Patent Grant
10741099
The present invention relates to a novelty business/greeting/advertising display card that has folds and slits to make a standing business/greeting/advertising display card, which is capable of standing upright on a flat surface, such as a desk, table or counter top. The novelty is that it requires only a single piece of cardstock paper, and no need to remove any surface material parts for interior holes. Optionally the straight bottom may have an arcuate surface, capable of making the novelty card oscillate in a rocking side to side motion.
Prior similar novelty cards articles have been A) more complex, B) more expensive, C) have not been designed to allow for small-size embodiments, D) are difficult to transport in large quantities, and E) are not designed to appeal to specific markets.
The present invention solves these issues.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,898,110 of Overbaugh (1959) discloses a cardboard golf tee which includes a first panel portion with a bottom portion which is bendable to form support legs, but the top portion requires removal of a circular disk of cardstock material which forms a round open aperture capable of holding a spherical golf ball, either snugly firm inside the aperture formed from the removal of a circular disk of material from the device, or else within two hemispherical portions, which are formed by folding the cardstock at the midpoint of the aperture formed from the removal of the circular disk of material (thereby rendering the cardstock of Overbaugh '110 as having a discontinuous portion, where the excess circular disk of material was removed from. Overbaugh '110 also requires serrated edges to grip into grass and turf, and these serrated edges would be a series of points instead of a continuous edge, and therefore might not be stable upon a flat solid surface, such as a desk top, countertop or table top surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,800 of Rose (1999) discloses a pop-up display amusement card, which requires a plurality of pieces joined together from multiple card stock pieces, with separate fasteners or adhesive connectors.
Both U.S. Pat. No. 1,947,521 to Einson (1934) and U.S. Pat. No. 2,815,597 to Carter (1957) show countertop displays. Both are more complex to manufacture and erect than the present invention, while requiring the construction of an easel. Both require much more display space in their smallest embodiments. In contrast to Einson '21 and Carter '597, the present invention can be made as small as a centimeter square, but is currently made in the size of a conventional business card (2″×3.5″) or greeting card (approximately 5″×8″) in most situations. It stands unaided by any additional attachment, spar or easel.
One method that allows for the perpendicular display of an image is that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,669 to Moran (1991) in which a four-panel box has a perforation from which the image can be punched out. In contrast to Moran '669, the present invention uses less than half of the material for a comparable size display and, in most embodiments, requires no punching out of a perforated image within the panels defined by the exterior periphery of the card.
Other single-part cards that are designed to be deployed quickly require specialized structures below them to stand perpendicular. U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,711 (1920) to Sargent and U.S. Pat. No. 2,651,862 (1953) to Fine show simple displays that are designed to be placed on top of long-neck bottles and gable-topped milk cartons, respectively.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,530,950 (1950) to Benchley shows a two-sided display that requires several folds, a slit and a tab to accomplish what the present invention delivers without these complexities.
Currently there are a number of solutions for a card that stands perpendicular to a horizontal surface. Further, there are a number of conventional solutions for bringing attention to printed advertisements. Some of these solutions attempt to bring attention through graphic design or surface treatments, but these solutions fail to meet the needs of industry because these conventional business cards, postcards and other traditional flat advertising pieces are not designed to be displayed easily or viewed repeatedly. Most such pieces are quickly filed away or destroyed. It is desirable for any advertising to offer repetitive exposures for the advertiser.
Since conventional business cards, post cards and other small advertising displays lack any feature of uniqueness once they have been conveyed their greeting, they retain little impact and are often soon discarded. Therefore, there currently exists a need in the advertising industry for a Card that Stands Perpendicular to a Horizontal Surface.
The present invention delivers the following several objects and advantages over the prior art.
The present invention enables the recipient of such a piece to easily and quickly display it perpendicular to a counter, desktop or shelf, which in turn makes the advertising message available for many repetitive viewings. The present invention requires no instructions and takes as little as one second to deploy.
It would be desirable to have a business card, rack card, sign or other advertising display, that enables the recipient to display it on a desk, counter or shelf, without the need to use adhesive tape, construct an easel, attach external stands or use fasteners such as nails or tacks.
Competitive products, including distinctively printed advertising cards, countertop displays, and promotional products, usually have multiple parts and, accordingly, are usually priced much higher than the present invention.
The present invention is a single part, made of conventional modern materials.
The size of the card will vary depending on the rigidity of the material from which it is made, from something as small as a square centimeter to as large will fit through a conventional doorway.
The ratio of the height or surface volume of the display panel of the card to base part(s) will vary according to the need of the advertiser, and
The shape of the display panel and base part(s) will vary according to the requirements of the customer.
Non-flat advertising tools, such as countertop displays and promotional products, are often bulky and cannot be easily carried in significant numbers. The present invention is available in various sizes, the smaller of which can be carried by an individual by the hundreds of pieces.
Other solutions attempt to provide temporary entertainment value or reference information, but these solutions are similarly unable to meet the needs of the industry because they do not solve the problem of how to generate repeated exposures.
This is particularly true for advertising that features a popular image, such as a brand mascot or iconic character, or a portrait of an entertainer, author, speaker or other featured individual.
The present invention advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a novelty card that can be designed in an unlimited number of two-dimensional shapes, including those that emphasize a popular image, such as a brand mascot or iconic character, or a portrait of an entertainer, author, speaker or other featured individual.
The present invention provides a new and unique way for general business advertisers, restaurant businesses, non-profit organizations, sports teams, and celebrities to have a fully customized card that has none of the disadvantages of prior art.
The present invention can be customized in unlimited ways, including as a mailing piece, sales brochure, business card, safety information card, menu, game piece, souvenir, and autograph card.
It is still further an object of the present invention to create a device that is more easily displayed.
Further still, it is an object of the present invention to create a device that leverages the special graphic images of customers.
Other objects will become apparent from the following description of the present invention.
In keeping with the aforementioned objects and advantages, the present invention includes self-standing novelty business and greeting cards made from a single sheet of cardstock paper having continuous linear or non-linear circumferential edge periphery. While the circumferential periphery edge can be square or rectangular with linear lines, optionally the circumferential edge periphery of the cardstock sheet can have curved, undulating non-linear lines in the form of all or part of the profile of a character associated with the business or greeting card. The single sheet of cardstock paper has no removed internal material portions within the confines of the exterior periphery of the card, capable of forming open apertures within the single sheet of cardstock paper. The single sheet of cardstock paper includes a top continuously extending indicia displaying portion separated from a bottom standing support structure portion by a common linear foldable edge crease. The erect standing of the bottom standing support structure is accomplished by predetermined slits, which are cut along a plurality of edges, such as, for example, three edges, forming slits in the bottom portion of the cardstock sheet. They are then folded along a single top horizontally extending edge crease forming legs spaced apart at distal bottom edges and joined at the top by the horizontally extending folded top edge crease, of the bottom portion of the cardstock sheet. Furthermore, no material is removed from the card other than incidental material along its slit edges of the leg portions.
The present invention is a novelty card that stands perpendicular to a horizontal surface along flat bottom edges of two or three support legs. In an optional alternate embodiment, the flat bottom edges are optionally arcuate, enabling the novelty card to be rocked in a back and forth rocking motion.
The card is made up of a single piece of material on which graphic images and letters have been printed and which has been specially shaped and cut along its periphery edge, and pre-creased to enable a recipient to fold the base part of it, so that the display part will rise up perpendicular to, or at a raked angle from, the horizontal surface on which it is placed.
The present invention is unique in that it is structurally different from other known devices or solutions. More specifically, the present invention is unique due to the presence of:
(1) a crease to enable easy and accurate folding;
(2) a base section designed to enable the main display panel to stand upright;
(3) custom shaping for the display and/or base sections to differentiate the piece from any other advertising cards; and
(4) only a simple, single piece of stock, with no need for any adhesives, external stands, instructions or tools with which to assemble it.
Among other things, the present invention provides a card that stands perpendicular to a horizontal surface that does not suffer from any of the problems or deficiencies associated with prior solutions.
The novelty card stands perpendicular to a horizontal surface, and includes:
a) a single sheet of semi-rigid, flexible material,
b) the sheet being modified so that at least one crease is added that creates a hinge to differentiate between:
1) a main display panel with a continuous non-cut surface provided within the confines of the main display panel, and
2) a bifurcated base that enables the main display panel to stand perpendicular or raked in perspective to the surface upon which it is placed,
The semi-rigid material is at least one of the following materials: paper card stock made of wood fibers, other natural fibers or man-made fibers, plastic card stock, metal plate, metal sheet, metal foil, printable plastic or composite sheets comprising various flexible and rigid materials, or combinations thereof.
The semi-rigid material is printed or imprinted using at least one of the following methods: offset lithography, digital toner printing, xerography, ink jet printing, LED printing, silk screening using ink, paint or dyes, dye sublimation, photographic printing, foil stamping, foil or other imprinting, letterpress, debossing, embossing, laser etching, laser imprinting, laser burning, rubber die imprinting, hand inking, hand painting or ultraviolet coating, or combinations thereof.
The semi-rigid material is creased using of the following technologies: manual creasing, hand creasing, cutting plotter, electric scoring machine, letterpress, die matrix on offset press, cylinder press, rotary die cutting, flexible die, micro-slitting, laser etching, or combinations thereof.
The semi-rigid material is cut to shape using one of the following technologies: hand cutting, digital contour cutting, cutting plotter, clinking, steel-rule die, letterpress, cylinder press, rotary die cutting, flexible die, rotary magnetic cylinder die cutting, laser cutting or extrusion, or combinations thereof.
The semi-rigid material is cut to any size, from as small as one centimeter to as large as the material will allow unsupported standing perpendicular to the surface upon which said card is placed.
Optionally, the card may have a second or additional crease, parallel to the first crease, which is added to the base component to create a flange or foot extending therefrom.
Optionally also, the novelty card may be embedded into a larger sheet of the same semi-rigid material, which is pre-creased but not cut into the shape described by the graphics printed on it. Instead of being cut to shape, there are perforations designed to let the recipient of said piece to punch out the novelty card that stands perpendicular to a horizontal surface, such as a desk top, countertop or table top.
Optionally further, the bottom edges of the card, instead of being straight and horizontally oriented to enable the card to stand perpendicular upon a horizontal surface, the bottoms edges can be arcuate, to enable the novelty card to be rocked by the user's fingertips, in a back and forth, or side to side, amusing motion.
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. Closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which:
The drawings show examples of said Card from multiple views and in five embodiments. Closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.
Tripod Base Embodiment:
Tripod Base Embodiment of the Invention with Optional Flange or Foot:
In an alternate embodiment where instead of the edge periphery of the card having curved lines imitating the profile of an iconic figure or character, the top panel of the card is a standard, rectangular card, as in
Box-in-Box Embodiment:
In this alternate optional embodiment, where instead of the edge periphery of the card having curved lines imitating the profile of an iconic figure or character, the top panel of the card is a standard, rectangular card, as in
Custom-Box Embodiment:
In the alternate optional embodiment, where instead of the edge periphery of the card having curved lines imitating the profile of an iconic figure or character, the top panel of the card is a standard, rectangular card, as in
Arcuate Base Embodiment:
While the circumferential periphery edge can be optionally square or rectangular with linear lines, as shown in
In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions are used to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrations depicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms and illustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention.
It is further known that other modifications may be made to the present invention, without departing the scope of the invention, as noted in the appended Claims.
This application claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119(e) of provisional application No. 62/000,675 filed May 20, 2014. The provisional '675 application is incorporated by reference herein. This application is a continuation under 35 USC § 120 of application Ser. No. 15/372,131 filed Dec. 7, 2016. The '131 application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 14/718,058 filed May 20, 2015 and claims priority under 35 USC § 120 therefrom. The '131 application and the '058 application are incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 580858 | Gibson | Apr 1897 | A |
| 740228 | Carpenter | Sep 1903 | A |
| 1343054 | Hurlbut | Jun 1920 | A |
| 1704561 | Egan | Mar 1929 | A |
| 1818516 | Willis | Aug 1931 | A |
| 2208354 | Anderson | Jul 1940 | A |
| 2795877 | Falk | Jun 1957 | A |
| 2898110 | Overbaugh | Aug 1959 | A |
| D341621 | Evenson | Nov 1993 | S |
| 5943800 | Rose | Aug 1999 | A |
| 6568543 | Schneider | May 2003 | B1 |
| D683407 | Austria | May 2013 | S |
| D697555 | Furber | Jan 2014 | S |
| 20090320335 | Thomas | Dec 2009 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 11089645 | Apr 1999 | JP |
| 2006296849 | Nov 2006 | JP |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20190073927 A1 | Mar 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62000675 | May 2014 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15372131 | Dec 2016 | US |
| Child | 16178132 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14718058 | May 2015 | US |
| Child | 15372131 | US |
