Patents Assigned to American Greetings Corporation
  • Musical chair greeting card
    Patent number: 9202391
    Abstract: The present disclosure and related inventions is directed to a three-dimensional (3D) greeting card. The greeting card is shaped like a chair which folds and unfolds and which plays audio upon interaction with the greeting card by a user. It also contains a miniature greeting card attached to the seat portion of the chair to provide a user with space for writing a message or adding his/her signature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Nelson
  • Pull activated greeting cards and gift bags with motion and audio
    Patent number: 9186928
    Abstract: The greeting card of the present invention is a traditional greeting card enhanced by audio and movement. The greeting card contains a pull trigger mechanism so that the user must interact with the greeting card to trigger the audio and motor movement. The pull trigger mechanism may be made of a variety of different materials and are intended to resemble the tail of various animals. Once the pull mechanism or tail has been pulled, the motor is activated causing movement of a portion of the greeting card proximate to the pull mechanism or tail which resembles the behind of an animal. The moveable portion of the greeting card moves, by for example back and forth, while audio plays in the background.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: John Talbot, Melissa Flesher, Dan Liuzzi, Sean Higgins
  • Electronic greeting cards
    Patent number: 9189977
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: David Mayer, David Sapp, Allison Marsh, Jerry Guo, Tiger Qiao
  • Greeting card with spring loaded slide track activated audio
    Patent number: 9186927
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Sharon Bogdanski, John Talbot, Lauren Budzar, Mary McClain, Brent Cottrell, Melissa Cornet, Dave McPeek, Brian Cleary, Melissa Flesher, Beth Dinvald, Tiger Qiao, Jerry Guo
  • Greeting card with scrolling scene
    Patent number: 9156300
    Abstract: The greeting card of the present invention includes a sound and motor module which enable the greeting card to play audio and activate a scroll mechanism which displays a scrolling scene across a window or screen located on at least one panel of the greeting card. The scroll mechanism contains a piece of thin paper or paper-like material which is attached end-to-end, forming a loop. The material is then placed between two rotating spindles or rollers which rotate the material in a loop across the greeting card page as a moving picture, scene or message. The scroll may contain a greeting, message or simply contain artwork or a funny or entertaining scene. The information on the scroll may be coordinated with the theme of the music or audio clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Michelle Parkinson, Erin Dennis, Seth Larson
  • Pop-up greeting card with confetti
    Patent number: 9156301
    Abstract: An interactive electronic greeting card with pop up feature includes a three-sided pocket or cavity which houses various electronic and mechanical components and a pop up element. In a first position, the pop up element is substantially contained within the greeting card pocket or cavity. When the push button is depressed, the pop up element is ejected or “pops up” out of the greeting card pocket or cavity, revealing a greeting or other printed indicia. The push button also initiates playback of a pre-loaded digital audio file, which may be a spoken message, a sound, a song, music or other such audio recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: Melissa Flesher
  • Seasonal feature displayer
    Patent number: 9119489
    Abstract: The seasonal feature displayer of the present disclosure and related inventions is configured to highlight and provide semi-permanent placement for a small selection of seasonal or special collection greeting cards among various other greeting cards displayed on a standard tiered greeting card fixture. The displayer utilizes two pivoting attachment support arms for attachment of the displayer to a tiered greeting card fixture. Integrated channels on the inside edges of the display are capable of holding product signage or marketing messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Megan Buettner, Anthony Santarelli, Emory Brozak
  • Greeting card display systems and methods with hierarchical locators defining groups and subgroups of cards
    Patent number: 9104699
    Abstract: A greeting card display system and method presents cards in grouped arrangements by category and sub-category. Locator headers span multiple columns of a tiered matrix of card stations to define the area of a group of cards. Related groups of cards are relatively positioned in the display to facilitate customer location of cards of a particular category or subcategory. A header or megalocator, which defines a broad category or theme of cards such as “Birthday”, extends over all of the columns of card stations of the display. Separate locators, beneath the header, extend over some of the columns of card stations below the header, and define a subcategory of cards such as “Birthday for Her”. All of the cards under the subcategory locators are within the defined subcategory, until another locator is reached, defining another subcategory such as “Birthday for Mom”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: Christine M. Kaprosy
  • Pop up greeting cards
    Patent number: 9056517
    Abstract: An interactive electronic greeting card with pop up feature includes a three-sided pocket or cavity which houses various electronic and mechanical components and a pop up element. In a first position, the pop up element is substantially contained within the greeting card pocket or cavity. When the push button is depressed, the pop up element is ejected or “pops up” out of the greeting card pocket or cavity, revealing a greeting or other printed indicia. The push button also initiates playback of a pre-loaded digital audio file, which may be a spoken message, a sound, a song, music or other such audio recording. Manually pushing the pop up element back into the cavity ends playback of the audio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Tiger Qiao, Johnathan Talbot, Theresa Muri, David Mayer, Jerry Guo, Annie Deckerd, Gary Nelson
  • Motorized gift package accessory
    Patent number: 9044990
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Sheila Coughlin, Anthony Begin, Allison Marsh
  • Gift bags with removable, configurable and wearable parts
    Patent number: 9033577
    Abstract: Gift bags with removable, configurable and wearable parts and components have multiple interconnected panels which include a bottom panel and multiple interconnected generally vertically oriented side panels which together form a bag or container with an interior volume which is accessible through an opening. Incorporated into or attached to one or more of the side panels or bottom panel are articles or components, structures or objects which fit with one or more of the side panels. The articles, components, structures or objects are detachable from the one or more side panels. The removable components are preferably secured to or made integral with any of the side panels by structures, devices or materials by which the components are both structural; aesthetic, decorative or ornamental, yet also relatively easily detachable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Karen Rednour, Dan Kopsak, Suzanne M. Lahr Yoder
  • Pop-up greeting cards with confetti
    Patent number: 9027269
    Abstract: An interactive electronic greeting card with pop up feature includes a three-sided pocket or cavity which houses various electronic and mechanical components and a pop up element. In a first position, the pop up element is substantially contained within the greeting card pocket or cavity. When the push button is depressed, the pop up element is ejected or “pops up” out of the greeting card pocket or cavity, revealing a greeting or other printed indicia. The push button also initiates playback of a pre-loaded digital audio file, which may be a spoken message, a sound, a song, music or other such audio recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Lauren Budzar, John Talbot, Lynne Shlonsky, Melissa Flesher
  • Motion greeting cards
    Patent number: 9009998
    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: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Tiger Qiao, Jerry Guo
  • Greeting card highlighter
    Patent number: 8991624
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Emory Brozak, Anthony J. Santarelli
  • Gumball machine greeting card
    Patent number: D724659
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony Begin
  • Combined game coin and package
    Patent number: D727721
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: David Mayer, Toby Seadler
  • Combined game coin and package
    Patent number: D734143
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: David Mayer, Toby Seadler
  • Character gift bag
    Patent number: D739252
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: David Mayer
  • Character gift bag
    Patent number: D740682
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventor: David Mayer
  • Gift bag with candy dispenser
    Patent number: D745282
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: American Greetings Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Begin, Beth Dinvald