FLEXIBLE DEVICE FOR ATTACHING CARDS TO A GIFT OR PACKAGE
Disclosed is a decorative clip that firmly holds a greeting card with ease of removal and replacement. The clip is attached to a ribbon or elongated band by a connector that provides angular, vertical and lateral positioning of the top of the clip with respect to the package to adapt to the shape and size of the package. The present invention also includes a kit of components that can be sold as a unit as well as a method of assembling the components in three ways to provide the optimum versatility of the packaging to fit the size and shape of the package. One such kit is specifically disclosed for wrapping one of the most common gifts of a bottle of wine.
Priority is claimed for U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/693,809 filed Aug. 28, 2012.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIXNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONGood with odd shaped packages like wine bottles
The most prevalent approach to gift wrapping today still utilizes a tag attached with a saliva wetted, one time sticker, a folded, pleated and wrinkled sheet of wrapping paper, shabbily torn transparent adhesive tape, corrugated ribbon and a little mound of ribbon loops with peel off adhesive that resembles a bow. This approach yields a gift with a tag that gets detached and separated from the package accompanied by a wrapper, ribbon and bow that are not reusable. The overall end result is generally unattractive, amateurish and cheap looking. Therefore, a need currently exists for a card holding device that is attractive, allows the greeting card to be easily removed, read and replaced and that is both professional looking and reusable. The needed packaging also stays professional looking and reusable because it is adaptable to the size and shape of the article. The present invention fulfills this need with a decoratively shaped card clip that allows the user to easily remove, read and replace the card and provides the wrapping materials that deliver a professional looking package that is well fitted to the object inside and is especially well suited for wrapping odd shapes and sizes.
PRIOR ARTThe following prior art exemplifies inventor's attempts to improve the state of the art outlined in the background section above and reveals how the prior art falls far short of the improvements of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,456,551 to Skapyak shows a card clip with a loop at the top that pivots providing flexible angular position of the card clip. However, Skapyak lacks a package wrapper, lacks a decorative card clip, has no connector, no elongated band, no bow, lacks a card clip with a vertically moveable pivot position and lacks choice of lateral clip movement, stationery clip position or clip removability with respect to the package.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,455,399 to Botts shows a card clip with a loop at the top providing angular positioning of the card clip. However, Botts lacks a package wrapper, lacks a decorative card clip, has no connector, no elongated band, no bow, lacks a card clip with a vertically moveable pivot position and lacks choice of lateral clip movement, stationery clip position or clip removability with respect to the package.
U.S. Pat No. D668,550 to Roumell shows a package wrapper and bow. However, Roumell lacks a decorative card clip with a loop at the top, has no connector, no elongated band, lacks card clip with vertically and angular moveable pivot position and lacks choice of lateral clip movement, stationery clip position or clip removability with respect to the package.
U.S. Pat. No. D441,279 to Remar shows a package wrapper and bow. However, Remar lacks a decorative card clip with a loop at the top, has no connector, no elongated band, lacks a card clip with an angular and vertically moveable pivot position and lacks choice of lateral clip movement, stationery clip position or clip removability with respect to the package.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,451,777 to Jobst shows a decorative spiral clip. However, Jobst lacks a package wrapper, lacks a loop at the top of the card clip, has no connector, no elongated band, and no bow, lacks angular and vertically moveable clip pivot position and lacks choice of lateral clip movement, stationery clip position or clip removability of the card clip with respect to the package.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,633,253 to Ellis shows a clip connected to a connector and the connector attached to a tag. However, Ellis lacks a package wrapper, lacks a loop at the top of the card clip, has no elongated band, and no bow, lacks vertically moveable clip pivot position and lacks choice of lateral clip movement, stationery clip position or clip removability of the card clip with respect to the package.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,509,765 to Flores shows a clip connected to a label. However, Flores lacks a package wrapper, lacks a loop at the top of a decorative card clip, has no elongated band, and no bow, lacks vertically moveable clip pivot position and lacks choice of lateral clip movement, stationery clip position or clip removability of the card clip with respect to the package.
None of the prior art summarized above neither separately nor in combination teach any of the claimed combinations of the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention includes a clip that attractively and gracefully holds the greeting card with ease of removal and replacement. The clip is attached to a ribbon or elongated band by a connector that provides both angular and vertical movement of the loop at the top of the clip as well as lateral clip movement, clip removability or stationary clip positioning with respect to the package. These features allow the present invention to adapt to the shape and size of the package and allows all of the components to lay flat for shipping. These features, also, make the present invention ideally suited for wrapping the odd shape of a wine bottle and the more conventional shape of a jewelry box. The present invention also includes a kit of components that can be sold as a unit as well as a method of assembling the components in three ways to provide the optimum versatility of the packaging to fit the size and shape of the package.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a device, method and kit that provide a user with everything needed for an attractive, practical, versatile and reusable gift wrapping;
A second primary objective of the present invention is to provide a greeting card clip that is both attractive, allows for easy removal and replacement of the card and is versatile to adapt to fastening to a variety of package sizes and shapes especially the more prestigious gifts of wine, jewelry and fragrance;
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a ribbon and bow that play a part in the versatility of the device, method and kit;
Still another objective of the invention is to provide a preformed wrapper that insures consistent visual effect and serviceability for the most inexperienced and uncoordinated user;
Claims
1. A device allowing for easy removal and replacement of gift cards for use with a wide range of package shapes and sizes, comprising:
- an elongate band;
- wherein the elongate band has a width exceeding a thickness;
- a card;
- wherein the card comprises one or more sheets of any material, shape, thickness or indicia;
- a clip;
- wherein the clip exerts a normal forces upon the face and the back of the card;
- wherein the normal forces produces a frictional forces between the clip and the card that resist motion between the card and the clip;
- a loop with an opening at a top edge of the clip;
- wherein the clip hangs from the opening in a direction determined by a gravitational force;
- wherein the top of the opening is oriented perpendicular to the direction of the gravitational force;
- a connector;
- wherein the connector is made of an elongate material that is formed to encircle the loop and the elongated band;
2. The device of claim 1, wherein:
- The connector is formed in a “D” shape;
3. The device of claim 2, wherein:
- the connector is made of elongate material with a length that is approximately three times a width of the elongate band.
- wherein the connector has a semi-circular portion in the center with a length that is approximately the same as the width of the elongate band;
- wherein the connector is bent ninety degrees at either end of the semi-circular portion forming a “D” shape with the semi-circular portion forming the right hand side of the “D” shape and two sections that are essentially straight and parallel forming the left hand side of the “D” shape;
4. The device of claim 3, wherein:
- the loop opening in the clip and the elongate band both pass through the opening at the center of the “D” shape connector;
5. The device of claim 4, wherein:
- the connector and clip are secure from removal from the elongated band and are free to slide along the length of the elongate band;
6. The device of claim 3, wherein:
- the connector passes through the opening in the clip and the elongate band is pinched between the two the two essentially straight sections forming the left hand side of the “D” shape of the connector;
7. The device of claim 6, wherein:
- the connector is removable from the elongate band and may be replaced anywhere along the elongate band when the elongate band is pinched between the two essentially straight sections forming the left hand side of the “D” shape;
8. The device of claim 3, wherein:
- the two essentially straight sections that form the left side of the “D” shape puncture the elongate band;
9. The device of claim 8, wherein:
- the connector is secure from movement or removal from the elongate band when the two essentially straight sections that form the left side of the “D” puncture the elongate band;
10. A method of use of a device for easy removal and replacement of gift cards and adaptable to a wide range of package types, comprising:
- supplying an object to be wrapped;
- supplying a wrapper to cover the object;
- supplying an elongate band to encircle the wrapper covering the object;
- supplying a card for greeting a recipient of the object;
- supplying a clip for easy removal and replacement of the card;
- supplying a connector for attaching the clip to the elongate band;
11. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
- determining if a wrapped object requires a card that slides easily along the elongate band;
- threading the elongate band through the hole in the connector before fastening the elongate band around the wrapped object;
12. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
- determining if the wrapped object requires a card that is securely fastened in a single position along the elongate band;
- piercing the elongate band with both ends of the connector before fastening the elongate band around the wrapped object;
13. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
- determining if the wrapped object requires a card that is removable and replaceable in any position along the elongate band;
- pinching the elongate band between a two bent sections in parallel forming the left hand side of a “D” shape of the connector before fastening the elongate band around the wrapped object;
14. A kit for wrapping an object including a device for easy removal and replacement of gift cards that is adaptable to a wide range of package types, comprising:
- a wrapper to cover the object;
- an elongate band to encircle the wrapper;
- a card;
- a clip for easy removal and replacement of the card;
- a connector for attaching the clip to the elongate band;
- instructions for identification of objects that require one of three methods of attaching the connector to the elongate band;
- instructions for attaching the connector to the elongate band using all of the three methods.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 28, 2013
Publication Date: Mar 6, 2014
Inventor: Katharine Accola (Providence, RI)
Application Number: 14/013,029
International Classification: B65D 25/20 (20060101);