Collapsible Gift Card Holder with Pleated Walls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gift cards lack personalization and efficient display solutions, with standard dimensions limiting their presentation and value perception, and existing holders do not effectively maximize space utilization or card capacity.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible holder with pleated side walls, dividers, and a removable header panel that minimizes display space while expanding to hold multiple cards, allowing for better organization and presentation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If gift cards are displayed individually on separate display stands, then each card receives adequate display space, but the total space required for displaying multiple cards increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay space per cardVSAvoidtotal display space

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individual card holders are merged into a single multi-compartment holder that can display multiple gift cards simultaneously. The holder includes a front wall, back wall, and multiple pleated side walls that create separate compartments for individual cards while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pleated side walls are designed to collapse inward when not in use, allowing the holder to nest to a compact size. When expanded, the pleated walls create multiple compartments that nest within the overall holder structure, maximizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Quantity of substance

If a holder is designed to hold multiple gift cards, then card capacity increases, but the holder occupies more display space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of cards heldVSAvoiddisplay footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The holder incorporates pleated side walls that can dynamically expand and collapse. When collapsed, the holder presents a compact display footprint; when expanded, the pleated walls create additional compartments to hold more cards, allowing the holder to adapt between these two states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing the holder's footprint in the horizontal plane, the invention utilizes the vertical dimension through pleated side walls that expand upward and outward. This allows multiple cards to be held in a stacked arrangement rather than spreading out horizontally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If standard gift card packet dimensions are maintained, then compatibility with existing displays is ensured, but the ability to present multiple cards or add personalization is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with existing displaysVSAvoidholder structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is segmented into multiple compartments created by dividers between the pleated side walls. Each compartment can hold an individual gift card, and the segmented structure allows the holder to maintain the standard external dimensions while internally accommodating multiple cards through vertical stacking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8672129B2Multicard holder

Publication Date: 2014.03.18 E2INTERACTIVE INC

AI summary

A card holder for holding a plurality of transaction cards, such as a gift cards, that minimizes display rack space occupied by the holder when it is on display for sale, but that expands to hold multiple gift cards.