GB2283204A

GB2283204A - Variable-message greeting card.

Info

Publication number: GB2283204A
Application number: GB9415132A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Maxwell-Stewart
Original assignee: PRUE THEOBALDS Ltd
Current assignee: PRUE THEOBALDS Ltd
Priority date: 1993-10-28
Filing date: 1994-07-27
Publication date: 1995-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2014-07-27
Also published as: GB2283204B; GB9322253D0; GB9415132D0

Abstract

A greetings card (which may be of single ply, folded single ply, or more complex construction) has an area adapted to releasably receive a separate message-bearing element selected from a plurality of such elements having different respective greetings. As shown (Fig 3) the message-bearing element may be a small rectangular card (12) which is engaged in slits (13, 14) incised in the main card. In alternative embodiments the message bearing elements may have hook-like outlines or incised formations for engagement in a slit in the main card. The message-bearing elements may have distinctive outlines and designs. The card may be sold in a transparent sheath together with a plurality of different message-bearing elements (e.g. in the form of a sheet of mutually separable cards 12), an envelope, and instructions for use. <IMAGE>

Description

GREETINGS CARDS Field of the Invention This invention relates to greetings cards.

The greetings card industry is a substantial industry and there are now many shops which have a very wide selection of cards for many different occasions. Despite the available choice, however, it can still be very difficult to obtain the "right" card with the "right" message.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a novel form of greetings card which reduces the problem outlined above.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a greetings card which includes a display portion formed to provide a mounting and a plurality of message-carrying elements selectively releasably mountable on the mounting of the display portion.

The mounting of the display portion may be afforded by one or more incisions arranged to receive a selected messagecarrying element.

It is to be understood that, when we refer to the message-carrying elements as being "releasably mountable" on the display portion, we do not include message-carrying elements which are adhesive-backed and are intended to be attached permanently to the display portion.

In a preferred arrangement, the display portion includes a representation of a person or animal and the mounting provided by the incision or incisions is such that, when a message-carrying element is mounted on the display portion, the total display is such that the person or animal appears to be carrying the message.

The message-carrying elements may be in the form of separate cards which can be selectively mounted on the display portion. Alternatively, the message-carrying elements can be afforded by a single sheet of card which is printed with a plurality of messages and is scored, perforated or otherwise formed so as to facilitate separation of the individual messages.

Each message-carrying element may itself be formed with an incision, preferably of hook shape, which cooperates with a complementary hook-shaped incision formed in the display portion to facilitate engagement of the message-carrying element with the display portion.

In an alternative arrangement, each message-carrying element is of orthogonal or other configuration and is not formed with an incision, the mounting on the display portion then being afforded by one or more incisions which are shaped to provide, for example, a flap under which the messagecarrying element can be tucked or a pair of spaced slots in which corners or other parts of the message-carrying element can be placed.

The selection of messages may be, for example, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY", "MERRY CHRISTMAS", "THANK YOU", "CONGRATULATIONS", "WITH LOVE" and "GET WELL SOON". The messages may be printed on a single sheet of such size that it readily fits within the packing in which the greetings card is marketed. Other messages or a blank on which the purchaser of the card may write his or her own message may also be provided.

The greetings card may comprise a sheet folded into two to provide a front or display portion and a rear portion. The front or display portion may be printed with a representation which includes a front view of a person or animal and the rear portion may be printed with a representation which includes a rear view of the person or animal.

The representation may be that of a "Teddy Bear" and incisions may be formed around a substantial part of one of the arms or paws of the "Teddy Bear" such that a selected message carrying element can be "tucked" under the arm, or fitted into the paw, of the "Teddy Bear".

The packaging for the greetings card may include a transparent outer cover within which the greetings card and an envelope for the greetings card are displayed, together with the plurality of message-carrying elements and an instruction sheet concerning their use.

As an alternative to arranging for "tucking" of a selected message-carrying element under, for example, the arm of a "Teddy Bear", the display portion may include, for example, a representation of a "Teddy Bear" with a raised arm formed with a hook-shaped incision which cooperates with a complementary incision of a selected message-carrying element so that the "Teddy Bear" appears to be holding the message aloft.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 shows a greetings card, Figure 2 shows a set of message-carrying elements which are sold with the card of Figure 1, and Figure 3 shows the greetings card of Figure 1 in combination with one of the message-carrying elements of Figure 2.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment The greetings card 10 shown in the drawings is formed from a sheet of card which is cut to the required shape and is folded in half so as to provide a front or display portion 11 and a rear portion (not shown). The front or display portion 11 is printed so that it carries a picture of a person or animal.

In the particular embodiment shown in the drawings, the picture is that of a "Teddy Bear". The interior of the card may be printed but, for simplicity, is preferably blank.

Although reference has been made above to the formation of the greetings card from a single sheet of card folded into two, other card configurations can be employed, ranging from a single sheet without a fold to greetings cards of much more complex formation.

It is to be appreciated that, although the drawings show a representation of a "Teddy Bear", many other characters may be represented, depending on the market segment on which the card manufacturer is concentrating.

The greetings card 10 is sold in a transparent cover, within which an envelope for the card is also contained, together with a sheet on which a plurality of messages are printed. The sheet is perforated or scored so that it can readily be divided into a number of rectangular elements 12. In this instance there are six such elements 12, five of which carry "messages", i.e. "Thank You", "Congratulations", "Good Luck", "Happy Birthday" and "With Love". The sixth element 12 is blank so that the purchaser of the card can apply his or her own message.

As shown in Figure 1, the display portion 11 is formed with an incision 13 which extends along part of an arm and paw of the "Teddy Bear" and with an incision 14 which extends around part of one of the feet of the "Teddy Bear". The incisions 13 and 14 provide a mounting for a selected one of the message-carrying elements 12.

As shown in Figure 3, the message-carrying element 12 is mounted on the display portion 11 of the card 10 so that one corner of the element 12 fits in incision 13 and part of the lower edge of the element 12 is supported in incision 14. The element 12 is thus supported in a stable manner in such a way that the "Teddy Bear" appears to be carrying the message.

It is to be appreciated that many other arrangements may be provided for releasably mounting the elements on the display portion. For example, hook-shaped incisions may be formed in the elements 12 for cooperation with similarly shaped incisions formed in the display portion 11 so that, for example, the releasable mounting of a message-carrying element in a raised paw of a "Teddy Bear" will be facilitated.

An important advantage of the present invention is that it reduces production costs for a greetings card manufacturer who produces cards for sale in a number of countries. The card itself will then not be printed with any words; these will only be on the sheet of message-carrying elements. The artwork required to produce, for example, cards in English, Dutch and German will be the same for the three different languages only the messages will be in the different languages.

Claims

Claims: 1. A greetings card which includes a display portion formed to provide a mounting and a plurality of messagecarrying elements selectively releasably mountable on the mounting of the display portion. 2. A greetings card as claimed in Claim 1, in which the mounting of the display portion is afforded by one or more incisions arranged to receive a selected message-carrying element. 3. A greetings card as claimed in Claim 1, in which the display portion includes a representation of a person or animal and the arrangement is such that, when a message-carrying element is mounted on the display portion, the total display is such that the person or animal appears to be carrying the message. 4. A greetings card as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the message-carrying elements are in the form of separate cards which can be selectively mounted on the display portion. 5. A greetings card as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the message-carrying elements are afforded by a single sheet of card which is printed with a plurality of messages and is scored, perforated or otherwise formed so as to facilitate separation of the individual messages. 6. A greetings card as claimed in Claim 1, in which each of the message-carrying elements is of generally rectangular form and in which the mounting on the display portion is afforded by a pair of spaced incisions to support a selected element. 7. A greetings card as claimed in Claim 4, in which representation is that of a "Teddy Bear" and in which the mounting includes an incision which extends around part at least of a paw of the "Teddy Bear". 8. A greetings card substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

1. A greetings card which includes a display portion and a plurality of indicia-carrying elements selectively releasably mountable in one or more incisions formed in the display portion.

2. A greetings card as claimed in Claim 1, in which a pair of spaced incisions are formed in the display portion.

3. A greetings card which includes a display portion formed to provide a mounting and a plurality of messagecarrying elements selectively releasably mountable on the mounting of the display portion.

4. A greetings card as claimed in Claim 3, in which the mounting of the display portion is afforded by one or more incisions arranged to receive a selected message-carrying element.

5. A greetings card as claimed in Claim 3, in which the display portion includes a representation of a person or animal and the arrangement is such that, when a message-carrying element is mounted on the display portion, the total display is such that the person or animal appears to be carrying the message.

6. A greetings card as claimed in any one of CLaims 3 to 5, in which the message-carrying elements are in the form of separate cards which can be selectively mounted on the display portion.

7. A greetings card as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5, in which the message-carrying elements are afforded by a single sheet of card which is printed with a plurality of messages and is scored, perforated or otherwise formed so as to facilitate separation of the individual messages.

8. A greetings card as claimed in Claim 3, in which each of the message-carrying elements is of generally rectangular form and in which the mounting on the display portion is afforded by a pair of spaced incisions to support a selected element.

9. A greetings card as claimed in Claim 5, in which the representation is that of a "Teddy Bear" and in which the mounting includes an incision which extends around part at least of a paw of the "Teddy Bear".

10. A greetings card substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.