Patents Assigned to American Greetings Corporation
  • RETAIL PLANNING APPLICATION AND METHOD FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS
    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
  • MOTORIZED GIFT PACKAGE ACCESSORY
    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
  • MOTION GREETING CARDS
    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
  • Motion greeting cards
    Patent number: 8490305
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Tiger Qiao, Jerry Guo
  • Motion greeting cards
    Patent number: 8490306
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry Guo, John Talbot, Anthony Begin, Annie Deckerd
  • MOTION GREETING CARDS
    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
  • GREETING CARD WITH SPRING LOADED SLIDE TRACK AUDIO TRIGGER
    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
  • Motion greeting cards
    Patent number: 8448361
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: David Sapp, David Mayer, Anastasia Taylor, Kimberly Bikowski, Allison Marsh, Tiger Qiao, Jerry Guo
  • Flap sensor activated greeting cards
    Patent number: 8448360
    Abstract: The interactive flap sensor activated greeting card of the present invention contains an audio module and a series of “window flaps” across the inside of the greeting card. When the greeting card is opened, a short audio prompt instructs the user to open a series of flaps inside the card to hear further audio messages or sound clips that correlate with the art work inside the card. When each flap is opened, a different audio file is played. The sound module is programmed to react to the card opening and then to trigger additional individual sounds each time one of the flaps of the card is opened. In another embodiment, the greeting card contains a series of flaps wherein opening one flap reveals another flap, and so on. Once the last flap is opened, a short audio recording is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry Guo, Tiger Qiao, David Sapp, Beth Laverdiere, Johnathan Talbot
  • THREE DIMENSIONAL FOAM GREETING CARDS
    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
  • Three dimensional illuminated greeting cards
    Patent number: 8438763
    Abstract: A three-dimensional illuminated greeting card which combines a unique card construction having a 3D pop-out structure with one or more lights contained therein. The 3D pop-out structure forms an internal cavity in which illumination means and other electronic components are contained. One or more sides of the 3D structure are made of translucent or semi-translucent material, creating a screen that can be illuminated from behind by one or more miniature lights, such as LED lights. The light or lights may be connected to an integrated circuit chip that can be programmed with various lighting effects. The greeting card may optionally include other electronic components which are configured to play sound or music or perform other electronic effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Anastasia Taylor, Allison Marsh, Johnathan Talbot, Tiger Qiao, Jerry Guo, Eva Jin, David Sapp, Seth Larson
  • SOUND GENERATING PULL-OUT GREETING CARDS WITH REMOVABLE PANELS
    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
  • Pop-up musical greeting cards
    Patent number: 8418384
    Abstract: An interactive greeting card operative to move between a first position wherein several interconnected panels are folded into a substantially flat position and a second position wherein the several interconnected panels are unfolded into a three-dimensional pop-up structure. Movement between the first and second positions may also control playback of digital audio, activation of one or more LED lights, or various other special effects. An inner sentiment panel is substantially contained within an outer greeting card body and is revealed when the greeting card is moved from the first to the second position. Various openings on the greeting card panels accommodate movement and visibility of the inner sentiment panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Eva Jin, Beth Laverdiere, David Sapp, Seth Larson, Johnathan Talbot
  • PHONOGRAPH GREETING CARD
    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
  • Greeting card outpost
    Patent number: D679922
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher Weigand
  • Greeting card mask—lion
    Patent number: D679754
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Rob Roth, Annie Deckerd
  • Greeting card mask-cat
    Patent number: D684211
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Rob Roth, Annie Deckerd
  • Greeting card mask-dog
    Patent number: D684212
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Rob Roth, Annie Deckerd
  • Greeting card mask-panda
    Patent number: D684213
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Rob Roth, Annie Deckerd
  • Foam music greeting card design
    Patent number: D684214
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Erin Dennis, Michelle Parkinson