GB2372011A

GB2372011A - Convertible greetings card

Info

Publication number: GB2372011A
Application number: GB0031032A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maureen Ennison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-12-19
Filing date: 2000-12-19
Publication date: 2002-08-14
Also published as: GB0031032D0

Abstract

A greetings card formed from a foldable sheet of material 1 comprising first and second sides, each having an applied design, such that when the sheet is folded only the first design is visible. When the sheet is opened out, the second, hidden design 4 becomes visible. Preferably the sheet is folded in half length-wise 3 and width-wise 2 to form a card. The first design may be applied on one quarter of the first side which forms the outside of the card, and a message may be provided on another quarter which forms the inside of the card. The design on the second side may be a calendar, height chart or record sheet. The sheet may be paper or cardboard. After the greetings card has been displayed, it may be opened out to view the second, hidden design therefore providing a secondary function.

Description

GREETINGS CARD The present invention relates to a greetings card, and in particular to a greetings card that can have a secondary function.

Conventionally, most greetings cards are formed from a single piece of material, such as cardboard or stiff paper, that is folded in half width-wise in a book like fashion. A design is provided on the front of the card, appropriate to the event that the card is intended for. A message may then be provided on the inside of the card. The message may include a printed message, to which may be added a handwritten or other message.

The card is typically displayed for a short period of time in such a way that the design on the front can be seen. When the card has been displayed for a short period of time, the card is usually disposed of, having no further function.

According to the present invention, a greetings card is formed from a sheet of material, such as paper or cardboard, having a first side and a second side. The material is folded in half length-wise and width-wise to form the card shape. On one quarter of one side of the material that forms the outside of the assembled card, a design is applied, and on another quarter of the same side, which forms the inside of the assembled card, a message may be provided. On the other side of the material, a different display is provided.

In use, the material is folded to form the card shape, with the greetings card design on the front and the message inside. When the material is opened up into a generally flat sheet, the design on the reverse is viewable. The design on the reverse of the sheet may be of longer lasting applicability that the card. The nature of the design on the reverse of the sheet of material may be related to the nature of the greeting of the card. For example, for a greetings card for Christmas or the New Year, the design on the reverse may include a calendar.

For a New Baby or Christening card, the design on the reverse may be a height

chart or a record chart. Alternatively, the nature of the design on the reverse may be unrelated to the greeting for which the card itself is intended.

An example of a card according to the present invention will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows the reverse of a sheet of material from which the card is formed; and, Figure 2 shows the assembled card.

As shown in Figure 1, a card according to the present invention is formed from a sheet of material 1, for example of cardboard or stiff paper. As shown in Figure 1, on one side of the sheet of material 1 (the reverse side), there is provided a design 4 which will be seen after the card has fulfilled its normal purpose.

Examples of suitable designs 4 include a calendar, height chart, poem, record chart etc.

The sheet of material 1 includes two fold lines 2,3. One fold line 2 extends across the width of the sheet of material 1, dividing the material into two. The other fold line 3 extends along the length of the material 1, again dividing the material into two. The width-wise fold 2 is a valley fold, such that the sheet of material 1 is folded in half with the design 4 on the inside. The sheet is then folded in half along the fold line 3, the left hand side being folded forwards and across pnto the right hand side to form the card.

On the other side of the sheet behind the bottom left hand corner of the sheet in the orientation shown in Figure 1 is the design of the front of the greetings card.

The message portion of the greetings card is provided on the opposite side of the upper portion of the sheet 1 as shown in Figure 1. The message is provided upside down, so that it appears the right way up when the card is folded. The

folded card is shown in Figure 2, with the design on the front and the message portion inside.

In use, the card is folded into the configuration as shown in Figure 2, and is sent as any normal greetings card. After the card has been displayed as required, the card is opened up into the configuration shown in Figure 1, and the design shown on the rear of the sheet of material 1 is displayable. This means that the greetings card has a secondary function, therefore prolonging the life of the card.

It will be appreciated that the sheet of material need not be rectangular, but may be of any other desired shape. Also, different folds may be used, provided these allow the sheet to be folded into a first configuration where one design may be seen on the front with an internal message portion, and can be opened up to display a second design.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A greetings card formed from a sheet of material having a first side and a second side, in which a first design is applied to one side and a second design is applied to the other side, such that the sheet is foldable into a first configuration in which the first design is viewable, and the second design is hidden, and is open able into an opened configuration in which the second design is viewable.
2. A greetings card according to Claim 1, in which the sheet is folded in half length-wise and width-wise to form a card shape.
3. A greetings card according to Claim 2, in which the first design is applied on one quarter of the first side of the sheet that forms the outside of the assembled card.
4. A greetings card according to Claim 3, in which a message portion is provided on another quarter of the first side of the sheet which forms the inside of the assembled card.
5. A greetings card according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the sheet is formed from paper or cardboard,
6 A greetings card according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the second design includes a calendar, height chart or a record sheet.
7. A greetings card substantially as shown in or as described with respect to the accompanying drawings.