The present technology is generally related to greeting devices for presenting a media item and associated methods for manufacturing such devices.
Greetings and other messages are commonly given to both children and adults on various occasions. Many greetings can be carried by a device, such as a greeting device, that can be opened or otherwise manipulated to display the greeting or message. However, greeting devices are typically susceptible to failure after repeated uses, which can shorten the functional lifetime of these devices.
Many aspects of the present technology can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed on clearly illustrating the principles of the present technology.
The present technology is directed generally to greeting devices, including transitionable greeting devices that can be transitioned between configurations to display a media item. In some embodiments, a greeting device includes a first shell, a second shell, and a hinge pivotally coupling the first shell to the second shell. The first shell can include a first inner surface that defines a first interior of the first shell. In at least some embodiments, a first substrate is positioned within the first interior of the first shell and supported therein by one or more first support elements. The second shell can include a second inner surface that defines a second interior of the second shell. In at least some embodiments, a second substrate is positioned within the second interior and supported therein by one or more second support elements. At least one of the first substrate and/or the second substrate can be configured to carry or display a media item, such as a message or greeting. In these and other embodiments, the greeting device can be transitionable between a first (e.g., closed) configuration in which the first substrate and the second substrate face each other, and a second (e.g., open) configuration in which the first substrate and the second substrate face away from each other and/or toward a user.
Specific details of several embodiments of the present technology are described herein with reference to
The accompanying Figures depict embodiments of the present technology and are not intended to be limiting of its scope. The sizes of various depicted elements are not necessarily drawn to scale, and these various elements may be arbitrarily enlarged to improve legibility. Component details may be abstracted in the Figures to exclude details such as position of components and certain precise connections between such components when such details are unnecessary for a complete understanding of how to make and use the present technology. Many of the details, dimensions, angles, and other features shown in the Figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments can have other details, dimensions, angles, and features without departing from the spirit or scope of the present technology.
Reference throughout this specification to relative terms such as, for example, “generally,” “approximately,” and “about” are used herein to mean the stated value plus or minus 10%.
The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the claimed present technology.
In some embodiments, the second shell 102b includes a mounting or attachment feature 107 configured to allow the device 100 to be mounted or attached to one or more surfaces. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment feature 107 includes a slot or recessed area configured, for example, to attach the device 100 to a wall. In at least some embodiments, the attachment feature 107 is configured to releasably receive a nail head, a peg, or another suitably shaped component such that the device 100 can be suspended from and/or supported on a wall or other surface via the attachment feature 107. In other embodiments, the attachment feature 107 can have another suitable configuration.
In
Referring next to
The first frame 106a can be configured to hold (e.g., house, carry, and the like) the first substrate 114a within the device 100. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the first frame 106a is configured to rest on/over the first substrate 114a when the first frame 106a is coupled to the first shell 102a, such that the first substrate 114a is positioned at least partially between the first frame 106a and the first shell 102a. The first substrate 114a can be coupled to the first frame 106a via welding, one or more adhesives, one or more mechanical fasteners, and/or any other suitable coupling technique. In these and/or other embodiments, the first substrate 114a can be held in place by (e.g., solely by) the first frame 106a. In the illustrated embodiment, the first frame 106a includes a first projection or tab 108a extending inwardly from the first frame 106a. The first tab 108a can be aligned with a first coupling element 110a and configured to hold the first coupling element 110a within the first shell 102a. In the illustrated embodiment, the first coupling element 110a includes a first magnet positioned between the first tab 108a and the first shell 102a such that the magnet is secured behind the first tab 108a within the first shell 102a. Additionally, or alternatively, the first frame 106a can include one or more integral coupling features 112a. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the first frame 106a includes a male coupling feature 112a extending outwardly from the first frame 106a away from the first shell 102a.
The second shell 102b can include some aspects that are generally similar or identical in structure and/or function to the first shell 102a. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the second shell 102b includes a second frame 106b, a second tab 108b, a second coupling element 110b, a female coupling feature 112b, and a second substrate 114b, each of which can be generally similar or identical in structure and/or function to the corresponding first shell 102a, first frame 106a, first tab 108a, first coupling element 110a, male coupling feature 112a, and first substrate 114a. In other embodiments, one or more of the components positioned within the first and/or second shells 102a, 102b can be omitted.
In some embodiments, the second substrate 114b can be configured to mirror the configuration of the first substrate 114a about the pivot component 104. In at least some embodiments, for example, the shape and/or position of the second substrate 114b can be the minor of the shape and/or position of the first substrate 114a about a pivot axis P of the pivot component 104. Accordingly, in the second configuration 103, the first and second substrates 114a, 114b can be generally or substantially equidistant from the pivot axis P. Additionally, or alternatively, the first and second substrates 114a, 114b can be parallel and/or coplanar to each other when the device 100 is in the second configuration 103. In at least some embodiments, the first and second substrates 114a, 114b can face away from each other (e.g., in a generally similar, a same, or a parallel direction) when the device 100 is in the second configuration 103. In other embodiments, the first substrate 114a can be at an angle (not shown) relative to the second substrate 114b when the device 100 is in the second configuration 103. The angle can be an interior angle between about 0 degrees and about 180 degrees, or any other suitable angle. In these and other embodiments, the second substrate 114b can be spaced laterally apart from the first substrate 114a when the device 100 is in the second configuration 103.
The first and second coupling elements 110a, 110b and/or the first and second coupling features 112a, 112b can be positioned to matingly engage each other (e.g., the first coupling element 110a with the second coupling element 110b and/or the first coupling feature 112a with the second coupling feature 112b) to at least partially prevent the device 100 from transitioning from the first configuration 101 (
The second shell 102b can include one or more second support elements 124b, and at least some of the second support elements 124b can be generally similar or identical in structure and/or function to the first support element 124a. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the second support elements 124b include one or more second lateral support elements 126b that are generally similar or identical in structure and/or function to the first lateral support elements 126a and/or one or more second longitudinal support elements 128b that are generally similar or identical in structure and/or function to the first longitudinal support elements 128a. In these and other embodiments, at least some of the second support elements 124b can have any other suitable configuration.
The packaging 630 can include a housing or container 632 that defines a chamber or device-receiving space 634 configured to receive the device 100, and a coupling component 636 configured to couple the device 100 to the packaging 630 within the device-receiving space 634. The coupling component 636 can include an elongate member or cord configured to extend at least partially around a narrowed or necked portion 638 of the second shell 102b of the device 100, as shown in
The device-receiving space 634 and the coupling component 636 can be configured to allow the first shell 102a to rotate relative to the second shell 102b (e.g., in the directions indicated by the double-headed arrow in
In some embodiments, the packaging 630 includes a device-supporting component 640 positioned within the device-receiving space 634 and configured to hold the device 100 therein. The device-supporting component 640 can include, for example, blister packaging configured to correspond to the shape of the device 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the device-supporting component 640 includes one or more holes 642 configured to receive the coupling component 636, such that the coupling component 636 can couple the device 100 to the device-supporting component 640. In some embodiments, the device-supporting component 640 can be coupled to the packaging 630, for example, via one or more adhesives, mechanical fasters, or another suitable coupling technique.
The above-detailed description of embodiments of the present technology are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology to the precise form disclosed above. Although specific embodiments of, and examples for, the technology are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the technology as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The various embodiments described herein may also be combined to provide further embodiments.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the technology have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments of the technology. Where the context permits, singular or plural terms may also include the plural or singular term, respectively.
Moreover, unless the word “or” is expressly limited to mean only a single item exclusive from the other items in reference to a list of two or more items, then the use of “or” in such a list is to be interpreted as including (a) any single item in the list, (b) all of the items in the list, or (c) any combination of the items in the list. Additionally, the term “comprising” is used throughout to mean including at least the recited feature(s) such that any greater number of the same feature and/or additional types of other features are not precluded. It will also be appreciated that specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the technology. Further, while advantages associated with some embodiments of the technology have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the technology. Accordingly, the disclosure and associated technology can encompass other embodiments not expressly shown or described herein.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Prov. App. No. 63/397,123, filed Aug. 11, 2022, titled “GREETING DEVICES FOR PRESENTING A MEDIA ITEM AND ASSOCIATED METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH DEVICES,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63397123 | Aug 2022 | US |