Multi-Sheet Greeting Card with Integrated Stand and Privacy Pocket

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing greeting cards are unstable, making them prone to blowing over in drafts, and often lack privacy for personalized messages, with limited functionality, which restricts their appeal and usability, especially for individuals with manual dexterity issues.

Innovation Solution

A multi-purpose article of manufacture featuring a pocket cavity for storing personalized messages and a simple, stable stand configuration that is intuitive to construct, allowing the card to be used as a greeting card, picture frame, or photo frame, with features like transverse fold lines, a finger tab, and non-slip coating for enhanced handling and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a higher gauge card material is used to increase stability, then the card becomes more stable and less prone to blowing over, but the cost of manufacture and shipping increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecard stabilityVSAvoidmanufacture and shipping cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The card is divided into multiple sheets (front sheet, intermediate sheet, backing sheet) that can be manufactured separately and assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling the use of standard gauge materials rather than requiring expensive high-gauge material throughout the entire card structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate sheet is nested between the front sheet and backing sheet, creating a multi-layer structure. This nesting approach allows the card to achieve enhanced stability through the layered construction without requiring any single sheet to be made from expensive high-gauge material, thus reducing overall manufacture and shipping costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If separate stands are added to greeting cards to improve stability, then the card becomes more stable, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecard stabilityVSAvoidstand manipulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stand function is merged with the backing sheet by forming an integrated stand structure that is part of the backing sheet itself. This integration eliminates the need for separate, manipulative stand components while maintaining the stability benefit, thereby reducing device complexity and making the card easier to use for individuals with manual dexterity issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of information

If the personalized message is placed on the inside leaf for privacy, then the message remains private, but the card functionality is limited solely as a greeting card

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage privacyVSAvoidcard functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The card structure is designed with universal features including a picture frame opening in the front sheet and a photograph pocket in the intermediate sheet, allowing it to function not only as a greeting card but also as a picture frame and photo album. This multi-functionality expands the card's appeal and usage beyond traditional greeting card purposes while maintaining message privacy through the enclosed pocket structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3970983B1An article of manufacture
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 ALPHAPIX LTD
  • EP3970983B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3970983B1 patent drawingFigure 5
  • EP3970983B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

This invention relates to an article of manufacture comprising a plurality of sheets including a backing sheet, a front sheet and an intermediate pocket sheet sandwiched between the other two sheets. The pocket sheet comprises a frame with an interior portion cut-out so that when sandwiched between the backing and the front sheets, the plurality of sheets define a cavity. There is further provided a stand comprising an elongate length of material connected at one end to one of the sheets, the other free end terminating in a tab, and having a plurality of fold lines. A separate, removable indicia sheet for reception of a message thereon is provided. The backing sheet comprises a pair of slits, one of which is dimensioned for reception of the indicia sheet to provide access to the cavity, and the other dimensioned to receive the tab of the stand for support of the article of manufacture.