Pop-Up Gift Card Folder with Creased Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gift cards are often presented in a way that does not immediately reveal redemption information or lack personalization, and existing solutions have not adequately addressed these issues.

Innovation Solution

A gift card folder with a pop-up shelf that projects the card when opened, featuring a substrate with creases that form panels to create a pop-up shelf and secure the card in portrait or landscape orientation, and a flap to keep the folder closed, using slits to retain the card and maintain a compressed accordion-like stack.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a traditional flat gift card presentation is used, then the structure is simple, but the gift card is not visually attractive and redemption information is not immediately recognizable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepop-up shelf projectionVSAvoidfolder structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms a flat two-dimensional gift card presentation into a three-dimensional pop-up shelf structure. When the folder is opened, panels fold along creases to create a vertical projection that extends outward from the folder plane, making the gift card visually prominent and attractive while maintaining a simple flat structure when closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If the folder is kept closed to maintain a compressed stack, then the gift card is secure, but the recipient cannot immediately see redemption information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveredemption information visibilityVSAvoidcompressed stack stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The folder transitions from a static closed state to a dynamic open state where the pop-up shelf automatically projects outward. The creased panels are designed to fold along predetermined lines, creating a mechanical transformation that reveals the gift card and redemption information while maintaining structural stability in both closed and open positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the folder structure is expanded to allow pop-up projection, then the gift card is more visible, but the folder becomes more complex to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolder opening actionVSAvoidcrease and panel construction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The folder is divided into multiple segments or panels separated by creases, allowing each panel to move independently when the folder is opened. This segmentation enables the pop-up projection mechanism while using simple fold lines that can be easily created during manufacturing, avoiding complex assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10155406B2Gift card folder

Publication Date: 2018.12.18 CHRISMAN CRAIG R

AI summary

A gift card folder for securing a gift card is described. The gift card folder may be composed of a single sheet of substantially rectangular stationary which has a plurality of creases dividing the single sheet of stationary into panels of which two panels cooperate together to form a pop-up shelf upon manipulation of the gift card folder. A portion of the pop-up shelf comprises one or more slits to secure the gift card in a fixed position during opening or closing of the gift card folder. Further, the gift card folder may optionally include a flap that cooperates with an outer panel to secure the gift card folder in a closed position which compresses the pop-up shelf. When the recipient opens the folder, the gift card folder projects the pop-up shelf outward and towards the recipient of the gift card.