Business Card Holder and Dispenser

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are concerned with a business card dispenser that presents a single card to the user, when the front of the dispenser is pushed. The dispenser can hold over one hundred cards, plus one protected display card to show the contents of the dispenser. This dispenser provides a large quantity of cards in a compact volume and eliminates “dry finger” syndrome that affects many other business card dispensers. This is accomplished by use of a plunger, which pushes through a slot a single card, partially exposing it outside of the dispenser. Hence, allowing the user to grab the card with two fingers and pull it to retrieve the card.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to the field of dispensers and more particularly to a business card holder and dispenser.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The use of business cards continues to be very popular by business owners, employees, professionals and any other person seeking to concisely share their contact and / or business information with others. Business cards are often carried personally by individuals to hand out one by one. Some will leave a large pile of business cards on their desk or in an easily accessible place. Sometimes business cards are simply left in the original packaging and taken out when needed. Others will leave a stack of business cards in an accessible area for others to take. For example, at an open house, a real estate agent may leave a number of cards at a front table for potential home buyers to pick up. Advertisements posted in public places may have a single business card attached to it.[0003]A challenge with business card...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]Embodiments of the invention are concerned with a business card dispenser, that presents a single card to the user, when the front of the dispenser is pushed. The dispenser can hold over one hundred cards, plus one protected display card to show the contents of the dispenser. This dispenser provides a large quantity of cards in a compact volume and eliminates “dry finger” syndrome that affects many other business card dispensers. This is accomplished by use of a plunger, which pushes a single card through a slot, partially exposing it outside of the dispenser. Hence, allowing the user to grab the card with two fingers and pull it to retrieve the card.

[0013]The front is a two-piece cover and serves to hold a business card in a vertical slot and is the place the user presses to eject a card. This allows the user to see what cards are in the dispenser and provides a large, stable area for the end user to push. This can also be an advertising medium for the card owner. Below the display card is a thin opening, which is the ejection point of the card. When the dispenser is pressed the business card is pushed through this small slot.

[0014]On either side of the bottom of the front are two screws. These lock the front in place and prevent users from opening the dispenser and taking or replacing cards. When the screws are removed the owner of the dispenser can refill or replace cards as necessary. This is a simple process of lifting the front about a spring loaded pivot and pushing new cards into the cradle releasing the front and tightening the screws back in place returns the business card dispenser ready for use.

Problems solved by technology

A challenge with business cards is how to properly hold and store them for various situations.

If not kept carefully, business cards will become dirty and worn very quickly.

The action of picking up just one card is very difficult.

Also, a person's finger may be too dry to get enough friction on the card to allow the card to be picked up.

To be able to hand out just one card requires a lot of handling.

It is very difficult to properly distribute business cards without being physically present.

It is not practical or professional to simply leave a large stack of business cards completely unattended for the public to take.

They are prone to getting very dirty, because multiple people will be touching them.

However, it is still difficult to pick up a single card from a table and it does not have a professional look.

It is not possible to effectively hang up multiple business cards in connection with an advertisement, so that individuals can take single cards.

It is difficult to have two different piles of business cards displayed together in a manner that is clean, easy to pick up, easy to see or capable of being hung up with the advertisement.

Prior art does not have one that can be portable, as well as serve on a desk, table or in connection with an advertisement.

By design, these pocket-sized holders can only hold a limited number of cards.

The holders still do not address the issue of how to pick up just a single card.

Both of these situations may cause damage to the cards.

Also, the currently available dispensers often still require that the card be flexed or bent in some manner when picking it up.

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