MULTIPURPOSE GIFTING ARTICLE

Abstract

A multipurpose gifting article that can be used to present a greeting card and used as a photo frame. The multipurpose gifting article includes a base member that can be placed on a flat surface. The base member includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a gusseted bottom panel. A frame member and the front panel form a pocket for a photograph. A greeting card can be inserted between the front panel and the folded bottom panel.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multipurpose gifting article, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a customizable gifting article which is a combination of a greeting card and a photo frame.

BACKGROUND

Greeting cards are a popular way of expressing emotions and are used as a gift. Greeting cards can be used on almost any kind of occasion. Greeting cards are given to deliver a message or greet someone with or without an occasion. Besides the message, significant attention is also given to the appearance and presentation of a greeting card. Greeting cards are made in several shapes, designs, colors, and the like. Significant efforts are continuously being made to make greeting cards with more aesthetically appealing value. Custom-designed greeting cards are also quite popular, in particular, for expressing emotions. Making more appealing greeting cards requires a significant amount of effort and increased cost.

Although greeting cards are popular and widely used, and significant time and effort are spent in either making a greeting card or choosing a greeting card, greeting cards provide very short-term pleasure and happiness to the receiver. Most greeting cards end up in a trash bin, the next day or within some days. If kept as a keepsake by the receiver, they may end up in some drawer or bookshelf, and the receiver may rarely see them again.

There is always a need to improve the utility of any usable article. A need is therefore appreciated to enhance the utility of greeting cards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present invention in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The principal object of the present invention is therefore directed to a multipurpose gifting article that can be used as a greeting card and a photo frame.

Another object of the present invention is that the multipurpose gifting article can be easily displayed.

Still, another object of the present invention is that both a giver and a receiver can customize the multipurpose gifting article.

Yet another object of the present invention is that the waste of disposing of greeting cards can be reduced.

A further object of the present invention is that the multipurpose gifting article has an aesthetic appearance.

Still, a further object of the present invention is that the receiver can enjoy a greeting card for a long time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the figures further explain the principles of the present invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a base member of a multipurpose gifting article, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a sheet used to make the base, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the front side of a frame member of the multipurpose gifting article, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows the rear side of the frame member of the multipurpose gifting article and a photograph positioned within the frame member, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the multipurpose gifting article, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the multipurpose gifting article with a greeting card partially inserted, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows another implementation of the multipurpose gifting article in which a photograph can be inserted from the right side, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows another implementation of the multipurpose gifting article, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows another implementation of the multipurpose gifting article, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows another implementation of the multipurpose gifting article, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11A shows another implementation of the multipurpose gifting article, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11B shows a strip of the multipurpose gifting article shown in FIG. 11A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11C shows a strip of the multipurpose gifting article shown in FIG. 11A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows another implementation of a base member of the multipurpose gifting article, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows a sheet for making the base member of FIG. 12, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the present invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The following detailed description includes the best currently contemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention will be best defined by the allowed claims of any resulting patent.

The described invention pertains to a multipurpose gifting article and a method of manufacturing and presenting a multipurpose gifting article to a receiver. The described invention allows for giving a greeting card in an aesthetic manner as well as the greeting card can be used and displayed by the receiver as a photo frame. The multipurpose gifting article can provide long-term happiness and pleasure to the receiver compared to conventional greeting cards and adds a new dimension to conventional greeting cards. The disclosed multipurpose gifting article can be easily displayed on a table, shelf, or any supporting structure having a flat surface. The multipurpose gifting article can be easily and quickly folded and unfolded, making it versatile. The folded multipurpose gifting article can be easily posted as a greeting card anywhere in the world. Moreover, the multipurpose gifting article is of a size to easily be inserted into a post envelope similar to standard-size greeting cards. Also, made from thick paper sheets, the multipurpose gifting article is light in weight. Another advantage is that both the giver and receiver can customize the multipurpose gifting article.

Referring to FIG. 1 which shows a base member of the multipurpose gifting article. The base member 100 can have a front panel 110, a rear panel 120, and a gusseted bottom panel 130. The front panel and the rear panel have a common top edge. The gusseted bottom panel can fold inwards at its middle portion, resulting in the collapsing of the front panel over the rear panel. The gusseted bottom panel can be unfolded and rested on a flat surface. The base member can be made from a sheet, as shown in FIG. 2. The sheet can be folded near the middle to form the two panels. Proximal end portion 130a and distal end portion 130b can be joined together to form the bottom panel. Section 130b has an adhesive strip 140 that can attach the two portions. It is to be understood that the two portions can be attached using any kind of adhesive, fastener, and the like, and the same is within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the frame member 145 and FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the frame member 145. The frame member can be coupled to the front panel of the base member. As shown in FIG. 4, the rear side of the frame member has an adhesive lining 150 running along three sides of the frame member. FIG. 4 shows the adhesive lining running along the periphery of the left, right, and bottom sides of the frame member. The frame member can be attached to the front panel through the adhesive lining 150. It is to be understood that the layout of the adhesive lining can be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the adhesive lining can run along the top, left, and bottom sides of the frame member. The primary purpose of the adhesive lining is to attach the frame member to the front panel of the base member such that at least one side of the frame member remains free. Also, the adhesive line can be replaced by any suitable method for attaching the frame member to the front panel, and any such suitable method is within the scope of the present invention.

The free (open) side of the frame member and the front panel form a pocket for receiving a photograph, as shown in FIG. 5. Any photograph of a size less than the area of the frame member within the adhesive lining can be inserted through the opening into the pocket and sandwiched between the frame member and the front panel. The frame member has a cutout extending in most of the central portion to show the photograph. The shape and size of this central cutout in the frame member, for showing the photograph, can be varied and any such variation is within the scope of the present invention. For example, the frame member can have a central cutout of a rectangular shape as shown in the drawings, or of an oval shape, or a square shape. A layer of plastic can also cover the central portion from the outside, the plastic layer can protect the photograph.

The multipurpose gifting article 170 also includes stickers 180 of several designs and shapes. These stickers could be applied to the frame member and/or the rear panel for decorating the multipurpose gifting article. The stickers can be replaced as desired by the user. The stickers can be of cartoons, dates, years, nature, flowers, and the like. These stickers can be made from the same material as that of the base member and the frame member. For example, thick paper or cardboard sheets can be used to make the base member, frame member, and stickers. The stickers can have a layer of adhesive for sticking the same. Or the adhesive can be applied to stick the stickers. Attaching the stickers by any suitable means is within the scope of the present invention.

A greeting card 190, as shown in FIG. 6, can be inserted into the base member, between the folded bottom panel and the front panel.

FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment of the multipurpose gifting article 200 in which a photograph 210 can be inserted from a side of the multipurpose gifting article 200. FIG. 8 shows a multipurpose gifting article 300 in a landscape shape and a photograph 310 inserted from a side.

Referring to FIG. 9 which shows another implementation of the multipurpose gifting article 900. The multipurpose gifting article 900 does not have the frame member 145 of multipurpose gifting article 100 but slots 910 for receiving corners of a photograph. These slots can be made on the front panel and the photograph can be secured to the four slots.

Referring to FIG. 10 which shows another implementation of the multipurpose gifting article 1000. The multipurpose gifting article 1000 includes a base member 1030 having the front panel and the rear panel. The front panel includes pockets 1010 at two opposite corners of the front panel. The pocket includes an adhesive tab 120 on the rear side of the pocket. Pockets 1010 can be attached to the front panel at opposite corners through the adhesive tabs 1020.

Referring to FIG. 11A which shows another implementation of the multipurpose gifting article 1100 that includes strips 1100 for securing a photograph. The strips can be applied to opposite sides of the front panel of the base member 1120. FIG. 11B shows strip 1130 having adhesive tabs and FIG. 11C shows strip 1140 having an adhesive lining.

FIG. 12 shows another implementation of the base member 1200 in which a bottom panel is not continuous but has two sections. FIG. 13 shows sheet 1300 that can be used folded to form the base member. It is to be understood that the opposite sides which are attached can be a part of the bottom panel or the front panel of the rear panel.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. A multipurpose gifting article comprising: a base member comprising: a front panel, a rear panel, and a gusseted bottom panel, wherein the front panel and the rear panel have a common top edge; anda frame member coupled to the front panel at two or three sides, wherein the frame member and the front panel form a pocket for a photograph, wherein a side of the frame member not attached to the front panel forms an opening for receiving the photograph into the pocket, the frame member has a cutout in its center for displaying the photograph.

2. The multipurpose gifting article of claim 1, wherein the multipurpose gifting article comprises one or more stickers.

3. The multipurpose gifting article of claim 2, wherein the multipurpose gifting article comprises the photograph.

4. The multipurpose gifting article of claim 3, wherein the multipurpose gifting article comprises a greeting card inserted between the front panel and folded bottom panel.

5. A method of preparing a multi-purpose gifting article, the method comprising: folding an elongated sheet thrice to form a front panel, a rear panel, and a bottom panel, wherein a proximal end section and a distal end section of the elongated sheet form the bottom panel, wherein the front panel and the rear panel have a common top edge;folding the bottom panel inwards at its middle to form a longitudinal folding line, wherein the bottom panel can be folded inwards along the longitudinal folding line resulting in the front panel collapsing over the rear panel; andattaching a frame member over the front panel, wherein two or three sides of the frame member are attached to the front panel, wherein the frame member and the front panel form a pocket for receiving a photograph, wherein a side of the frame member not attached to the front panel forms an opening for receiving the photograph into the pocket, wherein the frame member has a cutout in its center for displaying the photograph.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the method comprises: inserting a greeting card between the front panel and the folded bottom panel.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the method further comprises: inserting the photograph through the pocket.