Patents Assigned to American Greetings Corporation
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Patent number: 8812386Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Jason Corbo, Matt Baker, Kyle Roggenburk
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Patent number: 8807356Abstract: A product merchandising outpost system of the present invention is a versatile and adaptable system of construction that allows for the merchandising of virtually any product at retail. The finished product can be custom manufactured to specific size, finish, material and design. The display can be assembled in multiple configurations based on the merchandising requirements. The product can also be used with or without several optional components. The display consists of a square tube frame with pre-punched holes approximately every four inches along the top and bottom horizontal frame members. Multiple frames can be attached together to create several merchandising display configurations using manufactured connectors. Each frame is outfitted with a merchandising panel. A decorative or functional element, such as display headers and decorative fins may also be attached to the outside of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2011Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Christopher P. Weigand, Anthony J. Santarelli, John J. Digney
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Publication number: 20140208622Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Sharon Bogdanski, John Talbot, Lauren Budzar, Melissa Flesher, Beth Dinvald
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Publication number: 20140210843Abstract: Methods and systems for rendering an electronic greeting card to a portable computing device, wherein the visually-perceived light effects of the electronic greeting card are updated in real time. The electronic greeting card is dynamically rendered to the portable computing device including these dynamic light effects.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATIONInventors: Robert VanCuren, JR., Eric James Wright
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Publication number: 20140202051Abstract: An integral greeting card/game is disclosed wherein a multi-panel greeting card also serves as a game board and is combined with a game piece and launch mechanism to create a novel, interactive greeting card. The multi-panel greeting card contains a sound module therein and a magnetic trigger is contained and concealed below one or more of the multiple greeting card panels. The game piece contains a magnet therein so that when the game piece comes into contact with the area of the greeting card above or proximate to the magnetic trigger, playback of an audio file is initiated.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: American Greetings CorporationInventor: David Mayer
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Patent number: 8763285Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Lauren Budzar, Gary Nelson, Melissa Sapp, Melissa Flesher
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Patent number: 8763286Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 6, 2012Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Eva Jin, Tiger Qiao, Jonathan Talbot, David Mayer, Allison Marsh
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Patent number: 8739438Abstract: The present disclosure and related inventions are directed to a greeting card in the shape of a wine bottle. A clear vacuum form is placed onto the front surface of a two-panel greeting card, creating a cavity therebetween. An intricate paper scene is disposed within the cavity, concealing various electronic components. A faux cork is attached to the greeting card at a pivot point wherein the faux cork can move between a first position where it is partially contained within the cavity and a second position where it is substantially outside of the cavity. Movement of the faux cork about the pivot point causes playback of pre-recorded audio and illumination of one or more LED lights and/or fiber optics.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Annie Deckerd, Carol Miller
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Publication number: 20140144052Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2013Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: American Greetings CorporationInventor: American Greetings Corporation
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Publication number: 20140137445Abstract: Electronic greeting cards include a greeting card with two or more interconnected panels in combination with a digital multimedia player device which includes an electronic display and an audio output, and circuitry which is operative to receive, store and play digital multimedia files and content. The various greeting card structures cover and encapsulate or otherwise house and adorn the digital multimedia player. Digital files are loaded on to the digital multimedia player by a connection to a network, or directly from a data storage device such as an SD card or USB connection or compact flash which interfaces with a port in the digital multimedia player. Pre-recorded digital multimedia greeting card content is either pre-loaded on a portable data storage device, or selected for purchase and downloaded or transferred for replay by the digital multimedia player of the electronic greeting card.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2014Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Josef A. Mandelbaum, Rajiv Jain, Allison Marsh, Kimberly Bikowski, Cathy Tasse, David Mayer, Eliza DeVogel, Katalina Speck, Mary McClain, Sharon Bogdanski, Melinda Leeders, Catherine Gruntman
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Patent number: 8726547Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 7, 2013Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Sharon Bogdanski, John Talbot, Lauren Budzar, Mary McClain, Brent Cottrell, Melissa Cornet, Dave McPeek, Brian Cleary, Melissa Flesher, Beth Dinvald, Tiger Qiao, Jerry Guo
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Patent number: 8701322Abstract: A sign cube system having a substantially square-shaped box portion having four substantially planar side surfaces, one closed end and one open end, and a wire support having a substantially square-shaped portion which is inserted into the open end of the box portion and a stem extending perpendicular to and vertically downward from a center of the square-shaped portion. The wire support may be attached to an upright bracket and inserted into a substantially hollow upright member of a retail merchandise display or the wire support may be attached to a stringer which extends horizontally between two upright members of the retail merchandise display.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Anthony Santarelli, Doug Kaiser
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Patent number: 8695242Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventor: Gary Nelson
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Patent number: 8683721Abstract: The present disclosure and related inventions are directed to a greeting card or other social expression product which is combined with a simple game with sound and light effects. The greeting card combines a traditional paper greeting card, a plastic-molded game encasement and game board, lever, and game pieces with various electronic components to create an interactive greeting card with playable game that causes sound and light effects.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Sharon Bogdanski, Melissa Flesher, Mike Gali, Karen Rowlett, Annie Deckerd
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Publication number: 20140068977Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Allison Marsh, David Mayer, Carol Miller
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Patent number: 8661719Abstract: The interactive greeting card of the present invention contains a multi-panel greeting card body with various electronic components contained and concealed therein. Upon opening the greeting card, spoken instructions may instruct the user to move an attached magnet from one area of the greeting card to another to initiate a surprise or various special effects such as sound and light.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Terry Hughes, Carol Miller, John Talbot, Gary Nelson, Lauren Budzar
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Publication number: 20140054250Abstract: The present invention discloses a greeting card highlighter for organizing greeting cards into particularized groupings and displaying the greeting cards on a larger fixture in a manner which attracts the attention of consumers. The greeting card highlighter may contain two or more greeting card pockets which are operative to hold a plurality of greeting cards. The pockets may be arranged in a back-to-back arrangement, perpendicular to the main greeting card display to which the highlighter is attached, so as to attract the attention of consumers walking up or down a greeting card aisle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Emory BROZAK, Anthony J. Santarelli
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Patent number: D700236Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2013Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: Gary Nelson, Lynne Shlonsky
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Patent number: D700237Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventors: David Mayer, Lynn Shlonsky
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Patent number: D706342Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: American Greetings CorporationInventor: Lynne Shlonsky
