Abstract: A greeting card having an audio message recording and playback device permits recording of personalized audio messages to be played upon opening of the greeting card. The recording device is operable in either a trial mode or a use mode. In the trial mode, which would be applicable when the card is displayed in a store, a potential purchaser may experience the functionality of the card by recording their own test message. The test message is played back initially for the potential purchaser but is not subsequently played back to be later heard by other potential purchasers. In the use mode, which the card may be switched to after purchase by removal of a trial mode panel from the greeting card, a user recorded message is played repeatedly upon subsequent openings of the card. The user recorded message may be followed by a prerecorded recording, such as a song. Additional prerecorded messages, such as voice prompts with instructions for recording a message, may also be included.

Abstract: A greeting card having an audio message and playback device delivers a first sound recording upon opening of the greeting card and a second sound recording upon closing of the greeting card. The delivery of each sound recording may be delayed by a timing component within the audio message and playback device. Additionally, the delivery of each sound recording may be played simultaneously or in queue. Sound recordings may also be recorded by a user using a recording component that is in addition to the audio message and playback device. The audio message and playback device may also include an additional trial mode component that allows the user to test a recorded message before purchasing the greeting card and place the greeting card into a use mode that allows the user to permanently record the message.

Abstract: A greeting card having an audio recording and playback device permits recording of a karaoke-style song to be played upon opening of the greeting card. A user sings along with a permanently prerecorded, karaoke-style song that is played during a recording session. The recording device is operable in either a trial mode or a use mode. In the trial mode, a user-recorded song is played back initially for the potential purchaser but is not subsequently played back to be later heard by other potential purchasers. In the use mode, which the card may be switched to after purchase by removal of a trial mode panel from the greeting card, a user-recorded karaoke-style song is played upon subsequent openings of the card. During playback, the user-recorded song is played simultaneously with the prerecorded karaoke-style recording that was played during the recording session. Additional prerecorded messages, such as voice prompts with instructions, may also be included.

Abstract: A card may include a generally planar panel and a plurality of opposing retaining members disposed on the panel. The plurality of opposing retaining members may be arranged to retain a substantially rectangular transaction card having a first longitudinal axis in a first orientation with respect to the panel and to retain a substantially rectangular paper gift having a second longitudinal axis in a second orientation with respect to the panel, so that the orientation of the first longitudinal axis is substantially transverse to the second orientation of the second longitudinal axis. The paper gift may be, for example, paper monetary currency, a paper bank check, or a paper gift certificate. The transaction card may be, for example, a debit card, a credit card, a gift card, a prepaid phone card, a card containing a merchandise credit usable at a retail establishment.

Abstract: A card may include a generally planar panel and a plurality of opposing retaining members disposed on the panel. The plurality of opposing retaining members may be arranged to retain a substantially rectangular transaction card having a first longitudinal axis in a first orientation with respect to the panel and to retain a substantially rectangular paper gift having a second longitudinal axis in a second orientation with respect to the panel, so that the orientation of the first longitudinal axis is substantially transverse to the second orientation of the second longitudinal axis. The paper gift may be, for example, paper monetary currency, a paper bank check, or a paper gift certificate. The transaction card may be, for example, a debit card, a credit card, a gift card, a prepaid phone card, a card containing a merchandise credit usable at a retail establishment.

Abstract: When displayed, greeting cards are typically organized on a display fixture having multiple rows or levels upon which to sit the cards. Each row then has a front wall to hold in the card, yet is short enough to still view a portion of the greeting card above the wall. Because display fixtures are manufactured to have a specified amount of rows or levels at a specified depth, in order to adjust the specifications of a display fixture, other pieces may be used, for example, by attaching to the display fixture a convertible row to add another level or tier between set rows of the display fixture. By providing another row using a convertible row, another set of greeting cards may be displayed between cards displayed on other rows of the original display fixture, increasing the density of the overall display.

Abstract: A display device for presenting product in a hanging orientation includes a plurality of hanging locations spaced apart from each other both laterally and longitudinally. The longitudinal spacing of the hanging locations provides for a layered display of product, while the lateral spacing of the hanging locations provides for the arrangement of products of varying sizes. In some embodiments, the hanging locations are also spaced apart from each other vertically. The vertical spacing of the hanging locations provides for a cascading display of product. The display device is designed to be coupled to and supported by a display fixture.

Abstract: A display apparatus can include a substantially self-supporting panel adapted to be erected and used without the use of a support frame. In one embodiment, a frameless display fixture includes first and second panels fastened to one another proximal their upper edges, recesses adapted to receive retail merchandise integrally formed along a front side of the panel, and mating portions proximal their lower edge which interlock with a substantially rigid base unit such that the lower edges of the panels are held a fixed distance from one another. The first and second panels may be substantially mutually self-supporting so as to form a frameless display fixture.

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.

Abstract: A gift bag having an audio message playback device is activate by a motion detector to play an audio message upon detection of movement of the gift bag or in the vicinity of the gift bag. The gift bag includes a plurality of side walls and a bottom to define an interior for receiving a gift. The audio message, played upon the detection of movement of or in the vicinity of the gift bag, may include siren noises, music and/or spoken messages.

Abstract: A motion device capable of incorporation into an ornament has a module drive mechanism and one or more visual elements capable of being set in motion by a user's interaction with the drive mechanism. The module drive mechanism includes a plurality of motion components, such as gears. The motion components are activated via manual rotation of a crank arm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a greeting card with the capability of connecting to and interacting with a device. More particularly, this invention relates to a card having a connector that permits a memory device coupled with the card to interact with a device, such as a multimedia player or computing device. The memory device may include a file, such as a video or image, that has been stored by the card purchaser and that can then be executed on the device for the enjoyment of the card recipient. The memory device may store a file for the greeting card recipient to access or view on a device, such as a multimedia player, when the card is connected to the device. Additionally, the memory device may include executable software that causes the device to perform an action, such as opening up a webpage, once the card is connected to the device. In such an embodiment, the card may be a gift card, such as a standard gift card issued by retailers.

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.

Abstract: A method of displaying merchandise which creates a more user friendly display that facilitates quicker and easier shopping for a consumer includes an arrangement of gift wrapping items in a section of a display fixture initially by size. The section includes a first display section for displaying items of a first average size, a second display section for displaying items of a second average size and a third display section for displaying items of a third average size. The display sections are adjacent one another and do not contain items that do not fall within the general size of the average display size. This arrangement by size quickly directs the consumer to a small subset of merchandise being displayed in a section that would meet the consumer's needs. A total number of price points may be reduced to at least partially correspond with the display sections. Sections may also be configured so that only items of a particular color and theme are displayed therein such that each section has an overall hue.

Abstract: A decoration device may include a backlit panel inside an interior space of an ornament structure. The panel may include a decorative scene that is viewable from outside the ornament structure, and one or more light sources may be substantially aligned with certain elements of the scene (e.g., candles, a fireplace, stars, or the like) so that those elements have the appearance of emitting light that illuminates other portions of the decorative scene.