Abstract
An assembly for holding a transaction card, such as a gift card, upon the wall of an open-ended container, such as a Christmas stocking or Easter basket, using cooperating inner and outer panels connected to one another via a foldable extension member.
Claims
1. A holder for a transaction card comprising: an inner panel lying in a first plane and an opposing outer panel lying in a second plane, where the inner panel and the outer panel are non-contiguous, where the first plane and the second plane are generally parallel to one another; a card holder associated with at least one of the inner panel or the outer panel configured to removably retain the transaction card; an extension member fixedly engaged to a front surface of the inner panel and a back surface of the outer panel, to form a unitary body wherein the inner panel and the outer panel are spaced apart from one another with the extension member disposed therebetween, and wherein a space between the inner panel and the outer panel is sufficient for receiving a container wall in an open configuration; wherein the extension member is an elongated, hollow, multi-sided structure that comprises a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel, all attached to one another along a plurality of fold lines wherein at least one panel of the extension member, the inner panel, and the outer panel defines a space; wherein, in an open configuration, the inner and outer panels are generally perpendicular to at least one panel of the extension member, at least one of the inner and outer panels extends both above and below the panels of the extension member, and wherein the space is sufficient for receiving the container wall; wherein, in a closed configuration, the extension member is collapsed so that the inner panel is disposed proximal to the outer panel of the card holder, such that the space between the inner panel and the outer panel and an overall front to back dimension between a front surface of the outer panel and a back surface of the inner panel is reduced, and such that at least one surface of each of the inner panel and the outer panel is visible in a closed configuration; and a hang tag extending from one of the panels.
2. The holder of claim 1, wherein said hang tag is separable from said panel.
3. The holder of claim 1, wherein said hang tag is separable from said panel along a line of perforations.
4. The holder of claim 1, wherein said hang tag is engaged to at least one of the panels by a removable adhesive.
5. The holder of claim 1, when in an open configuration, the inner panel is spaced apart from the outer panel to receive the container wall in the space between the inner panel and outer panel.
6. The holder of claim 5, wherein the inner panel is disposed proximal to an interior surface of the container wall received in the space between the inner panel and outer panel.
7. The holder of claim 5, wherein the extension member contacts an upper surface of the container wall received in the space between the inner panel and outer panel.
8. The holder of claim 1, wherein the inner panel and the outer panel are generally parallel to one another in both an open configuration and a closed configuration.
9. The holder of claim 1, wherein the extension member comprises a foldable structure having at least two sides.
10. The holder of claim 9, wherein the extension member is an elongated, hollow, four-sided structure.
11. A holder for a transaction card comprising: an inner panel lying in a first plane and an opposing outer panel lying in a second plane, where the inner panel and the outer panel are non-contiguous, where the first plane and the second plane are generally parallel to one another; a card holder associated with at least one of the inner panel or the outer panel configured to removably retain the transaction card; an extension member fixedly engaged to a front surface of the inner panel and a back surface of the outer panel, to form a unitary body wherein the inner panel and the outer panel are spaced apart from one another with the extension member disposed therebetween; wherein the extension member is an elongated structure that comprises at least one panel, wherein the at least one panel of the extension member, the inner panel, and the outer panel defines a space; wherein, in an open configuration, the inner panel and outer panel are generally perpendicular to the at least one panel of the extension member, and at least one of the inner and outer panels extends both above and below the at least one panel of the extension member, and wherein the space is sufficient for receiving a container wall; wherein, in a closed configuration, the extension member is collapsed so that the inner panel is disposed proximal to the outer panel of the card holder, such that the space between the inner panel and the outer panel and an overall front to back dimension between a front surface of the outer panel and a back surface of the inner panel is reduced, and such that at least one surface of each of the inner panel and the outer panel is visible in a closed configuration; and a hang tag extending from one of the panels.
12. The holder of claim 11, wherein the card holder comprises a first slit and a second slit.
13. The holder of claim 11, wherein the card holder is configured to retain the transaction card such that is can be viewed externally from the container wall.
14. The holder of claim 1, wherein the card holder comprises a first slit and a second slit.
15. The holder of claim 1, wherein the card holder is configured to retain the transaction card such that is can be viewed externally from the container wall.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a card holder.
(2) FIG. 2 is a front elevation showing the card holder installed upon a Christmas stocking.
(3) FIG. 3 is a front elevation of an alternative embodiment of a card holder.
(4) FIG. 4 is a front elevation showing the card holder installed upon a Christmas stocking.
(5) FIG. 5 is a front elevational diagram of the card holder installed upon a Christmas stocking.
(6) FIG. 6 is a side, cross sectional diagram of the card holder installed upon an open-ended container.
(7) FIG. 7 is a front elevation of an alternative embodiment of a card holder.
(8) FIG. 8 is a rear elevation of the card holder shown in FIG. 7 including detachable hang tag.
(9) FIG. 9 is a front elevation of a hang tag.
(10) FIG. 10 is a front elevation of the main body or inner panel of a card holder including the unassembled extension member.
(11) FIG. 11 is a front elevation of an outer panel of a card holder.
(12) FIG. 12 is a rear elevation of an outer panel of a card holder.
(13) FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of a card holder showing the card holder and extension member in a folded or closed position.
(14) FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of a card holder in a closed or folded position.
(15) FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of a card holder showing the card holder and extension member in an unfolded or open position.
(16) FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of a card holder in a partially unfolded or open position.
(17) FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a card holder in an unfolded or open position.
(18) FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of a card holder in an unfolded or open position and mounted upon the wall of an Easter basket.
(19) FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a card holder mounted on the wall of an Easter basket.
(20) FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view of a card holder showing the hang tag still attached.
(21) FIG. 21 is a front elevation of the main body or inner panel of a card holder including the unassembled extension member.
(22) FIG. 22 is a front elevation of an outer panel of a card holder.
(23) FIG. 23 is a rear elevation of an outer panel of a card holder.
(24) FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of a card holder with the outer panel drawn in phantom lines to show the card holder and extension member in a substantially folded or closed position.
(25) FIG. 25 is a front perspective view of a card holder with the outer panel drawn in phantom lines to show the card holder and extension member in an unfolded or open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(26) As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
(27) With reference to the figures, FIGS. 1-6 are illustration of one or more embodiments of a card holder 100 for holding a transaction card, such as a gift card 105. FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a card holder 100 showing a main body 110 comprising substantially planar card stock, or material with similar properties, and having a figurine design, in this case a figurine of a Christmas elf. FIG. 2 shows a holder 100 having the design of a Santa Claus figurine. It should be appreciated that designs corresponding to various holidays or other events, whether figurines or other structures, may be practiced according to the present invention.
(28) A first, left extension structure 115 is attached at a proximate, upper end thereof to a first attachment point of the main body 110 and projects downward at a transversely outward (as shown, leftward) angle to lie generally parallel to the plane of the main body 110. A second, right extension structure 120 is attached at a proximate, upper end thereof to a second attachment point of the main body 110 and projects downward at a transversely outward (as shown, rightward) angle to lie generally parallel to the plane of the main body 110. In addition to graphical decorations and designs that may be provided on the main body 110 or extension structures 115 and 120, the main body 110 may include a graphic design and/or text indicating proper positioning of a gift card 105 thereon.
(29) As shown in FIG. 1, diagonal slits 125a and 125b in the main body 110 are sized and positioned to accept diagonally opposing corners of a gift card 105 to attach the gift card 105 to the holder 100. Alternatively, slits in other locations on the main body 110, and in other dimensions, may be used. FIG. 3 shows slits 125c and 125d proximate the top and bottom margins, respectively, of a gift card 105 positioned upon the main body 110. The top edge of a gift card 105 is positioned within slit 125c and the bottom edge of the gift card 105 is positioned within slit 125d to securely hold the gift card 105 to the holder 100. In FIG. 3 the location and positioning of a gift card 105 is indicated in phantom lines.
(30) FIG. 2 is a front elevation showing the card holder 100 of FIG. 1 installed upon a Christmas stocking 200. FIG. 4 is a front elevation showing the card holder 100 of FIG. 3 installed upon a Christmas stocking 200. As shown in each of these two figures, the lower portion of the main body 100, including the portion bearing a gift card 105, is positioned within the stocking 200 so that it is obscured by the stocking walls 205. The upper portion of the holder 100 projects upward from the upper margin 210 of the stocking 200 so that it may be observed and serve to increase excitement and anticipation in the recipient of the gift card 105. The extension structures 115 and 120, designed and decorated to appear as figurine arms in the illustrated embodiments, slide over the outside of the walls 205 to retain the holder 100 in the desired illustrated position.
(31) FIG. 5 is a front elevational diagram of the card holder 100 installed upon a
(32) Christmas stocking 200. A gift card 105, attached to the main body 110 of the holder 100 and positioned inside the stocking 200 with the lower portion of the main body 110 to which it is attached, is shown in phantom lines. FIG. 6 is a side, cross sectional diagram of the card holder 100 installed upon an open-ended container, such as a Christmas stocking 200, so that the extension structures (120 is shown) extend over the upper margin 210 of the stocking 200 and downward along the outer surface of the proximate stocking wall 205a to hold the holder 100 upon the upper margin 210 with the lower portion of the main body 110 between the stocking walls 205a and 205b.
(33) The extension structures 115 and 120 may be formed separately from the main body 110 and attached to the main body 110 during assembly of the holder 100 by adhering a section 116 of each extension structure to the main body 110 so that the remaining, unadhered portion of each extension structure projects outward and then downward in a direction generally parallel to the main body 110, as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, an extension structure may be formed of two or more sub-structures, such as a first structure attached to the main body 110 so that it projects over the upper margin 210, and a second structure attached to the first structure so that it projects downward and generally parallel to the main body 110.
(34) FIGS. 7-20 are illustrations of one or more further embodiments of a card holder 300 for holding a transaction card, such as a gift card 105. FIG. 7 is a front elevation of an alternative embodiment of a card holder 300. The particular design shown is that of a rabbit to correspond to an Easter holiday theme, however, it should be appreciated that the embodiments of card holder shown herein may take any number of forms and designs corresponding to various holidays or other events or themes. The card holder 300 comprises an outer panel 305 and an inner panel 310 connected to one another but spaced apart when in use. One of the panels, typically the inner panel 310 (as shown), includes means for holding a card, such as a gift card 105 or other transaction card, thereon. In the present embodiment, slits 320 in the inner panel 310 hold a card so that it may be retained upon the inner panel 310, yet readily removed. The slits 320 may take various forms, but as shown in FIGS. 7-21 each slit 320 is shaped to create a tab structure. A pair of cooperating slits 320 and tab structures hold a card in a position upon the inner panel 310 as indicated by phantom lines 315.
(35) FIG. 8 is a rear elevation of the card holder 300 shown in FIG. 7 including detachable hang tag 325. The hang tag 325 is attached to, and extends upwardly from, the upper, rear surface of the inner panel 310, as shown in FIG. 8. The hang tag 325 is typically provided with a hole or aperture 335 for receiving a display stand peg. A line of perforations 330 across the lower portion of the hang tag 325 may be provided to allow the upper portion of the hang tag 325 to be readily detached prior to giving the card holder 300 to a recipient. As an alternative to a perforation line 330, an ink line indicating a suggested location to cut across the hang tag 325 may be printed on the hang tag 325 or, as a further alternative, the hang tag 325 may be attached to the inner panel 310 using removable adhesive. The line of perforations 330 and ink line function as hang tag separation indicators. FIG. 9 shows the front surface of the hang tag 325, including a location where adhesive 340 may be applied to adhere the front surface of the hang tag 325 to the rear surface of the inner panel 310.
(36) FIG. 10 is a front elevation of the main body or inner panel 310 of the card holder 300 including the unassembled extension member 350. The extension member 350 serves to connect or attach the outer panel 305 to the inner panel 310. As shown in the figures, the extension member 350 is collapsible or foldable and may comprise an elongated, hollow, four-sided structure. FIG. 10 shows first surfaces of first, second, third and fourth, extension member 350 panels 355a, 355b, 355c and 355d, respectively, all attached to one another along fold lines as indicated in broken lines. Fold lines may be indicated on the extension member 350 via scoring, perforations or printing. To assemble the extension member 350, the panels 355a, 355b, 355c and 355d are folded along the fold lines to form an elongated, foldable or collapsible, open-ended box. First panel 355a is folded forward to an approximately 90 degree angle relative to second panel 355b. Second panel 355b is folded forward to an approximately 90 degree angle relative to third panel 355c. Third panel 355c is folded forward to an approximately 90 degree angle relative to fourth panel 355d. Fourth panel 355d is folded forward to an approximately 90 degree angle relative to the inner panel 310 so that a second surface of panel 355a aligns with and contacts adhesive 345 provided on the upper, front surface of the inner panel 310. As an alternative, adhesive may be provided on the back surface of panel 355a for adhering panel 355a to the inner panel 310. As also shown in FIG. 10, text or other indicia may be provided to indicate where to locate a gift card 105 between the slits 320. An outline of a gift card may also be provided in phantom lines 315 to indicate proper positioning.
(37) FIG. 11 is a front elevation of an outer panel 305 of a card holder 300. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the panels (e.g. outer panel 305) may bear graphics (shown in phantom lines 307) corresponding to the design or theme of the holder 300. FIG. 12 is a rear elevation of an outer panel 305 of a card holder 300. As shown, adhesive 360 is provided on the rear surface of the outer panel 305 to adhere the outer panel 305 to a second surface of panel 355c, thereby adhering the outer panel 305 to the extension member 350.
(38) The extension member 350 panels 355a, 355b, 355c, 355d may tilt, fold or pivot relative to one another along the fold lines therebetween. The extension member 350 may be thereby be placed in a closed, folded or collapsed position when any two adjacent panels, e.g. panels 355c and 355d, are folded inward upon each other so the first surface of each are proximate to the other and in a substantially vertical disposition. FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of a card holder 300 showing the card holder 300 and extension member 350 in a substantially folded, collapsed or closed position by folding the extension member 350 along the fold line between 355c and 355d and along the fold line between 355a and 355b. As shown in FIG. 14, a side elevation view of a card holder 300 in a closed, collapsed or folded position, folding the extension member 350 along these fold lines effectively raises the outer panel 305 relative to the inner panel 310.
(39) FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of a card holder 300 showing the card holder 300 and extension member 350 in a substantially unfolded or open position. FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of a card holder 300 in a partially unfolded or open position with the angles between panels 355c and 355c, and between 355a and 355b, opening or becoming less acute to approach 90 degrees; and with the angles between panels 355a and 355d, and between 355b and 355c, closing or becoming less obtuse to approach 90 degrees. FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a card holder 300 in an unfolded or open position and showing a transaction card 105 mounted or removably attached thereto.
(40) FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of a card holder 300 in an unfolded or open position and mounted upon the wall 255 of a container, such as an Easter basket 250. The extension member 350 and card holder 300 are in a fully open position with the angles between all extension member panels (355a-355d) at approximately 90 degrees. The extension member 350, and in particular panels 355b and 355d, is sized to span the width of the container wall 255. The inner panel 310 is positioned inside the container and adjacent to the inner surface of the wall 255. The outer panel 305 is positioned outside the container and adjacent to the outer surface of the wall 255. The extension member 350, and in particular panel 355b, rest upon the upper surface of the wall 255. Not shown in FIG. 18 is the transaction card 105 which is mounted to the front or outward facing surface of the inner panel 310 (see FIG. 17). FIG. 19 is a front, perspective, environmental view of a card holder 300 mounted on the wall 255 of a container 250 comprising a closed wall 255 and a handle 260 attached thereto, such as an Easter basket.
(41) FIGS. 20 through 25 illustrate a further embodiment of a card holder 300A substantially similar in structure and function to that of card holder 300 shown in FIGS. 7 through 19, and differing from card holder 300 principally in theme by having the design or form of a Santa figure. FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view of the card holder showing the hang tag 325 attached to the main body or inner panel 310.
(42) FIG. 21 is a front elevation of the main body or inner panel 310 of a card holder 300A including the unassembled extension member 350. FIG. 22 is a front elevation of an outer panel 305 of a card holder 300A, showing graphic elements that correspond to the design or theme of the holder 300A in phantom lines 307. FIG. 23 is a rear elevation of an outer panel 305 of a card holder 300. As shown, adhesive 360 is provided on the rear surface of the outer panel 305 to adhere the outer panel 305 to a second surface of panel 355c, thereby adhering the outer panel 305 to the extension member 350.
(43) FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of the card holder 300A with the outer panel 305 drawn in phantom lines to show the card holder 300A and extension member 350 in a substantially folded, collapsed or closed position. FIG. 25 is a front perspective view of the card holder 300A with the outer panel 305 drawn in phantom lines to show the card holder 300A and extension member 350 in an unfolded or open position.
(44) It should be appreciated that the main body 110 or 310, extension structures 115 and 120, and/or outer panel 305 may be constructed in various shapes and forms and bearing various graphics and designs while maintaining the general structure and functionality described herein. Certain embodiments of the holders 100, 300 and 300A and any associated packaging are typically constructed and assembled to comply with standard space constraints for display upon store racks, and more particularly to not exceed 5.25 inches tall by 4 inches wide.
