Patents by Inventor Robert R. Pavlu, Jr.

Robert R. Pavlu, Jr. 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).

  • Patent number: 11854436
    Abstract: An openable structure, such as a greeting card or book, with a body, a cam lift mechanism, and at least one decorative element fixed to tab portions of the cam lift mechanism extending through cam slots in the body. The cam lift mechanism is actuatable by pivoting subpanels of the body away from each other. Pivoting of one of the subpanels causes lateral movement of a cam lever, which then pulls an extended arm portion of a rotating portion of the cam lift mechanism, causing the rotating portion to rotate about a primary axle. The cam slots guide the decorative elements radially outward or radially inward toward the primary axle upon rotation of the cam lift mechanism, causing the decorative elements to pop up or extend outward from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Douglas M. Bowen, Robert R. Pavlu, Jr., Thomas A. Wallen
  • Publication number: 20230092586
    Abstract: An openable structure, such as a greeting card or book, with a body, a cam lift mechanism, and at least one decorative element fixed to tab portions of the cam lift mechanism extending through cam slots in the body. The cam lift mechanism is actuatable by pivoting subpanels of the body away from each other. Pivoting of one of the subpanels causes lateral movement of a cam lever, which then pulls an extended arm portion of a rotating portion of the cam lift mechanism, causing the rotating portion to rotate about a primary axle. The cam slots guide the decorative elements radially outward or radially inward toward the primary axle upon rotation of the cam lift mechanism, causing the decorative elements to pop up or extend outward from the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Douglas M. BOWEN, Robert R. PAVLU, JR., Thomas A. WALLEN
  • Patent number: 11514820
    Abstract: An openable structure, such as a greeting card or book, with a body, a cam lift mechanism, and at least one decorative element fixed to tab portions of the cam lift mechanism extending through cam slots in the body. The cam lift mechanism is actuatable by pivoting subpanels of the body away from each other. Pivoting of one of the subpanels causes lateral movement of a cam lever, which then pulls an extended arm portion of a rotating portion of the cam lift mechanism, causing the rotating portion to rotate about a primary axle. The cam slots guide the decorative elements radially outward or radially inward toward the primary axle upon rotation of the cam lift mechanism, causing the decorative elements to pop up or extend outward from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Douglas M. Bowen, Robert R. Pavlu, Jr., Thomas A. Wallen
  • Publication number: 20210280090
    Abstract: An openable structure, such as a greeting card or book, with a body, a cam lift mechanism, and at least one decorative element fixed to tab portions of the cam lift mechanism extending through cam slots in the body. The cam lift mechanism is actuatable by pivoting subpanels of the body away from each other. Pivoting of one of the subpanels causes lateral movement of a cam lever, which then pulls an extended arm portion of a rotating portion of the cam lift mechanism, causing the rotating portion to rotate about a primary axle. The cam slots guide the decorative elements radially outward or radially inward toward the primary axle upon rotation of the cam lift mechanism, causing the decorative elements to pop up or extend outward from the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Douglas M. Bowen, Robert R. Pavlu, JR., Thomas A. Wallen
  • Patent number: 11004361
    Abstract: A greeting card having mechanically actuated moving portions is provided. The greeting card may include a panel having one or more folds, one or more flexible drive shafts coupled to the panel and having a flipping or moving portion, and a decorative portion coupled to at least one of the panel and the flipping or moving portion. Each flexible drive shaft may be coupled to the panel such that a portion is positioned on a first side of the fold and a portion is positioned on a second side of the fold. When the greeting card is opened, a moment arm is created in the flexible drive shaft which causes the flipping or moving portion to move from a first position to a second position. The decorative portion may move in response to the flipping or moving portion moving from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Douglas M. Bowen, Robert A. Covey, Thomas A. Wallen, Robert R. Pavlu, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10984680
    Abstract: A greeting card assembly with a card body panel, a cam lift mechanism, and at least one decorative element fixed to tab portions of the cam lift mechanism extending through cam slots in the card body panel. The cam lift mechanism is actuatable by pivoting subpanels of the card body panel away from each other. Pivoting of one of the subpanels causes lateral movement of a cam lever, which then pulls an extended arm portion of a rotating portion of the cam lift mechanism, causing the rotating portion to rotate about a primary axle. The cam slots guide the decorative elements radially outward or radially inward toward the primary axle upon rotation of the cam lift mechanism, causing the decorative elements to pop up or extend outward from the card body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas M. Bowen, Robert R. Pavlu, Jr., Thomas A. Wallen
  • Patent number: 10974863
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible virtual reality viewer. Aspects of the viewer include a body portion and a viewing portion, each having a plurality of panels abutting fold lines. The viewer may be folded along the fold lines to move from an expanded configuration to a collapsed configuration when it is not being used. In one aspect, the viewer includes a detachable panel that is removeably coupled to the viewer along a plurality of perforations. Promotional material may be printed on or attached to the detachable panel. In another embodiment, the body portion and the viewing portion are each formed of a unitary construction in which the panels of each portion are die cut from a single piece of material and folded along fold lines to form the body and viewing portions, which are then secured together at one or more locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert R. Pavlu, Jr., Thomas A. Wallen, Scott A. Schimke
  • Publication number: 20200135058
    Abstract: A greeting card having mechanically actuated moving portions is provided. The greeting card may include a panel having one or more folds, one or more flexible drive shafts coupled to the panel and having a flipping or moving portion, and a decorative portion coupled to at least one of the panel and the flipping or moving portion. Each flexible drive shaft may be coupled to the panel such that a portion is positioned on a first side of the fold and a portion is positioned on a second side of the fold. When the greeting card is opened, a moment arm is created in the flexible drive shaft which causes the flipping or moving portion to move from a first position to a second position. The decorative portion may move in response to the flipping or moving portion moving from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Douglas M. Bowen, Robert A. Covey, Thomas A. Wallen, Robert R. Pavlu, JR.
  • Patent number: 10515568
    Abstract: A greeting card having mechanically actuated moving portions is provided. The greeting card may include a panel having one or more folds, one or more flexible drive shafts coupled to the panel and having a flipping or moving portion, and a decorative portion coupled to at least one of the panel and the flipping or moving portion. Each flexible drive shaft may be coupled to the panel such that a portion is positioned on a first side of the fold and a portion is positioned on a second side of the fold. When the greeting card is opened, a moment arm is created in the flexible drive shaft which causes the flipping or moving portion to move from a first position to a second position. The decorative portion may move in response to the flipping or moving portion moving from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas M. Bowen, Robert A. Covey, Thomas A. Wallen, Robert R. Pavlu, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190270540
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible virtual reality viewer. Aspects of the viewer include a body portion and a viewing portion, each having a plurality of panels abutting fold lines. The viewer may be folded along the fold lines to move from an expanded configuration to a collapsed configuration when it is not being used. In one aspect, the viewer includes a detachable panel that is removeably coupled to the viewer along a plurality of perforations. Promotional material may be printed on or attached to the detachable panel. In another embodiment, the body portion and the viewing portion are each formed of a unitary construction in which the panels of each portion are die cut from a single piece of material and folded along fold lines to form the body and viewing portions, which are then secured together at one or more locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: ROBERT R. PAVLU, JR., THOMAS A. WALLEN, SCOTT A. SCHIMKE
  • Patent number: 10329047
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible virtual reality viewer. Aspects of the viewer include a body portion and a viewing portion, each having a plurality of panels abutting fold lines. The viewer may be folded along the fold lines to move from an expanded configuration to a collapsed configuration when it is not being used. In one aspect, the viewer includes a detachable panel that is removeably coupled to the viewer along a plurality of perforations. Promotional material may be printed on or attached to the detachable panel. In another embodiment, the body portion and the viewing portion are each formed of a unitary construction in which the panels of each portion are die cut from a single piece of material and folded along fold lines to form the body and viewing portions, which are then secured together at one or more locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Pavlu, Jr., Thomas A. Wallen, Scott A. Schimke
  • Publication number: 20190035309
    Abstract: A greeting card having mechanically actuated moving portions is provided. The greeting card may include a panel having one or more folds, one or more flexible drive shafts coupled to the panel and having a flipping or moving portion, and a decorative portion coupled to at least one of the panel and the flipping or moving portion. Each flexible drive shaft may be coupled to the panel such that a portion is positioned on a first side of the fold and a portion is positioned on a second side of the fold. When the greeting card is opened, a moment arm is created in the flexible drive shaft which causes the flipping or moving portion to move from a first position to a second position. The decorative portion may move in response to the flipping or moving portion moving from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Douglas M. Bowen, Robert A. Covey, Thomas A. Wallen, Robert R. Pavlu, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180190156
    Abstract: A greeting card having mechanically actuated moving portions is provided. The greeting card may include a panel having one or more folds, one or more flexible drive shafts coupled to the panel and having a flipping or moving portion, and a decorative portion coupled to at least one of the panel and the flipping or moving portion. Each flexible drive shaft may be coupled to the panel such that a portion is positioned on a first side of the fold and a portion is positioned on a second side of the fold. When the greeting card is opened, a moment arm is created in the flexible drive shaft which causes the flipping or moving portion to move from a first position to a second position. The decorative portion may move in response to the flipping or moving portion moving from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: DOUGLAS M. BOWEN, ROBERT A. COVEY, THOMAS A. WALLEN, ROBERT R. PAVLU, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180002059
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible virtual reality viewer. Aspects of the viewer include a body portion and a viewing portion, each having a plurality of panels abutting fold lines. The viewer may be folded along the fold lines to move from an expanded configuration to a collapsed configuration when it is not being used. In one aspect, the viewer includes a detachable panel that is removeably coupled to the viewer along a plurality of perforations. Promotional material may be printed on or attached to the detachable panel. In another embodiment, the body portion and the viewing portion are each formed of a unitary construction in which the panels of each portion are die cut from a single piece of material and folded along fold lines to form the body and viewing portions, which are then secured together at one or more locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: ROBERT R. PAVLU, JR., THOMAS A. WALLEN, SCOTT A. SCHIMKE
  • Patent number: 9830836
    Abstract: A greeting card having mechanically actuated moving portions is provided. The greeting card may include a panel having one or more folds, one or more flexible drive shafts coupled to the panel and having a flipping or moving portion, and a decorative portion coupled to at least one of the panel and the flipping or moving portion. Each flexible drive shaft may be coupled to the panel such that a portion is positioned on a first side of the fold and a portion is positioned on a second side of the fold. When the greeting card is opened, a moment arm is created in the flexible drive shaft which causes the flipping or moving portion to move from a first position to a second position. The decorative portion may move in response to the flipping or moving portion moving from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas M. Bowen, Robert A. Covey, Thomas A. Wallen, Robert R. Pavlu, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9359125
    Abstract: A gift box is described for housing a plurality of pop-up elements that are automatically presented to a user when a lid of the box is removed. The box includes an interior portion enclosed by a base and sidewalls around its outer periphery. The interior portion of the gift box contains a central tower coupled to four levers that each pivot on a respective sidewall. The central tower and/or the four levers additionally have one or more paper pop-up elements attached thereto that are presented to a user when the box is opened. A band passing through the interior portion of the box stores the mechanical energy necessary to cause the four levers to pivot on the sidewalls, thereby generating the force to move the central tower out of the box when the lid is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Robert R. Pavlu, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140346069
    Abstract: A gift box is described for housing a plurality of pop-up elements that are automatically presented to a user when a lid of the box is removed. The box includes an interior portion enclosed by a base and sidewalls around its outer periphery. The interior portion of the gift box contains a central tower coupled to four levers that each pivot on a respective sidewall. The central tower and/or the four levers additionally have one or more paper pop-up elements attached thereto that are presented to a user when the box is opened. A band passing through the interior portion of the box stores the mechanical energy necessary to cause the four levers to pivot on the sidewalls, thereby generating the force to move the central tower out of the box when the lid is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: ROBERT R. PAVLU, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100080494
    Abstract: A gift bag having a bag body with a cuff on an outer surface thereon includes a gift trim attachment member coupled therewith to provide a location for attaching a gift trim to the gift bag. The cuff defines a downwardly opening pocket out of which a looped ribbon extends to define the gift trim attachment member. The gift trim includes attachment device that facilitates attaching and detaching of the gift trim to the gift bag and a decorative trim body that may take the form of an ornament, a hang tag, a to/from card, or a message cutout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: HALLMARK CARDS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Robert R. Pavlu, JR., Gina Lee Bailey
  • Patent number: 7648059
    Abstract: A collapsible piñata construction may include two main panels, multiple folding side panels and a mechanism located inside the piñata that expands the piñata into an erected state. In various embodiments, the collapsible piñata may be expanded by a single pull on a string or other member coupled to the expansion mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert R. Pavlu, Jr., Wong Chi Chiu, Cheung Siu Chun