Patent Application
20100089985
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of envelopes, and, more particularly, to an envelope that may record and/or produce an audible signal or message when actuated by opening.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Recordable greeting cards and pre-recorded greeting cards' are widely used. Generally, the greeting cards are designed to be activated by opening the cover. Many cards include a circuit that has one particular prerecorded message. A user selects among the cards in the store to choose the message desired. A card with a built-in record and playback capability is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,741 issued on Dec. 20, 1988 to Takenori Kondo. A card is provided where a user may record his or her own messages and have them played back by the recipient when the recipient opens the card. Often, cards are sent through the mail delivery service, such as, for example, a postal service. The card may be put through handling devices for sorting and transporting mail. That may cause pressure on the sound circuitry and components, and when the card reaches its ultimate destination, may no longer function. Another sound producing device is found in a magazine. A sound producing folding magazine insert is disclosed in U.S. patent application publication no. US2007/0151131. The magazine insert is designed to activate sound emitting means when the insert fold is opened. Re-recordable circuitry is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,108 issued on Feb. 7, 1995 to Christopher S. Cromwell, and the disclosure shows the circuitry with a pop-up greeting card.
Greeting cards are generally designed to be signed with a signature or note and sent to a recipient. With the popularity of personal printers many individuals prepare their own greeting cards. In addition, some stores have kiosks where cards may be designed and purchased. Many individuals also print their own invitations. In doing so, individuals may make customized choices and may design an invitation in a manner that is desired, including choosing the appearance of the design or pictures to appear thereon, the wording, the card stock, colors and other attributes.
A need exists for an improved device that may be used to communicate a sound message and provide the individual with the freedom to customize the card as well as the message or sound.
My invention provides an envelope having a sound mechanism for storing a recorded or prerecorded audible signal or sound for playback upon opening the envelope. The sound mechanism may be a sound module that is hidden within the back panel of the envelope, and may be actuated upon the opening of the seal flap. According to preferred embodiments, the module may be hidden beneath a covering layer provided on the interior of the back panel of the envelope.
According to one embodiment, the sound module is provided with a prerecorded sound, such as, a spoken or sung greeting, music or other appropriate sounds (e.g., cheering).
According to an alternate embodiment, the sound module is provided with recordable circuitry for recording an audible sound for playback. The recordable circuitry preferably may include an erasable feature, so that a message may be re-recorded until the desired message is obtained. Also, the re-recordable circuitry feature, in some instances, may permit reuse of the envelope. For example, a customized recorded greeting may be made for each different guest, inviting them to an event with a personalized greeting.
The envelope is designed to be actuated when the seal flap is lifted apart from the lower flap. According to preferred embodiments, an actuation mechanism may be connected to the seal flap to actuate the sound module on the back panel of the envelope. Alternate embodiments may be configured with a light sensor activation mechanism.
Envelopes according to my invention may be provided in various shapes and sizes, and may be configured to accommodate mostly any card a consumer may purchase, as well as a customized or home-made card. Users may print their own invitations and cards or purchase any type of card, and customize the sound in the envelope.
These and other advantages are provided by my invention.
Referring to
Referring to
According to a preferred embodiment, the envelope 10 may be formed from a first panel which includes the back panel 15 and surrounding flaps (e.g., the seal flap 11, bottom flap 12 and first and second side flaps 13, 14, respectively), a cover panel 24 and a sound module 30.
As shown in
The actuator mechanism 36 includes an actuator 37 which is configured as a tab portion 45 that is connected at one end to a base 46. Preferably, the actuator 37 may be constructed from a resilient material, such as, for example, plastic, and may function as a living spring whereupon it may be folded (e.g., along the fold line F (
Recording preferably is done by depressing the record button 38 when the seal flap 11 is opened (unfolded) and the sound mechanism is activated. According to a preferred embodiment, the circuit is configured so that a recording is made by depressing and holding the record button in its depressed position for the duration that one desires to record. When the record button 38 is released from its depressed position, the recording stops. Thereafter, opening of the envelope (e.g., lifting the seal flap) plays back the recording. The recording length may be any suitable length desired and may be determined by the circuitry and the memory provided. For example, according to a preferred embodiment, the recording time allocated for a person to record a message preferably may be provided to be from between about a few seconds to a few minutes. The circuitry may be configured to provide a desired recording time. Preferably, a recording that is made is erasable so that a number of recordings (or re-recordings) may be subsequently made. The record button 38 preferably functions to operate the erase recording feature of the circuit (for example, by permitting recording over a previous recording). The sound module preferably is configured so that the recorded message (song, or other audible signal) plays for the duration of the recording time each time the envelope seal flap is opened. The sound module may be configured so that when the envelope seal flap is closed the sound circuit is interrupted and the sound stops. According to alternate embodiments, prerecorded sound, such as, for example, preprogrammed messages, is provided. The alternate embodiments having prerecorded sound preferably provide a sound module which does not include a record button or a microphone. A variety of stock recordings may be provided from which to select. Preferably, as illustrated in the drawing figures, the sound module components, such as, for example, the microphone 42, record button 38 and speaker 34, remain hidden by the cover panel 24, which preferably, may comprise a layer of paper, such as card stock. The cover panel 24 in addition to maintaining the attractiveness of the envelope also serves to protect the sound module and components. The cover panel 24 preferably is installed to the back panel 15 with a suitable adhesive, such as, for example, glue, adhesive strips or the like. Preferably, the sound module 30 and actuator mechanism 36 may be installed on the interior of the back panel 15, and the cover panel 24 installed thereafter. According to preferred embodiments, the record button 38 preferably remains hidden beneath the cover panel 24. Preferably, indicia 39 is provided on the face of the cover panel 24 in the location overlaying the recording button 38. The indicia 39, for example, may be the word “record” or words “record/erase”, an image of a button, a design, or combinations of these. Preferably, an adhesion free zone is provided along the innermost edge 28 of the cover panel 24 to permit passage of the actuator 37 thereunder.
According to an alternate embodiment, the cover panel 24 may be constructed with an upper edge 25 which extends parallel to the fold line A, so that more of the actuator 37 remains concealed. Accordingly, where the cover panel embodiment includes a generally parallel top edge, preferably, a slot is formed between the back panel 15 and the cover panel 24 at a location near the actuation mechanism 36 to provide a space for the actuator 37 to pass through.
Preferably, the seal flap 11 includes a closure seal 20, as described above. According to one embodiment, the closure seal 20 may be an adhesive, such as, for example, double sided tape with release paper 22. According to an alternate embodiment, the seal flap 11 may be secured to the bottom flap 12 (as is shown in the closed position in
Preferred embodiments provide envelopes that may be dimensioned from about two by four inches to about ten by twelve inches, so that cards of those approximate dimensions may be held therein. Though preferred dimensions have been referred to, the envelope may have other dimensions, to handle other sizes and type of cards, invitations and the like, and may be constructed in accordance with the disclosure herein. Envelopes may be sized smaller or larger depending on the application and use for which they are intended. Preferably, the envelopes may be constructed from card stock, and preferably paper stock having a thickness of about 0.010 inches or 10 point (10 pt.). For embodiments where larger envelopes are constructed, the point size may be greater. Alternately, the envelope 10 may be constructed from materials which envelopes may be constructed, including, for example, paper, card stock, plastics, cardboard recycled materials and the like.
Though a record button 38 is shown, alternate recording activation mechanisms may be used, such as, for example, a pull-tab.
Preferably, the envelope 10 may be constructed by cutting the configuration of the envelope from card stock and making score lines in the locations where the sections join the back panel 15, as discussed herein. Preferably, the sound module 30 is installed on the back panel 15 and the actuation mechanism 36 installed, in part, on the inside of the seal flap 15. In the event that the speaker 34 is not included on the circuit board of the module 30 or is separate, then the speaker is adhered to the back panel 15. The microphone 42 preferably also is secured to the back panel 15 (if not part of the sound module circuit board), and the record button 38 preferably, is attached on the back panel about an inch or two on either side of the pull tab actuator 37. This arrangement is a preferred configuration. Once the sound module 30 is installed, then the cover panel 24 may be attached in place to cover the sound module 30 and circuit components.
According to a preferred embodiment, once the cover panel 24 is installed, the first side flap 13 and second side flap 14 are folded inwardly, toward the center, over the back panel 15 (and cover panel 24 thereon), and the bottom flap 12 is folded inwardly to seal with the side flaps 13, 14 to form the envelope 10. Suitable attachment means, such as, for example, double sided tape, glue or the like is used.
According to alternate embodiments, though not shown, the actuator mechanism 36 though shown comprising a pull tab actuator 37, may alternately comprise a light sensor that responds to light when the envelope seal flap 11 is opened or lifted.
The positioning of the sound module 30 and recording button 38 provides an attractive appearance and remains functional though, at the same time, is hidden and does not obstruct the attractiveness of the envelope. The sound module 30 preferably is constructed to have minimal thickness, and may include button or flat cell batteries as a power source to further facilitate minimizing the thickness of the module.
While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, the description is illustrative and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Various modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described herein and as defined by the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29310748 | Oct 2008 | US |
| Child | 12386138 | US |
