IP Library Granted Patent US 8,857,082
Granted Patent B2
US 8,857,082 · App. 13/873,033 · Granted Oct 14, 2014

Motion greeting cards

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,857,082
App. No.
13/873,033
Granted
Oct 14, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention and related disclosure describes greeting cards with moving elements or devices which are operable to create motion in connection with some portion of the greeting card. The greeting card may include a multi-panel greeting card body or a three-dimensional foam greeting card body. At least one movable object is contained upon or within the greeting card body. A sound module having at least one pre-recorded digital audio file saved therein and a motor module are contained and concealed within the greeting card body. One or more switches may be used to activate the sound and motor modules, causing the pre-recorded audio file to play and causing movement of the movable or mobile object.

Claims (35)

1. A motion greeting card comprising:

a multi-panel greeting card body;

a moveable object located between at least two panel of the multi-panel greeting card body, the moveable object comprising a base structure, one or more flexible attachment mechanism connected at one end to the base structure and at an opposite end to a die cut shape;

a sound module operative to store and playback at least one audio file;

a motor module operative to cause movement of the moveable object;

wherein opening the greeting card moves the one or more flexible attachment mechanisms and die cut shapes from a flat position parallel to the base structure to an upright position perpendicular to the base structure and initiates the sound and motor module causing playback of the at least one audio file and movement of the moveable object.

2. The motion greeting card of claim 1 further comprising a foldable platform structure which is located over the base structure with the one or more flexible attachment mechanisms extending through one or more openings therein.

3. The motion greeting card of claim 2 , wherein the base structure is located below the platform structure and the die cut shapes are located above the platform structure.

4. The motion greeting card of claim 2 , wherein the base structure cannot be seen from a straight facing view when the greeting card is in an open position.

5. The motion greeting card of claim 1 , wherein the base structure contains one or more foldable tabs to which the one or more flexible attachment mechanisms are attached.

6. The motion greeting card of claim 1 , wherein the motor module is attached to the base structure.

7. The motion greeting card of claim 1 , wherein the multi-panel greeting card body contains a horizontal fold line along a top edge of the greeting card such that the greeting card opens in an upward direction by pivoting a first panel away from a second panel about the horizontal fold line.

8. A motion greeting card comprising:

a greeting card having at least three panels with a cavity formed between two of the at least three panels;

a plurality of die cut shapes, each die cut shape attached to a flexible cable which extends upward from a flat horizontal base structure;

the flat horizontal base structure attached to a motor module contained and concealed within the cavity formed between two of the at least three panels of the greeting card;

wherein the plurality of die cut shapes and flexible cables can move between a first horizontal position and a second upright vertical position when the greeting card is opened, and

wherein the motor module is activated when the greeting card is opened, causing movement to the horizontal base structure and the plurality of die cut shapes attached to the flexible cables.

9. The motion greeting card of claim 8 further comprising a sound module operative to store and playback at least one audio file.

10. The motion greeting card of claim 9 , wherein the sound module is activated when the greeting card is opened.

11. The motion greeting card of claim 8 further comprising a platform structure which is located between the horizontal base structure and the plurality of die cut shapes.

12. The motion greeting card of claim 11 , wherein the platform structure contains one or more openings thereon through which the flexible cables pass through.

13. The motion greeting card of claim 11 , wherein the platform structure covers a top and front surface of the base structure.

14. The motion greeting card of claim 11 , wherein the platform structure moves from a folded position to an unfolded position when the greeting card is opened.

15. The motion greeting card of claim 8 , wherein the motor module causes the horizontal base structure and plurality of die cut shapes to move in a back and forth motion.

16. A motion greeting card comprising:

a multi-panel greeting card body;

a pop-up structure located between two panels of the multi-panel greeting card body;

a motor module attached to and operative to move the pop-up structure;

wherein the pop-up structure moves from a substantially flat folded position to an upright unfolded position when the greeting card is opened; and

wherein the pop-up structure comprises at least one die cut shape attached to a top of a flexible post.

17. The motion greeting card of claim 16 further comprising a sound module operative to store and playback at least one audio file when the greeting card is opened.

18. The motion greeting card of claim 16 , wherein when the greeting card is closed, the pop-up structure moves back to the substantially flat folded position.

19. The motion greeting card of claim 16 , wherein the motor module causes the pop-up structure to move in a back and forth motion.

20. The motion greeting card of claim 16 , wherein the multi-panel greeting card body has a horizontal fold line along a top edge of the greeting card about which a cover panel is pivoted to open the greeting card.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 12, 2018
From: AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 045915/0841 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 11, 2018
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: AGC HOLDINGS, LLC; AGC, LLC; AGCM, INC.; AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION; A.G.C. INVESTMENTS, INC.; A.G. EUROPE, INC.; A.G. INDUSTRIES, INC.; AG INTERACTIVE, INC.; A.G. (UK), INC.; AGP KIDS, INC.; CARDSTORE, INC. FORMERLY KNOWN AS PHOTOWORKS, INC.; CARLTON CARDS RETAIL, INC.; CREATACARD, INC.; CREATACARD INTERNATIONAL LEASING INC.; CLOUDCO, INC.; CUSTOM HOLDINGS, INC.; GIBSON GREETINGS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED; JOHN SANDS (AUSTRALIA) LTD.; JOHN SANDS (N.Z.) LTD.; JOHN SANDS HOLDING CORP.; MEMPHIS PROPERTY CORPORATION; MIDIRINGTONES, LLC; PAPYRUS-RECYCLED GREETINGS, INC.; PLUS-MARK LLC, FORMERLY KNOWN AS PLUS MARK, INC.; THOSE CHARACTERS FROM CLEVELAND, INC.; PRGCO, LLC; RPG HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 045917/0006 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 12, 2018
From: AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 045307/0476 →
AMENDED AND RESTATED COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENT OF PATENTS Recorded Sep 10, 2013
From: AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION
To: PNC BANK, A NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031200/0816 →