U.S. patent application number 13/717424 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-25 for notebook transaction card holder.
This patent application is currently assigned to Gift Card Impressions, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Brett R. Glass, Nicole E. Glass. Invention is credited to Brett R. Glass, Nicole E. Glass.
Application Number | 20130186783 13/717424 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48796362 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130186783 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Glass; Brett R. ; et
al. |
July 25, 2013 |
NOTEBOOK TRANSACTION CARD HOLDER
Abstract
A holder for receiving a transaction card, such as a gift card,
within a folded, multi-panel assembly that can be fixed in a closed
disposition and which contains held within a notepad comprising a
pad of multiple sheets of paper. In certain embodiments, the holder
includes a main panel, a top flap, and a bottom flap, the top and
bottom flaps cooperating to fold upon one another to close the
holder and secure a notepad and gift card held within.
Inventors: |
Glass; Brett R.; (Overland
Park, KS) ; Glass; Nicole E.; (Overland Park,
KS) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Glass; Brett R.
Glass; Nicole E. |
Overland Park
Overland Park |
KS
KS |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Gift Card Impressions, LLC
Overland Park
KS
|
Family ID: |
48796362 |
Appl. No.: |
13/717424 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61576593 |
Dec 16, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/232 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B42D 5/00 20130101; B42D
5/006 20130101; B65D 73/0064 20130101; B65D 73/0078 20130101; B42D
25/22 20141001 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/232 |
International
Class: |
B65D 73/00 20060101
B65D073/00 |
Claims
1. A holder for a transaction card comprising: a main panel, a
notepad attached said main panel, a first flap extending from a
margin of said main panel, said first flap including means for
attaching a transaction card thereto.
2. The holder of claim 1, wherein said notepad is attached to a
front surface of said main panel.
3. The holder of claim 1 further comprising a second flap extending
from a margin of said main panel.
4. The holder of claim 3 further comprising means for retaining
said first flap and said second flap in a closed position to
enclose said notepad between said main panel and said flaps.
5. The holder of claim 3 wherein said first flap includes a slit
for receiving an edge of said second flap when said flaps are in a
closed position.
6. The holder of claim 1 further comprising a hang tag extending
from said main panel.
7. The holder of claim 6 wherein said hang tag is separable from
said main panel along a line of perforations.
8. The holder of claim 1 wherein said means for attaching a
transaction card to said first flap comprises one or more slits in
said first flap for receiving an edge of said transaction card.
9. The holder of claim 1 wherein said means for attaching a
transaction card to said first flap comprises removable
adhesive.
10. The holder of claim 1 wherein said first flap comprises two
subpanels attached to one another in an overlying position to form
a double wall.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of prior-filed,
co-pending provisional application, Ser. No. 61/ 576,593, filed
Dec. 16, 2011, incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to transaction card holders
and more particularly to a card holder for holding a transaction
card, such as a gift card, within a folded assembly that also
contains a pad of multiple sheets of paper or the like.
[0003] Transaction cards, stored value cards, or gift cards, as
they are commonly called based upon their intended use, have become
popular gifts. Gift cards typically comprise a stored value card
whereby a certain cash equivalent value is encoded upon a magnetic
strip applied to the surface of the card. This stored value may be
determined by the vendor prior to packaging and display for sale or
may be selected at the point of sale by the purchaser and loaded by
the cashier using a magnetic card reader/writer. As an alternative
to a magnetic strip, a transaction card may use a bar code to link
the card to an account by which the associated value is stored in a
computer database. While popular, gift cards are typically provided
with a generic and impersonal design, typically identifying the
associated merchant for which the card may be used to purchase
merchandise, and therefore are not personalized in view of the
intended recipient. In addition, a gift card typically conveys no
immediate benefit or utility to the gift recipient at the time of
receipt. Gift card holders of the present invention therefore
augment the gift of a transaction card by providing a surface for
displaying decorations, images, messages, etc., as well as a useful
notepad that can be used and enjoyed immediately by the gift
recipient.
[0004] Gift cards are often presented for sale on display racks in
stores, each card or packet of cards being hung upon a display
stand peg. A given area of a store will typically only support a
certain number and size of display stands, given store traffic and
other considerations, which makes allocation of display space an
important marketing decision that may require selecting only
certain high selling cards for display. Display of other items in
the same store area will typically reduce the substantially finite
space available for displaying gift cards and gift card
packets.
[0005] In addition to the above considerations, gift card packets
typically must fit within a set, allocated space in pre-existing
displays. A gift card packet typically must not exceed 5.25'' tall
and 4'' wide. These dimensions are an industry standard and are
typically non-negotiable. In order to properly hang each gift card
packet, the packet typically includes a J-hook hole (sombrero cut)
with the exact dimensions of 1.875'' wide by 0.5'' high and be
placed 0.1875'' from the top of the packet. Presently, the above
requirements pertain to approximately 95% of all gift cards and
gift card packets that are sold at retail.
[0006] It should be appreciated that the terms "gift card" and
"transaction card" are used interchangeably herein, the term "gift
card" conveying a common but not requisite use of a transaction
card as a gift item. The terms "typically", "generally",
"essentially" and "substantially" may be used when describing
embodiments of the invention disclosed herein and convey that a
structure or function may occur in one more embodiments, but not
necessarily in every embodiment, and that the scope of the
invention is not limited by such disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a card holder
for holding a transaction card, such as a gift card, within a
folded assembly for presentation to a gift recipient. The holder
also contains and provides a notebook or notepad typically
comprising a pad of multiple sheets of paper or the like that
augments the perceived value and utility of the transaction card
and card holder assembly. An embodiment of the card holder may
include a main panel, a first or bottom flap extending downward
from the main panel, a second or top flap extending upward from the
main panel, means for retaining the top flap and the bottom flap in
a closed disposition, a pad of paper or notepad attached to a
surface of the holder, typically to the main panel, and means for
removably attaching a transaction card to the holder, such as slits
for receiving the edges of the card.
[0008] An embodiment of a holder in accordance with the invention
may include a main panel, a plurality of sheets of paper (or like
material for receiving writing) stacked upon one another (e.g. a
notepad) and attached to the main panel. Typically, a notepad is
attached to a front surface of the main panel. A first flap extends
from a margin of the main panel and includes one or more slits or
removable adhesive or other means for attaching a transaction card
thereto. A second flap extends from a margin of the main panel,
typically from the margin opposing the margin from which the first
flap extends. The holder includes means for retaining the first and
second flaps in a closed position to enclose the notepad between
the main panel, to which the notepad is attached, and the flaps,
which fold upon one another to overlie the notepad. The first flap
includes a means for securing the second flap thereto, such as a
slit in the first flap for receiving an edge of the second flap
when the first and second flaps are in closed positions. A hang tag
may extend from holder, typically from the main panel but
alternatively from one of the flaps. The hang tag is separable from
the holder along a line of perforations. After purchase of the
holder, the portion of the hang tag extending beyond the margins of
the holder (typically, beyond the margins of the main panel) may be
torn off along these perforations. A means for attaching a
transaction card to the first flap may comprise one or more slits
in the flap for receiving one or more edges of the transaction
card. In certain embodiments of the holder, the first flap
comprises two subpanels attached to one another in an overlying
position to form a double wall.
[0009] Other advantages of the invention will become apparent from
the following description taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example
an embodiment of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view showing a card holder in a
fully open position.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view showing the card holder in a
fully open position.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view showing the card holder in
a fully closed position.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view showing the top flap of the
card holder in an open position.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view showing a sheet from the
pad lifted away and partially detached from the underlying
sheets.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the card holder in a
partially open position.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of die cut stock used to
form a card holder.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of die cut stock used to
form a card holder.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a sheet of note
paper.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of a hanging tag.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a piece of ribbon looped
through a pair of apertures in the top flap.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which
may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0022] With reference to the figures, FIGS. 1-6 illustrate one or
more embodiments of a card holder 100 for holding transaction
cards, such as a gift card 105. FIG. 1 is a front elevation view
showing the card holder 100 in a fully open position with the top
flap 110 moved, lifted or tilted upward to a vertically upward
position and the bottom flap 115 moved, pulled or tilted downward
to a vertically downward position, each flap 110 and 115 thereby
moved and pivoted away from the main panel 120. The main panel 120
is obscured in FIG. 1 by the pad 125 attached thereto, but is
visible from the rear of the holder 100 in FIG. 2. The top flap
110, main panel 120 and bottom flap 115 are generally joined to one
another in series along the longitudinal axis of the holder
100.
[0023] The holder 100 comprises card stock, relatively thin
cardboard, relatively thick paper, or the like. The pad or notepad
125 comprises sheets or pages 130 of paper suitable for receiving
writing, drawings or other marks made in ink, pencil graphite,
paint or other suitable material using a pen, pencil, marker, brush
or other suitable device.
[0024] Typically, a pad 125 is formed by removably adhering sheets
130 to one another along a top margin, as known in the prior art. A
backer or backer sheet (not shown) may be adhered at the back of
the pad 125 and may comprise a more rigid material to support and
protect the sheets 130. Either the backer or the back sheet of the
pad 125 is adhered to the front surface of the main panel 120, when
the pad 125 is attached thereto, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, and
more clearly shown in the side, perspective view provided in FIG.
6.
[0025] The top flap 110 is typically generally triangular in shape
so that the portion distal to the main panel 120, referred to
herein as the point 135, is of sufficient reduced, transverse,
dimension or width to slide and fit into a slot 140 formed in the
bottom flap 115. The point 135 is shown inserted into and engaged
with the slot 140 in FIG. 3.
[0026] The top flap 110 includes a pair of apertures 145a and 145b
(collectively referred to by 145). As shown in FIG. 11 (a diagram
of the top surface of the top flap 110 in the same general
orientation as in FIG. 2), a piece of ribbon 150 or the like is
looped through the apertures 145 and tied at the front surface of
the top flap 110, typically to form a bow, to attach the ribbon 150
to the top flap 110. The ribbon 150 may serve as a structure to
grasp when pulling the top flap 110 from engagement with the slot
140 or simply as a decoration.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the card holder 100
showing a hanging tag 155 attached to the upper portion of the
outer, rear facing surface of the main panel 120. As shown in FIG.
10, the hanging tag 155 includes an upper portion 156 and a lower
portion 157 divided from one another by a line of perforations 165.
The lower portion 157 bears a line or strip of adhesive 160 used to
attach the lower portion 157 to the main panel 120, as described
above. The upper portion 156 includes peg hole 170 therein,
typically a sombrero cut hole 170, for receiving the peg or post of
a display rack (not shown). The hanging tag 155 may comprise
plastic, acetate or other suitable material. The holder 100 is
typically presented for sale in the folded disposition (shown in
FIG. 3) by hanging it upon a display rack peg by passing the
hanging tag 155 over the peg so that the peg passes through the peg
hole 170. The holder 100 is sized so that, when in the folded
disposition, it will fit within display rack space constraints as
described in the
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0028] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view showing the top flap 110 of
the card holder 100 in an open position after withdrawing the point
135 of the top flap 110 from the slot 140. To open the top flap
110, the user may grasp the ribbon 150 (or equivalent structure, if
provided) and pull it away from the holder 100. Alternatively, the
user may grasp the top flap 110 directly and pull it away from the
holder 100. Either method will pull or slide the point 135 from the
slot 140. In certain alternative embodiments, the top flap 110 is
held to the outer surface of the bottom flap 115 by cooperating,
aligned pieces or portions of hook and loop fastener, such as a
Velcro fastener material (not shown). In such embodiments,
cooperating pieces are attached to a portion of the underside of
the top flap 110, and to a portion of the outer surface of the
bottom flap 115, so that when the top flap 110 is closed the
cooperating pieces on the top flap 110 and bottom flap 115 are
aligned and functionally engaged as is known in the prior art.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view showing a sheet 130
partially lifted from the pad 125 and partially detached from the
underlying sheets. In use, a sheet 130 may be written on by the
user either while attached to the pad 125 or after removal
therefrom. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the card holder 100
in a partially open position.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a sheet of planar card
stock 200 die cut to shape and used to form a card holder 100. As
shown, the top flap 110 includes apertures 145a and 145. The front
surface of the main panel 120 includes an area for receiving
adhesive 121 to adhere the pad 125 to the main panel 120. FIG. 8 is
a rear elevation view of the planar card stock 200 showing the
hanging tag 155 attached to the upper back surface of the main
panel 120 via permanent adhesive 160. In alternative embodiments,
the hanging tag 155 may be attached to a polybag or other overwrap
that may be used to package the holder 100, in which case the
hanging tag 155 is removed and discarded with the overwrap when the
holder 100 is unwrapped. In such embodiments, the hanging tag 155
need not include a line of perforations 165.
[0031] As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the stock 200, the bottom
flap 115 comprises two subpanels 115a and 115b that are attached to
one another to form a bottom flap 115 with a double wall. Subpanel
115b extends from the lower margin of the main panel 120 and
includes the slot 140. Subpanel 115a extends from the lower margin
of subpanel 115b (distal the main panel 120). Subpanel 115a
includes two slits 175a and 175b (collectively referred to by 175)
for receiving the edges of a transaction card 105, such as a gift
card, inserted therein. To construct the bottom panel 115, subpanel
115a is provided with adhesive 117 around the outer margins of the
inner surface of the subpanel 115a. When subpanel 115a is folded
upward along fold line 116 to meet subpanel 115b, the adhesive 117
contacts panel 115b and adheres the subpanels to each other forming
an integrated, double-wall bottom panel 115.
[0032] The holder 100 may include a gift card 105 installed within
the slits 175, as shown in FIG. 5, when presented for sale
(typically hung upon a display rack). Alternatively, the gift card
105 may be removably attached to an outer portion of the holder 100
for later, post-sale removal therefrom and attachment within the
slits 175, or the holder 100 may be presented for sale separate
from a gift card 105, in which case any gift card 105 separately
obtained by the user may be installed within the holder 100.
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, various indicia may be provided
on the surfaces of the holder 100, including instructions 101,
diagrams, lines 102, and/or shading for directing positioning and
installing a gift card 105 within the slits 175. The holder 100 may
include a bar code or UPC code for facilitating purchase.
Alternatively, if sold with a gift card 105, the bar code or UPC
may instead be provided on the surface of the gift card 105 rather
than on the surface of the holder 100.
[0034] It should be appreciated that the holder 100 and associated
structures may be constructed in various shapes and forms and
bearing various graphics and designs while maintaining the general
structure and functionality described herein. Certain embodiments
of the holder 100 and any associated packaging are typically
constructed and assembled to comply with standard space constraints
for display racks, and more particularly, under current guidelines
or restrictions, to not exceed 5.25 inches tall by 4 inches
wide.
* * * * *