Patents by Inventor American Greetings Corporation

American Greetings Corporation has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20140144052
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: American Greetings Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130218635
    Abstract: An improved forecasting and modeling tool for planning and estimating sales of consumer products, including social expression products in a retail operation. The tool enables retailers to create a plan based on information shared between the retailer and vendor of social expression products. The methodology employed begins with actual sales totals for the prior term and the plan goal for the current term and provides financial calculations based on a variety of factors to determine the sales bridge needed to meet the current term goal. Information relating to actual sales, significant events, door activity, current forecast, trending data, and vendor initiatives are input into the application and are used in financial calculations to determine a current term sales plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: American Greetings Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130192104
    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. This movement may be up-and-down or “bouncing” motion, spinning or rotational motion, side-to-side motion or any other reciprocating motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: American Greetings Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130192103
    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. This movement may be up-and-down or “bouncing” motion, spinning or rotational motion, side-to-side motion or any other reciprocating motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: American Greetings Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130139419
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: American Greetings Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130139418
    Abstract: An interactive greeting card having a multi-panel greeting card body, a sound module and a molded track contained between two or more panels of the multi-panel greeting card body, and a moveable object which is attached to the molded track through an opening in one or more of the greeting card panels. The moveable object is operative to move from one end of the molded track to the opposite end of the molded track whereby playback of a pre-recorded digital audio file is initiated. The interactive greeting card may additionally contain a small motor which causes movement of a second moveable object and an object launcher which is operative to launch an object along the track and into the air. Other special effects may be included such as lights, additional sounds or movement, or any other special effects which can be incorporated into a greeting card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: American Greetings Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130125429
    Abstract: Three-dimensional lightweight foam greeting cards are described herein having a foam body with a perimeter wall that extends between two spaced apart parallel pieces of planar sheet material such as heavy gauge paper, cardboard, or other such material. The greeting cards have a partially hollowed foam body or one or more cavities in the foam body concealed in the front and back by the planar sheet material which may be pre-cut in the shape of the foam body are decorated consistent with the design of the foam body. The cavities in the foam body may contain various electronic components that enable the greeting card to produce sound, record and playback a personalized message, trigger light activation, trigger the movement of moveable parts, display digital video, photographs or slideshows, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: American Greetings Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130104431
    Abstract: An interactive sound generating greeting card having two separate and distinct components, one being an outer greeting card which serves as a pocket or cavity with a slot located thereon providing access to the pocket or cavity and the other being an inner greeting card which is sized to partially fit into the cavity in the outer greeting card. A sound module is contained and concealed within the outer greeting card cavity, including a switch mechanism. The inner greeting card and switch mechanism work in combination to control the playback of a digital audio file stored on the sound module such that when the inner greeting card is contained within the cavity of the outer greeting card, playback of the digital audio file is deactivated and when the inner greeting card is removed from the cavity of the outer greeting card, playback of the digital audio file is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION
    Inventor: American Greetings Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130086831
    Abstract: The greeting card of the present invention combines paper, mechanical and electrical components to simulate the action of a record player or phonograph. When the greeting card is opened, a paper record begins to spin as audio plays along in the background. The greeting card is made of heavy-gauge paperboard formed into a box-like structure with a flap opening thereon. The box-like structure or body of the greeting card may have various indicia printed thereon which make the greeting card resemble a mini record player or phonograph. The box-like structure contains a cavity therein which houses and conceals the mechanical and electrical components of a greeting card. A corrugate insert, also located within the cavity, serves as protection for the mechanical components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: American Greetings Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130074379
    Abstract: The interactive greeting card of the present disclosure and related inventions combines a traditional paper card with one or more special effects that are initiated by interaction between a user and the greeting card. One or more touch sensors are used to initiate effects including, but not limited to sound, light, movement or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION
    Inventor: AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130074380
    Abstract: The interactive greeting card of the present disclosure and related inventions combines a traditional paper card with one or more special effects that are initiated by interaction between a user and the greeting card. One or more touch sensors are used to initiate effects including, but not limited to sound, light, movement or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION
    Inventor: AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130036635
    Abstract: The greeting card of the present disclosure and related inventions combines the practicality of a traditional paper greeting card with the advanced capabilities and increased entertainment value of an electronic greeting card. A unique card fold is designed to hold a smart phone, tablet or other web-enabled electronic device. A quick response (QR) code or other digital or optical code or wireless signal, which is linked to a website, application, or other online content, is printed or encoded on the greeting card. After scanning the QR code with an electronic device, a user slides the electronic device into a pocket or cavity contained on or within the greeting card. The destination may contain a slideshow, a video, an interactive game, or other digital content. The greeting card contains various graphics and other printed indicia which correspond directly with the digital content which plays on the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION
    Inventor: American Greetings Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130026116
    Abstract: A greeting card display includes an upper tier and a lower tier positioned below the upper tier. The upper and lower tiers include multiple rows of pockets for displaying greeting cards. Some of the pockets of the upper tier and/or the bottom tier, typically the pockets of the bottom rows, can present greeting cards in a full-facing manner to display all or substantially all of the full face of each greeting card. The upper tier can include a card highlighter, positioned along one of the rows, configured with pockets to present and highlight cards placed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION
    Inventor: AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130016871
    Abstract: A low profile miniature speaker configured for use in greeting cards such as sound generating greeting cards and other novelties. The thickness of the speaker is minimized while maintaining the sound quality and increasing strength. The speaker magnet is counter-sunk into the housing of the speaker, thereby decreasing overall thickness. The speaker is configured with concentric ribs that radiate outward from the center of the circular speaker. The ribs reinforce the plastic housing and increase the structural strength of the speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION
    Inventor: American Greetings Corporation