire pop-up
cavity 15 may be made of acetate or other clear, transparent material. The pop-
up cavity
15 may be closed on all sides to prevent accidental removal of the gift card,
with a slot 17
or flap or tab removably attached along a top surface which can be used to
open the
cavity 15 and remove the gift card 30. The cavity 15 may also be a three-sided
cavity
with a completely open top edge for removal of the gift card 30. The pop-up
cavity 15 is
- 7 -
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
larger than the measurements of a standard gift card, which are approximately
5 1/4 inches
high and 3 5/8 inches wide. Alternatively, the pop-up element may be a single
panel, as
described above, with a gift card 30 removably attached thereto. The spring
and push
button mechanism described above, may be used to move the pop-up cavity 15
(with gift
card 30 therein) between a first position wherein the pop-up cavity 15 is
substantially
concealed within the main greeting card pocket or cavity and a second position
wherein
the pop-up cavity 15 is substantially outside of the main greeting card pocket
or cavity.
The protective frame construct, also described above, may also be used in this
embodiment to protect the various inner components of the greeting card 100.
This
embodiment may also include a sound module contained within the main pocket or
cavity which is operative to store and playback at least one pre-recorded
audio file.
In still another embodiment, shown in FIG. 10 the greeting card 100 includes
two
or more telescoping pockets or panels 19 which telescope in an inward and
outward
direction with respect to one another. The smallest or innermost pocket may
contain a
gift card 30 therein or removably attached thereto. Alternately, the gift card
30 may be
configured to fit within the smallest or innermost pocket 19 and it may be
ejected from
said pocket 19 upon pushing the press button 12. The first or main pocket or
cavity 10
serves as the outer surface of the greeting card 100, as described above with
reference to
the other embodiments, and therefore is the largest of the pockets or panels
of the
greeting card 100. All of the other pockets or cavities 19 of the greeting
card 100 are
sized to fit within the first or main pocket 10 of the greeting card 100.
After the first or
main pocket 10, each successive pocket or cavity 19 is slightly smaller in
size than the
previous pocket or cavity such that each successive pocket or cavity 19 fits
within the
previous pocket. The main pocket or cavity 10, as described above, may have a
front
side, a back side parallel to and spaced apart from the front side and right,
left and
bottom sides which extend between the front and back panels along three side
edges of
the main panel or cavity. The spring and push button mechanism described above
with
respect to the other embodiments can be used to move the two or more inner
pockets or
cavities from a first position wherein the inner pockets or cavities are
substantially
contained and concealed within the main pocket or cavity and a second
position, wherein
the two or more inner pockets or cavities are substantially outside of the
main pocket or
cavity. The protective frame described above may also be used with this
embodiment to
- 8 -
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
protect the various internal components of the greeting card. This embodiment
may also
contain a sound module, as described above, which is operative to replay a pre-
recorded
audio file upon pressing the press button. Alternatively, instead of a gift
card, the pocket
or pockets may contain a smaller greeting card, small token gift or other
novelty which
can be fit within one or more of the inner pockets.
In yet another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 12-16, the greeting card described
herein combines a spring loaded pop-up element which contains confetti which
is ejected
or dispersed when the user activates a switch mechanism, which in a preferred
embodiment, is a press button switch. The switch may also activate sound
simultaneously
with ejecting the confetti. The pop up element is retained inside a pocket or
cavity of the
greeting card and a spring loaded mechanism controls the movement of the pop-
up
element between a first position concealed within a pocket or cavity of the
greeting card
and a second position wherein a significant portion of the pop-up element is
ejected from
the pocket or cavity while scattering confetti around the area of the greeting
card.
In this embodiment, the greeting card body contains a pocket 40 which has a
front
surface, a back surface parallel to and spaced apart from the front surface,
and a right, left
and bottom side wall which extend between the front and back surfaces of the
greeting
card, creating the three sided pocket or cavity. A top edge of the pocket 40
is opened to
accommodate the insertion and retraction of a pop-up, confetti-retaining
element 42. The
pocket or cavity 40, in a preferred embodiment, is made of paperboard or other
strong but
lightweight material. Inside the pocket or cavity 40 is contained a protective
cardboard
frame for housing 44 or accommodating electronic components, a push button 46
and
spring activation mechanism or other activation mechanism, and a pop-up
element 42.
For example, the frame 44 can be made from one or more pieces of paperboard
with
appropriate cut-outs or openings can be positioned between the front and back
panels of
the pocket 40 to hold and secure the mechanical and electronic components of
the card.
The frame 44 various slots or openings strategically placed thereon to
accommodate the
various components of the greeting card. In areas where no components are
located, a
piece of foam, cardboard, paperboard or other material may be used to keep a
consistent
space between the front and back panels of the frame 44. The pocket 40 may be
wrapped, at least partially, by paperboard (or other material) cover 41 which
is divided
into panels sectioned by fold lines. The paperboard cover 41 extends over the
back
- 9 -
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
surface, left side wall and front surface of the pocket 40. The cover 41 may
be attached,
adhesively or otherwise, to the back surface of the pocket 40. The portion of
the cover
41 which extends over the left side wall and the front surface of the pocket
40 is not
physically attached to the pocket 40 but merely wraps around the pocket to
serve as the
front cover and left inside panel of the greeting card 200, as shown in FIG.
12.
Alternately, the portion of the cover 41 which extends over the left side wall
of the
pocket 40 may be attached thereto, adhesively, or otherwise.
The electronic components of the greeting card may include a circuit board 48
with integrated circuit and controller, memory storage device upon which at
least one
digital audio file is pre-loaded and saved, a power source 50, such as one or
more
batteries, a speaker 52, related circuitry and any other electronic component
which may
be required to store and replay one or more audio files, as are known to one
with skill in
the art.
The pop-up element 42, in this particular embodiment, is a narrow cavity or
compartment having a front panel and a back panel which contain the confetti
54
therebetween. The front and back panels of the pop-up element 42 may have
printed text,
such as a birthday greeting and/or drawings or artwork contained thereon. The
pop-up
element 42 is positioned between the front and back panels of the protective
frame 44.
The spring loaded mechanism includes two springs 56 which are attached at a
first end to
the bottom of the pop-up element 42 and at a second end to an upper region of
the
protective frame 44. When the pop-up element 42 is in a first position
substantially
concealed within the greeting card, the springs are compressed or stretched. A
push
button mechanism is contained between the protective panels 44 and contains a
push
button 46 that is connected to a catch or an arm 58. Words may be printed on
the
greeting card directing the user to the push button 46. For example, the
printing may say
something like "instant party, press here". The catch or arm 58 of the push
button
mechanism 46 contains a lip that extends outward in a forward direction. The
pop-up
element or inner compartment 42 contains a small opening thereon 60 so that
when the
pop up element 42 is in a first position substantially concealed within the
greeting card,
i.e., between the front and back panels of the pocket 40 and within or
proximate to the
frame 44, the lip of the catch or arm 58 extends into the opening 60 on the
pop-up
element 42, thereby retaining the pop-up element 42 within the pocket 40 with
the
- 10-
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
C
springs 56 in an extended position, as shown in FIG. 14. When the push button
46 is
depressed it moves the catch or arm 58 causing the lip to become disengaged
with the
opening 60 on the pop-up element 42 and releasing the extended or stretched
springs 56.
The mechanical energy stored in the springs 56 when they are in a stretched
state, propel
or eject the pop-up element 42 upward through the opening along the upper edge
of the
pocket 40 while releasing the confetti 54. The confetti 54 may be a plurality
of strands or
bits of paper, small die cut shapes, or any other small, flat, lightweight,
paper-like
substance. The term confetti also covers streamers, paper discs, spiders, or
any other
small lightweight item that can be dispersed from the pop-up element 42. The
confetti
54 is ejected along with the inner compartment 42 which houses the confetti 54
and then
floats to the ground. Prior to purchasing the greeting card at retail, the
inner
compartment 42 which contains the confetti 54 may have an overlying
transparent plastic
sheet or wrapping 62 to allow consumers to test the card at retail by pressing
the button
46 and having the pop-up element or inner compartment 42 appear. A sticker or
other
mild adhesive may be used to attach the transparent plastic sheet or cover 62
to the pop-
up element 42. Once a consumer purchases the card, he/she may remove the
sticker and
the plastic sheet 62 before placing the card 200 in the envelope for
presentation to the
recipient. In addition to causing the pop-up element 42 to be revealed through
the top of
the greeting card 200 and releasing the confetti 54, the press button 46 also
initiates
playback of the at least one pre-loaded audio file. The audio is triggered by
a small
trigger mechanism 47, which contains a lever that is held in place by one of
the spring
elements 56. The lever pivots about the trigger mechanism 47. When the pop-up-
element 42 (to which the spring mechanism 56 is attached) is in the first
position,
wherein it is contained within the pocket 40, the spring element 56 holds the
lever on the
trigger mechanism 47 in a first positon, as shown in FIG. 14. When the press
button 46
is depressed, moving the pop-up element 42 from the first position to a second
position,
wherein the pop-up element 42 is substantially outside of the pocket 40, the
lever is
released, allowing it pivot away from the trigger mechanism 47 (as shown in
FIG. 15)
and allowing the circuit to be completed, thereby initiating playback of at
least one audio
file. The audio file may contain a spoken message, a song, music, various
sounds, etc.
When the pop-up element 42 is pushed back down and secured inside the pocket
40,
playback of the audio ends. The next time the push button 46 is depressed, the
pop-up
-11-
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
=
element 42 will still be ejected from the greeting card 200 but without the
confetti 54 that
was used on the first push of the button. In another embodiment, the greeting
card may
be packaged with additional confetti that may be paced by hand inside the
greeting card
or the envelope.
In still another embodiment, the greeting card of the present invention
combines
the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9-11 with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12-16.
The pop-up element contains a pocket, as described above with respect to FIGS.
9 and
11, or two or more telescoping pockets or panels, as described above with
respect to
FIG. 10. The pop-up element also contains confetti, as described above with
respect to
FIGS. 12-16. This embodiment provides the surprise of the pop-up element and
confetti
while serving as a carrier or gift card holder. In one embodiment, the gift
card is
contained within one of the pockets, as described above, or the gift card may
be
removably attached to the front surface of the pop-up panel while the confetti
is
dispersed from the inside of the pop-up panel, as described above. In another
embodiment, the gift card may be removably attached to the greeting card body,
instead
of the pop-up panel or cavity.
In still another embodiment, the greeting card of the present invention may
include a pop-up element between two panels of the greeting card. Instead of
having a
large pocket or cavity into which another cavity or pocket (with or without
confetti) is
inserted, the greeting card may contain a three-dimensional pop-up element
which is
contained between two panels of the greeting card. The three-dimensional pop-
up
element may be moveable between a first position, wherein the pop-up element
is folded
into a substantially flat, folded configuration between two greeting card
panels and a
second positon, wherein the pop-up element is unfolded into a three-
dimensional pop-up
structure. The pop-up structure moves between the first and second positons by
closing
(first position) and opening (second position) the greeting card. Confetti, as
described
above, can be contained within the three-dimensional pop-up element such that
when the
greeting card is moved to an open position wherein the pop-up element is
unfolded,
confetti is released through an opening in the three-dimensional pop-up
structure. A
retaining mechanism may be contained within the pop-up structure which stores
the
confetti and releases the confetti upon opening the greeting card. The three-
dimensional
pop-up structure may be formed into a structure which complements the theme
and/or
- 12 -
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
=
artwork of the greeting card. The confetti contained therein may also take on
a particular
size, shape and color which is complementary to the overall theme of the
greeting card.
For example, the pop up structure may be shaped like a box of popcorn, and
when the
greeting card is opened and the popcorn box is unfolded, confetti is released
from within
the structure which resembles popcorn. Another example may have the pop-up
structure
as a can and the confetti shaped like snakes or a pop-up structure as a
tornado with
confetti shaped like sharks. The pop-up structure and confetti can take on a
variety of
different shapes, sizes and may be made from a variety of materials. The
confetti-
releasing mechanism may be operative to release the confetti upon opening the
greeting
card, as described above, or it may have alternative trigger methods such as a
pull string,
push button, light sensor, touch sensor, magnetic trigger, or any other such
mechanism.
The pop-up structure may only release confetti upon the first opening of the
greeting card
or it may have an opening thereon, through which additional confetti may be
inserted for
release upon subsequent openings of the greeting card. The confetti release
mechanism
may also contain a lock mechanism which prevents the release of confetti upon
opening
the greeting card until the lock mechanism has been opened or released. This
prevents
the release of confetti upon opening the greeting card at retail prior to
purchase or upon
opening the greeting card prior to presentation to the greeting card
recipient. In addition
to releasing confetti, this embodiment may also contain a small pocket or
cavity which
contains a gift card or other item, as described above with regard to the
other
embodiments. The pocket or cavity may be ejected or pushed upward from the top
of the
pop-up structure so the pocket or cavity is visible to the greeting card
recipient. As
described above with respect to the other embodiments, the pocket or cavity
may be
transparent so the existence of the gift card therein is immediately
recognized. The
pocket or cavity may have an opening thereon through which the gift card (or
other
object) can be inserted and removed. The gift card may be packaged and sold
together
with the greeting card or the greeting card may be sold with an empty pocket
or cavity so
that the gift card purchaser can select and purchase a gift card of his/her
choice to place
within the pocket or cavity of the greeting card.
In another embodiment of the greeting card of the present invention, shown in
FIGS. 17 ¨ 22, the greeting card contains a pop-up panel, as described in the
embodiments described above, and shown in FIGS. 1 - 8, but also contains a
mobile
- 13 -
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
element attached to the pop-up panel that is attached to a motor for effecting
movement
of the mobile element.
As described above with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 - 8, the
greeting card body has a front surface, a back surface parallel to and spaced
apart from
the front surface, and right, left and bottom side walls which extend between
the front
and back surfaces of the greeting card, creating a three-sided pocket or
cavity 72 therein.
A top edge of the pocket or cavity 70 is open to accommodate the insertion and
retraction
of a pop-up panel 72. The pocket or cavity 70, in a preferred embodiment, is
made of
paperboard, cardboard, although other various materials may be used. A
protective
frame 76 is contained inside the pocket or cavity 70, for retaining and
protecting
electronic components of the greeting card 300, a switch or trigger, an
activation
mechanism, and a pop-up panel 72 and moving element 74. The protective frame
76 can
be made from one or more pieces of cardboard or other material having various
cut-outs
or openings thereon to secure and protect the various internal components of
the greeting
card 300, as mentioned above. In certain areas where there are no internal
components, a
piece of foam, cardboard, or other material may be inserted therein to keep a
consistent
space within the cavity or pocket 70. The electronic components of the
greeting card
may include, but are not limited to: a circuit board 71 with integrated
circuit ship and
controller, a memory storage device upon which a least one audio file is
saved, a power
source 73, such as one or more batteries, a speaker 75, a motor 77, related
circuitry and
any other electronic component which may be required or which may help
facilitate
audio playback through the speaker, motor movement of a mobile element or any
other
special effects, such as lights, etc., which are known to one having skill in
the art. The
pop-up panel 72, in this embodiment, is similar to the pop-up panel described
above with
respect to the other embodiments, having a substantially planar front and back
surface
and being appropriately stiff or rigid. The pop-up panel 72 may have text,
drawings,
artwork or other indicia printed thereon. The panel 72 is positioned between
and parallel
to the front and back panels of the cavity or pocket 70. An optional sentiment
panel 84,
as shown in FIG. 18, may be attached to the back edge of the greeting card 300
and
which may be folded away from the pocket or cavity 70 (like a traditional
greeting card)
to reveal a message, greeting, drawing, picture, photo, or other printed
indicia.
-14-
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
The spring loaded mechanism includes two springs 78A, 78B and a push button
79. The two springs 78A, 78B are attached at a first end to the pop-up panel
72 and at
the opposite or second end, to the protective frame 76. When the pop-up panel
72 is in a
first position, it is substantially contained within and concealed by the
pocket or cavity
70, with the two springs 78A, 78B stretched out between a lower area of the
pop-up
panel 72 and an upper portion of the frame 76, as shown in FIG. 19. When the
pop-up
panel 72 is in a second position, it is substantially contained outside of the
pocket or
cavity 70, and the springs are back to their natural or unstretched state, as
shown in FIG.
20. The push button 79, which is accessed through a front surface of the
pocket or cavity
70, controls movement of the panel from the first position to the second
position. The
push button 79 contains an opening or indentation along a bottom surface
thereof. A
lower area of the pop-up panel 72 contains two opposing inward facing
projections 80A,
80B. When the pop-up panel 72 is in the first position, wherein it is
contained and
concealed within the pocket or cavity 70, the two projections 80A, 80B fit
within the
opening or indentation along the bottom surface of the push button 79. The
push button
79 thereby keeps or holds the pop-up panel 72 in place within the pocket or
cavity 70.
When the push button mechanism 79 is depressed or pushed inward from the front
surface of the greeting card 300, it moves the push button mechanism 79 inward
and
away from the two projections 80A, 80B on the pop-up panel 72, thereby
removing the
portion of the push button 79 which keeps the pop-up panel 72 in place within
the pocket
or cavity 70. Without the push button 79 holding the pop-up panel 72 in place
within the
pocket or cavity 70, the pop-up panel 72 is released, allowing the stretched
springs 78A,
78B to spring back to place, thereby pushing or ejecting the pop-up panel 72
upward and
outside of the pocket or cavity 70. Pushing the pop-up panel 72 back down into
the
cavity or pocket 70 re-secures the pop-up panel 72 to the push button 79
within the cavity
or pocket 70. In this particular embodiment, as mentioned above, a mobile
object or
element 74 is attached to the pop-up panel 72. In a preferred embodiment, the
mobile
object or element 74 is a substantially planar die cut shape, however, the
mobile object or
element 74 may also be non-planar and can be any type of relatively thin,
lightweight
object that is capable of movement by a small motor, such as the one described
herein.
The mobile object or element 74 is attached to a front surface of the pop up
panel 72. A
small motor 77 is attached to the die cut shape 74 which effects movement
thereof, when
- 15 -
..
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
,
,
S
activated. The motor 77 is contained within the pocket or cavity 70, concealed
from
view, regardless of the position of the pop-up panel 72. The motor 77 may be
of the type
having a rotating arm of shaft, which creates oscillatory motion upon rotating
of the shaft
by the motor. The motor 77 may alternatively be of the type having a rotating
gear
mechanism that when activated, turns a circular gear, as shown in FIG. 19. The
motor
77 may be of any type small enough to fit into the greeting card 300 and to
enable
movement of the mobile object 74. The mobile object or element 74 may be
attached
directly to the motor 77 or via an attachment mechanism or arm. In a preferred
embodiment, the press button 79, in addition to initiating propulsion of the
pop-up panel
72 from within the pocket or cavity 70 to outside of the pocket or cavity 70,
also causes
activation of the sound module to initiate playback of the at least one audio
file. The
sound module is controlled by a small lever 82 which is held in a first
position by the
pop-up panel 72, when the pop-up panel 72 is in its first position,
substantially contained
within the pocket or cavity 70. When the press-button 79 is depressed and the
pop-up
panel 72 moves into the second position, wherein it is substantially outside
of the pocket
or cavity 70, the lever 82 is released and moves into its second position
which allows
completion of a circuit, and thereby initiating playback of the at least one
audio file saved
within the sound module. Pushing the pop-up panel 72 back into the pocket or
cavity 70,
pushes the lever 82 back to its original position, thereby preventing the
completed circuit
and deactivating the sound module. The push button 79 also controls activation
of the
motor module 77 causing movement of the mobile object or element 74. In
alternate
embodiments, separate switches may be used to activate movement of the pop-up
panel
72, and sound and motor 77 module activation. Different switches may be used
in place
of the press button 79, such as a slide switch, a touch sensitive switch,
light sensitive
switch, sound sensitive switch, leaf switch, ball switch, or any other type of
switch
mechanism, known to one with skill in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the
press
button 79 is accessed through a front surface or panel of the greeting card
300. In
practice, pushing the push button 79 causes the pop-up panel 72 to emerge from
within
the pocket or cavity 70, activation of the motor module 77 causing movement of
the
mobile object or element 74 and activation of the sound module, causing audio
replay of
the at least one audio file through the speaker 75. This process resets and
repeats itself
each time the pop-up panel 72 is pushed back into the pocket or cavity 70 and
the push
- 16-
..
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
-..
button 79 is again depressed. The mobile object or element 74 may move back
and forth,
up and down, may rotate or spin or may move in any other type of motion which
can be
effected by a miniature motor. Pushing the pop-up panel 72 back into the
pocket or
cavity 70 will cause the sound and motor modules to deactivate. The sound
module may
also deactivate upon the full completion of the at least one audio file. The
motor module
77 may be synchronized to move the mobile object or element 74 in time with
the music
or song which may be contained on the sound module.
In another embodiment of the pop-up greeting card of the present disclosure
and
related inventions, shown in FIGS. 23 - 28, the greeting card contains a
manual crank
mechanism 82 which controls the movement of a pop-up panel 84 from a first
position
wherein it is substantially contained and concealed within a pocket inside the
greeting
card body 81 and a second position wherein it is substantially contained
outside of the
pocket. Similar to the embodiment described directly above, the pop-up panel
84
contains a mobile element 85 attached thereto that is attached to a motor 86
for effecting
movement of the mobile element 85.
As described above with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 - 8, the
greeting card body 81 has a front surface 81A, a back surface (not shown)
parallel to and
spaced apart from the front surface 81A, and right (not shown), left 81C and
bottom (not
shown) side walls which extend between the front 81A and back surfaces of the
greeting
card 81, creating a three-sided pocket or cavity therein. A top edge of the
pocket or
cavity is open to accommodate the insertion and retraction of a pop-up panel
84. The
greeting card body 81, in a preferred embodiment, is made of paperboard,
cardboard,
although other various materials may be used. A protective frame 83 is
contained inside
the pocket or cavity, for retaining and protecting electronic components of
the greeting
card 400, a switch or trigger, an activation mechanism, and a pop-up panel 84
and
moving element 84. The protective frame 83 can be made from one or more pieces
of
cardboard or other material having various cut-outs or openings thereon to
secure and
protect the various internal components of the greeting card 400, as mentioned
above. In
certain areas where there are no internal components, a piece of foam,
cardboard, or other
material may be inserted therein to keep a consistent space within the cavity
or pocket.
The electronic components of the greeting card 400 may include, but are not
limited to: a
circuit board with integrated circuit chip and controller 87, a memory storage
device
- 17 -
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
upon which a least one audio file is saved, a power source, such as one or
more batteries
88, a speaker 89, a motor 86, related circuitry and any other electronic
component which
may be required or which may help facilitate audio playback through the
speaker 89,
motor movement of a mobile element 85 or any other special effects, such as
lights, etc.,
which are known to one having skill in the art. The greeting card 400 may
optionally
contain a sentiment panel 96, shown in FIG. 24, which is attached to the left
perimeter
surface of the greeting card 400 or to the back panel of the greeting card
400. The
sentiment panel folds outward away from the greeting card 400 to reveal a
message or
greeting therein and/or display photos, drawings, pictures or other printing
thereon. The
sentiment panel 96 gives the greeting card 400 are more traditional look and
feel by
having a panel which can open and close by pivoting about a fold line to
reveal artwork,
text sentiment or other printing thereon and by providing a space wherein a
consumer can
sign his/her name and write a personal message thereon.
The pop-up panel 84, in this embodiment, is similar to the pop-up panel 84
described above with respect to the other embodiments, having a substantially
planar
front and back surface and being appropriately stiff or rigid. The pop-up
panel 84 may
have text, drawings, artwork or other indicia printed thereon. The panel 84 is
positioned
between and parallel to the front and back panels of the cavity or pocket. A
spring
loaded mechanism, shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, which includes two springs 90A,
90B,
are attached to the pop-up panel 84. When the pop-up panel 84 is in a first
position, it is
substantially contained within and concealed by the pocket or cavity, as shown
in FIGS.
23, 25, and 26. A mechanical crank mechanism 82 is located along the right
side
perimeter of the greeting card 400. The crank mechanism 82 is an arm attached
at right
angles to a rotating shaft 91 by which reciprocating motion is imparted to or
received
from the shaft 91. It is used to covert circular motion into reciprocating
motion or vice-
versa, similar to the activation mechanism of a traditional jack-in-the-box
children's toy.
The rotating shaft 91 works in connection with a gear/spring mechanism 92
(including,
but not limited to: one or more gears, a spring, a latch and lever), shown in
FIGS. 25 -
27, which is connected to a vertical rod 93. The vertical rod 93 is connected
at a right
angle to a horizontal rod 94. The horizontal rod 94 is used as a lever wherein
pushing
downward on the right end of the horizontal rod 94 causes the left end of the
rod to move
upward, as shown in FIG. 26. When the left end of the horizontal rod 94 moves
upward,
- 18-
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
it releases a latch or catch arm 95 attached to a bottom surface of the pop-up
panel 84.
This latch or catch arm 95 holds the pop-up panel 84 inside the greeting card
pocket.
When the crank 82 is turned (for approximately three full revolutions) by a
user, the
gear/spring mechanism 92, the vertical 93 and horizontal 94 rods cause release
of the
latch or catch arm 95, which in turn releases the pop-up panel 84 which is
ejected from
within the pocket to substantially outside of the pocket, as shown in FIGS. 24
and 28.
As noted above, a mobile object or element 85 is attached to the pop-up panel
84. In a
preferred embodiment, the mobile object or element 85 is a substantially
planar die cut
shape, however, the mobile object or element 85 may also be non-planar and can
be any
type of relatively thin, lightweight object that is capable of movement by a
small motor,
such as the one described herein. The mobile object or element 85 is attached
to a front
surface of the pop-up panel 84. A small motor 86 is attached to the mobile
object or
element 85 which effects movement thereof, when activated. The motor 86 is
contained
within the pocket, concealed from view, regardless of the position of the pop-
up panel
84. The motor 86 may be of the type having a rotating arm of shaft, which
creates
oscillatory motion upon rotating of the shaft by the motor. The motor 86 may
alternatively be of the type having a rotating gear mechanism that when
activated, turns a
circular gear. The motor 86 may be of any type small enough to fit into the
greeting card
and to enable movement of the mobile object. The mobile object or element 85
may be
attached directly to the motor 86 or via an attachment mechanism or arm. In a
preferred
embodiment, the crank mechanism 82 initiates propulsion of the pop-up panel
84,
activation of the sound module to cause playback of the at least one audio
file, and
activation of the motor module 86 causing movement of the mobile object or
element 85,
after three full revolutions of the crank 82, although fewer or more than
three revolutions
may cause the movement of the pop-up panel 84 and activation of the sound and
motor
86 modules. The sound module is activated via a small lever 97 which is held a
first
position by the pop-up panel 84, when the pop-up panel 84 is in its first
position,
substantially contained within the greeting card 400. When the pop-up panel 84
is
ejected from the greeting card 400 by turning the crank mechanism 82, the
lever 97
which controls activation of the sound module is released into a second
position,
allowing for a completed circuit and initiating playback of the at least one
audio file
saved on the sound module, as shown in FIG. 28. In alternate embodiments,
separate
- 19-
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
,
..
switches may be used to activate movement of the pop-up panel 84, and sound
and motor
86 module activation. Different activation mechanisms may be used in place of
the crank
mechanism, such as a slide switch, a touch sensitive switch, light sensitive
switch, sound
sensitive switch, leaf switch, ball switch, or any other type of switch
mechanism, known
to one with skill in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the crank mechanism
82 exits the
greeting card on the right perimeter side of the greeting card 400, although
it may be
placed in any other location on the greeting card 400. Turning the crank 82
causes the
pop-up panel 84 to emerge from within the pocket or cavity, activation of the
motor
module 86 causing movement of the mobile object or element 85 and activation
of the
sound module, causing audio replay of the at least one audio file through the
speaker 89.
This process resets and repeats itself each time the pop-up panel 84 is pushed
back into
the pocket or cavity and the crank 82 is again turned. The mobile object or
element 85
may move back and forth, up and down, may rotate or spin or may move in any
other
type of motion which can be effected by a miniature motor. Pushing the pop-up
panel 84
back into the pocket or cavity will cause the sound and motor 86 modules to
deactivate.
The sound module may also deactivate upon the full completion of the at least
one audio
file. The motor module 86 may be synchronized to move the mobile object or
element
85 in time with the music or song which may be contained on the sound module.
Although the sound and motor modules have been described herein as being
activated
upon three full revolutions of the crank mechanism 82, however, one, two, four
or any
other number of revolutions may be required to cause the pop-up panel 84 to be
ejected
from within the pocket and also to activate the sound and motor modules.
In yet another embodiment of the pop-up greeting card of the present
disclosure
and related inventions, shown in FIGS. 29 ¨ 32, the greeting card 500 contains
a manual
lever or arm mechanism 102 which controls the movement of a pop-up panel 103
from a
first position wherein it is substantially contained and concealed within a
pocket inside
the greeting card body 500 and a second position wherein it is substantially
contained
outside of the pocket. This greeting card 500 also contains lighting effects
to simulate
the look and feel of a slot machine.
As described above with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 8,
the greeting card body 101 has a front surface 101A, a back surface (not
shown) parallel
to and spaced apart from the front surface 101A, and right (not shown), left
101D, top
- 20 -
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
,
=
101E and bottom side walls which extend between the front 101A and back
surfaces of
the greeting card 500, creating a three-sided pocket or cavity therein. A top
or bottom
edge of the pocket or cavity is open to accommodate the insertion and
retraction of a
pop-up panel 103. The pocket or cavity, in a preferred embodiment, is made of
paperboard, cardboard, although other various materials may be used. An
optional
sentiment panel may be attached to the back edge of the greeting card 500
which may be
folded away from the greeting card (like a traditional greeting card) to
reveal a message,
greeting, drawing, picture, photo, or other printed indicia. A protective
frame 109 is
contained inside the pocket or cavity, for retaining and protecting electronic
components
of the greeting card 500, a switch or trigger, an activation mechanism, and
the pop-up
panel 103. The protective frame 109 can be made from one or more pieces of
cardboard
or other material having various cut-outs or openings thereon to secure and
protect the
various internal components of the greeting card, as mentioned above. In
certain areas
where there are no internal components, a piece of foam, cardboard, or other
material
may be inserted therein to keep a consistent space within the cavity or
pocket. The
electronic components of the greeting card may include, but are not limited
to: a circuit
board with integrated circuit chip and controller 104, a memory storage device
upon
which a least one audio file is saved, a power source, such as one or more
batteries 105, a
speaker 106, and related circuitry and any other electronic components which
may be
required or which may help facilitate audio playback through the speaker 106,
motor
movement of a mobile element or any other special effects, such as lights,
etc., which are
known to one having skill in the art. The pop-up panel 103, in this
embodiment, is
similar to the pop-up panel described above with respect to the other
embodiments,
having a substantially planar front and back surface and being appropriately
stiff or rigid.
The pop-up panel 103 may have text, drawings, artwork or other indicia printed
thereon.
In a preferred embodiment, the pop-up panel 103 contains a pocket thereon 110
into
which a standard-size gift card 111 may be inserted, as shown in FIG. 30. A
portion of
the front surface of the pop-up panel may be transparent so that the greeting
card
recipient can see the gift card 111 contained within the pocket 110 on the pop-
up panel
103. The pop-up panel 103 is positioned between and parallel to the front and
back
panels of the cavity or pocket of the greeting card 500. A lever or arm 102 is
attached to
the right perimeter of the greeting card body 101. The vertical lever or arm
102 can be
- 21 -
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
,
,
pulled in a downward motion, similar to the motion of pulling the arm of a
slot machine.
The lever or arm 102 is operative to move the pop-up panel from a first
position, wherein
it is substantially contained within the cavity or pocket, as shown in FIGS.
29 and 31,
and a second position, wherein it is substantially outside of the cavity or
pocket, as
shown in FIGS. 30 and 32. The vertical lever or arm 102 is attached via one or
more
segments or rods 116 which are in contact with an attachment lever 112 which
holds the
pop-up panel 103 in place within the greeting card pocket, via a latch or arm
113 which
is attached to the pop-up panel 103. Two springs 114A, 114B are connected
between the
protective frame 109 and pop-up panel 103 which enable the pop-up panel 103 to
spring
out of or be ejected from the pocket or cavity in the greeting card 500. When
the vertical
lever or arm 102 is pulled in a downward direction, the one or more segments
or rods 116
tilt or move the attachment lever 112 causing it to tilt and release the pop-
up panel 103 so
that it can be ejected through the opening in the bottom perimeter surface of
the greeting
card 500, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 32. The bottom edge of the cavity or pocket
is open
for the insertion and removal of the pop-up panel 103. Again, the panel 103
may contain
a greeting or message, photo or other indicia printed thereon and also contain
a pocket
therein into which a gift card may be inserted. A gift card may be sold with
the greeting
card or the greeting card may be sold without the greeting card so that a
consumer may
insert a gift card of his/her choice. While the preferred embodiment contains
a sleeve or
pocket 110 having three closed sides and one open side for the insertion and
removal of
the gift card, which is attached to the pop-up panel 103, the gift card 111
may
alternatively be removably attached to the pop-up panel 103 or contained
within an
envelope which is removably attached to the pop-up panel 103. To further
resemble and
simulate the actions of a slot machine, the front panel 101A of the greeting
card 500
contains, in a preferred embodiment, three openings or windows 107 thereon.
Each
opening or window 107 may contain a clear, opaque or semi-transparent material
which
covers each opening. This material may contain printing or outline thereon
which may
be letters, numbers or symbols, such as, for example, a lemon, a gold bar, a
cherry, etc.
Beneath this material are one or more lights 108. The lever or arm 102 also
controls the
illumination of the one or more lights 108. The lights may be activated by a
switch 115
having a lever which is held in a first position by the pop-up panel 103 when
the pop-up
panel 103 is in its first positon within the greeting card 500, as shown in
FIG. 31. When
- 22 -
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
the pop-up panel 103 is moved into the second positon wherein it is outside of
the
greeting card 500, the movement of the pop-up panel 103 causes the release of
the lever
115 into a second position wherein it activates the circuit to cause
illumination of the one
or more lights 108 in the greeting card 500, as shown in FIG. 32. The lights
108 may
simply go on upon pulling the lever 102 or they may blink, twinkle, flash, or
perform
some other pre-programmed lighting effect. The lights 108 may simply
illuminate or
reveal the symbols printed or etched onto the material covering the openings
or windows
107 on the front panel 101A of the greeting card 500. The switch 115 which
controls
activation of the lights 108 may additionally initiate audio playback of at
least one audio
file which is contained on a sound module contained within the greeting card
500.
Alternatively, the sound and lights may be initiated by separate switches. In
operation, a
user pulls downward on the lever or arm 102 located on the right side
perimeter 101D of
the greeting card 500. This initiates simultaneous audio playback through the
speaker
106 within the greeting card 500, lighting effects 108 which are seen through
the three
windows or openings 107 on the front 101A of the greeting card 500, and
movement of
the pop-up panel 103 from a first position, wherein the pop-up panel 103 is
substantially
contained within the pocket or cavity and a second position, wherein the pop-
up panel
103 is substantially outside of the pocket or cavity, the pop-up panel 103
revealing a
greeting or message or presenting the recipient with a gift card removably
attached
thereto. While this greeting card embodiment has been described herein as
having three
openings or windows 107 on the front 101A of the greeting card 500, the
greeting card
500 may have less than three openings, at least one opening, three or more
openings, or
any number of openings or windows 107 thereon. Also, the pop-up panel 103 has
been
described as being ejected through an opening in the bottom edge 101E of the
greeting
card cavity or pocket, however, the opening may be along the top edge or
either side
edge. The lever or arm 102 may be placed elsewhere on the greeting card and
may also
be replaced by some other manual mechanism while still being in the scope of
the present
disclosure.
While the embodiments disclosed herein and shown in the figures have a
generally square or rectangular shape, the greeting card may take on any
conceivable die
cut shape. The greeting card may also be made of alternate material such as
plastic or
foam. Also, the greeting card has been described and shown as having a
particular
- 23 -
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
switch which is operative to move the inner greeting card panel(s) from within
a main
pocket to outside the main pocket, however, any type of switch, such as a
touch sensitive
switch, a slide tongue switch, a light sensitive switch, a motion sensitive
switch, a hand
crank, a lever or any other mechanical or electromechanical device may be
used. Also,
the switch described herein controls both the movement of the inner panel(s)
and also
playback of an audio file, however, two separate switches may control the
movement of
the panel(s) and the playback of audio.
All of the embodiments described herein may additionally contain a USB port,
SD card slot or other external memory device port for receiving or uploading
audio files
from an external source such as a personal computer. The greeting card
embodiments
disclosed herein may also contain a sentiment panel which is attached to a
front or back
surface or side of the main pocket or panel and serves as a traditional
greeting card that is
folded along a fold line and opened along said fold line to reveal a message,
artwork, etc.
Other additional features which have been contemplated are a microphone for
recording
a personalized user message for playback upon activation of the press button
or other
such switch; a motor module for mechanical movement of one or more movable
elements which are attached in some way to the greeting card; and one or more
LED
lights which are visible through the front of the greeting card and which are
illuminated
upon pressing the press button or other such switch. Combination of the above-
mentioned additional special effects or features have also been contemplated
and are
considered to be within the scope of the present invention. One or more
features of the
various embodiments described above may also be combined to form yet another
embodiment which is considered to be within the scope of the present
disclosure and
related inventions.
The disclosure and related inventions thus provide novel card constructions
and
operations which can be constructed inexpensively and efficiently, and
advantageously
from primarily paperboard materials configured to securely hold mechanical and
electronic components to enable a wide variety of functions and features which
enhance
the effectiveness of the card as a communication and entertainment device.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations
and/or
modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific
embodiments
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly
described. The
- 24 -
CA 2964917 2017-04-21
present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not
restrictive. Other features and aspects of this invention will be appreciated
by those
skilled in the art upon reading and comprehending this disclosure. Such
features,
aspects, and expected variations and modifications of the reported results and
examples
are clearly within the scope of the invention where the invention is limited
solely by the
scope of the following claims.
- 25 -
