Postcard for carrying compact disk

Abstract

A postcard for carrying a disk medium, such as a compact disk or digital video disk, through the mails. In one embodiment, the postcard includes a card substrate, formed from card stock, which contains, on its front side, an area for an image or message, and a means for attaching a disk medium. The means for attaching a disk medium is preferably a clear plastic pocket. The back side of the card substrate includes an area for information written by the sender, such as a message and postal information of the recipient. In another embodiment, the postcard also includes a filler card, placed next to the back side of card substrate, and a transparent plastic film encloses the card substrate, means for attaching a disk medium, and filler card. In this embodiment, the area for postal information and a message is a label applied adhesively to the back side of the postcard over the plastic film.

Description

PRIORITY

[0001] This is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 09/917,579, filed Jul. 27, 2001, U.S. Pat. No. ______, which claims the benefit of provisional Application No. 60/221,130, filed Jul. 27, 2000.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field

[0003] The field is post cards of the type that are sent through the mails and used as souvenirs and, more specifically, the field includes post cards that are adapted to transport other materials.

[0004] 2. State of the Art

[0005] Greeting cards are configured to convey messages from a sender to a recipient in various ways. A variety of folded greeting cards have been developed, which display images and/or pre-printed written messages, and ordinarily provide space where the sender can write a personal message. Such greeting cards may be designed to hold a photograph, a compact disk, or other flat item by insertion into a slot or flap in one page of the card. To ensure safe transport through the mail, folded greeting cards must be inserted within an envelope or other wrapper before mailing. The contents, including a photograph, compact disk, or other item, are typically not visible once the envelope or wrapper is sealed, unless the envelope or wrapper has a window or similar arrangement. Envelopes with window arrangements can be complicated to manufacture and often involve additional expense; they also often do not provide a clear, complete view of the item to be displayed.

[0006] Postcards ordinarily constitute a single, stiff page or card, that is flat and not folded, and that includes a front side having an image, such as a scene of a famous landscape, and a back side having space where the sender can provide postal information, including the recipient's name and postal address and a postage stamp or mark with processing information, and also an area where the sender can write a personal message. The space for writing personal messages or for providing text, such as a written description of the scene on the front side of the postcard, is ordinarily very limited. Additionally, because a conventional postcard is not enclosed in an envelope or other wrapper, and is not folded to protect is contents, it is difficult to attach additional material or items which contain a further message or image, and which will not become detached, or cause the postcard to adhere to other mail or become jammed in postal service sorting and reading machinery.

SUMMARY

[0007] A postcard that includes a means for attaching a compact disk or other similar disk medium, including a digital video disk, multi-laminate disk, or Smartcard, to the postcard, is described. The postcard also contemplates attaching a microchip to a postcard. In one embodiment, the postcard includes a card substrate that is a first single sheet, preferably formed from cardstock, having a front side and a back side. The front side includes a first area with a message or a scenic, graphic or artistic image, and a second area with a means for attaching disk media, such as a compact disk, digital video disk or other similar disk medium. In the present embodiment, the back side is blank, although in other embodiments, the back side may include various information, messages, and images, as desired by the manufacturer.

[0008] The means for attaching a disk medium is preferably a pocket affixed to the front side of the first sheet, having an opening, such as a slit or perforation, through which a compact disk or digital video disk, or other disk medium, can be inserted into or removed from, the pocket. The pocket can be any of several pocket arrangements for holding a disk or other similar medium, the pocket preferably made of a plastic, although other materials such as paper or foil may be used. The pocket is preferably transparent, to permit a purchaser to see the compact disk or other disk medium and relate that to the image also found on the front side of the card. The pocket preferably is sized so that its width and length are slightly larger than the diameter of the disk medium, to snugly hold the disk but also to allow room for easy insertion and/or removal.

[0009] In one embodiment, the pocket has a back sheet and a front sheet, both formed from clear plastic, bound together to form a cavity in which the disk is held. The pocket is affixed to the front side of the postcard with an adhesive. A slit or perforation in the pocket is used to insert the disk medium and/or remove it from the pocket. In this embodiment, the postcard also includes a filler card, preferably formed of stiff chipboard or cardboard, placed behind the first sheet, to provide support to the first sheet and its attached disk medium. The filler card is preferably not attached or affixed to the first sheet, although in certain embodiments it may be attached to the first sheet with glue or another adhesive. The postcard also includes a thin layer of transparent plastic, preferably a shrink wrap application, covering the postcard, including the first sheet and the filler card, and the pocket, forming a protective layer over the pocket and its contents, and holding the first card and the filler card together. This layer reduces the risk that the pocket, and other parts of the postcard, may become snagged or caught in postal machinery or other mail. Also in this embodiment, a label is affixed to the back side of the postcard, on top of the plastic layer, the label providing a surface for writing address information and personal messages. The label is preferably a paper label with an adhesive backing. In a preferred embodiment, an insert sheet is included in the postcard, positioned between the filler card and the plastic layer, the insert sheet including instructions for use of the disk medium.

[0010] In another embodiment, the postcard includes a single sheet of card stock, having a front side and a back side. In this embodiment, the postcard does not include a filler card. This embodiment is otherwise the same as the embodiment described above. In a further embodiment, the postcard includes a single card substrate and disk medium, with areas defined on the card substrate for display of information, the card substrate and disk medium closely held together by a single layer of plastic material, such as may be applied in a blister pack construction. The present description includes a method for making a postcard carrying a disk medium such as a compact disk.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the content of the disk medium and the message or image on the front side of the card are coordinated. Preferably also, the postcard includes a compact disk which contains a video, audio, slide show or multimedia presentation. The compact disk may contain a greeting, including a greeting from the sender, a description of a scenic location or event, or other presentation, which is coordinated with an image displayed on the postcard.

[0012] As noted above, the pocket is preferably transparent, which enhances the marketing value of the postcard, enabling a potential buyer to see the image of the first area and to understand that the disk medium of the second area will provide multiple images, a sound narrative, and perhaps music further describing the image shown. For example, a resort may use the postcard of the present invention as a marketing tool to display an image of a lodge owned by the resort, and also to provide much more information for potential visitors via a compact disk video presentation of the amenities offered by the lodge as well as recreational activities available in the surrounding area. The post card may also be sold as a souvenir for tourists or visitors, having an image of a scenic landscape on one area of the front side of the card, and a compact disk on a second area of the front side of the card, the compact disk providing a further description of the history, natural features, and geologic importance of the landscape.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The drawings include:

[0014] FIG. 1, depicting the front side of a postcard of one embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 2, depicting the back side of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 3A, depicting a further embodiment of the postcard, including a postcard with a front side having a first area for displaying an image and a second area in which a compact disk is attached to the postcard.

[0017] FIG. 3B, depicting a cross-sectional view of the postcard of FIG. 3A.

[0018] FIG. 3C, depicting the back side of the postcard of FIG. 3A.

[0019] FIG. 3D, depicting the front side of another embodiment of the postcard of the present description.

[0020] FIG. 3E, depicting a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the postcard of the present description.

[0021] FIG. 3F, depicting a further cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the postcard.

[0022] FIG. 3G, depicting a view of the back side of another embodiment of the postcard.

[0023] FIG. 4, depicting a flow diagram of a method for forming a postcard as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] A postcard, formed to carry a compact disk or other disk medium through the mail. The postcard may be of any size allowed by postal regulations, and will typically include one or more pieces of card substrate, such as single, stiff sheets or cards, usually of rectangular shape, as described in greater detail below. The card substrate may be made of paper, plastic, or other material that can withstand postal processing. In one embodiment, as displayed in FIG. 1, the postcard 10 is a single sheet, that has a front side 12, including a first area 14 and a second area 16. The first area 14 displays an image and/or a greeting, and the second area 16 includes a means 18 for attaching a disk medium 20, to the postcard 10. The disk medium may be a compact disk, digital video disk, multi-laminate disk, or other disk medium. Also, the invention can attach other media and items such as a Smartcard, or a microchip. As depicted in FIG. 2, the back side 22 of the postcard 10 has a first area 24 for postcard text, such as a description of the image found on the front side, and the sender's written message, and a second area 26 for postal information, including the recipient's name and address and a stamp or postal bar code and other communications to the postal authorities. More or less space may be devoted to postcard text and the sender's written message depending on the design preferences of the card manufacturer. In some embodiments, there may be no space provided for postcard text or a personal message. In a preferred embodiment, the area for postcard text and/or personal message and the area for postal information are found on a label that is attached to the backside of the postcard, although in other embodiments this may be found on the backside of the postcard.

[0025] In other embodiments of the invention, the front side of the postcard may include only an image or greeting, and the means for attaching a disk medium may be located on the back side of the postcard.

[0026] As depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the postcard is a single sheet of material, having a front side and a back side. The sheet is rectangular in shape, although other shapes may be used, including a square shape. The postcard includes means for closely holding a disk medium, such as a compact disk, digital video disk, multi-laminate disk or other disk medium, to the sheet of material.

[0027] FIG. 3A depicts another embodiment of the postcard. In this embodiment, the postcard 100 includes a first sheet 112, preferably formed of cardstock, having a front side 114, to be viewed by the consumer. The front side 114 of the postcard 100 includes a first area 116 for an image or message, and a second area 118, which includes a pocket 120 attached to said postcard 100, having a slit 122 for inserting the disk medium 124 into the pocket 120, or removing it from the pocket 120. In the embodiment depicted, the disk medium 124 is a compact disk. The pocket 120 is preferably made of a thin, flexible material sized to snugly hold the compact disk. The pocket 120 is affixed to the front side 114 of the postcard 100. The pocket 120 is preferably formed from a sheet 126 of thin flexible material, such as plastic, folded and sealed to form a cavity in which the disk medium 124 is held. The pocket 120 may be formed from other flexible materials, such as paper or foil. Preferably, the pocket is transparent, and clear plastic is accordingly a preferred material for the pocket 120. The length of the slit 122 is slightly greater than the diameter of the disk medium 124 and its width is slightly greater than the diameter of the disk medium 124. As shown in FIG. 3A, the slit 122 is on the outer face of the pocket 120, although it may be located at the top of the pocket 120 or in other locations, such as the back of the pocket 120, beneath the disk medium 124, with a perforation or other opening in the inner face of the pocket and in the sheet 112, as may facilitate ease of removal of the disk medium 124 from the pocket 120, or insertion of the disk 124 into the pocket 120.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the postcard also includes a filler card 128, placed behind the first sheet 112, to provide support to the first sheet 112. The filler card 128 is formed from a stiff material such as chipboard or cardboard, although other paper products or plastic material may be used. Preferably, the filler card 128 has a weight in excess of 20 point; 40 point chipboard or cardboard is preferred, to enhance support provided to the first sheet 112 and compliance with postal regulations. The filler card 128 is preferably the same size as the first sheet 112, although the size of the filler card 128 may vary from that of the first sheet 112. In this embodiment, a thin sheet or film of plastic 130 is placed over to cover and enclose the first sheet 112 and the filler card 128. This plastic sheet 130 holds the first sheet and filler card together and provides a second layer, in addition to the pocket 120, that further protects the disk medium 124 while the postcard 100 is in transit. The plastic sheet 130 is preferably transparent, and is preferably attached snugly to the postcard 100 by a shrink wrap process. The plastic sheet encloses the entire card, although it may cover only a portion of the card in other embodiments. Other methods of attaching an outer layer of plastic may be used, including hot sealing the outer edges or folded edges of the plastic.

[0029] The pocket 120 may be constructed in any of various ways known by those familiar with packaging compact disks and other disk media. In any of these methods, a slit or perforation, or an opening with a flap over it, may be cut in the material of the pocket to permit a disk to be inserted or removed. Alternatively, the pocket may be formed around a disk, and a slit created only for removal of the disk. The compact disk is be of any size compatible with a postcard that meets postal regulations. The preferred size for a disk of the present invention is a 3¼ inch miniround, although other sizes may be used. As noted above, other forms of disk media may be used, including digital video disks, and multi-laminate disks. In addition, it is contemplated that a Smartcard or similar information-bearing card may be attached to the postcard of the present invention. A message, image or design may be displayed on the disk medium, for example, to relate the disk medium with the image or message on the front side of the postcard. As a further embodiment, a microchip or microchip-bearing substrate may be attached to the postcard of the present invention or, in another embodiment, may be embedded in the first sheet or filler card, in one or more areas, alone or in combination with a disk medium attached as envisioned by the invention.

[0030] FIG. 3B depicts a cross-sectional view of the postcard of FIG. 3A with the front side 114 of the postcard 100, containing the pocket 120 and disk medium 124 facing up. The pocket 120 is attached to the first sheet 112 of the postcard 100. The pocket 120 surrounds the disk medium 124. The filler card 128 is positioned beneath the first sheet 112. An insert sheet 132, containing instructions for the disk medium 124 and/or other information, is then placed beneath the filler card 128, although alternatively the insert sheet 132 may be placed between the first sheet and the filler card. The use of an insert sheet is optional, and an alternative embodiment does not include the insert sheet 132. A thin plastic sheet 130, attached through a shrink wrap process, covers the pocket 120, the first sheet 112 and the filler card 128, and any insert sheet 132. The plastic sheet 130 acts to protect the pocket 120 and its contents, and creates a smooth surface that reduces the risk that the pocket 120 or any other part of the postcard 100 will snag or become caught in postal machinery or other mail. In a preferred embodiment, a label 134 is affixed to the outside-facing surface of the thin sheet of plastic 130 on the back side of the postcard (the side opposite the side carrying the disk medium 124). The label 134 provides a surface on which postcard text, and/or a personal message, and postal information is provided. The label 134 is preferably comprised of paper that is compatible with ink and postage stamps, and has an adhesive backing that permits easy attachment to the plastic sheet 130.

[0031] FIG. 3C depicts the back side of the postcard 100 of FIG. 3A. In this view, the label 134 is affixed to the plastic sheet 130, which covers and encloses the first sheet (not shown), the filler card 128, any insert sheet (not shown), and the pocket and disk medium (not shown). The label 134, contains the postcard text 136 and postal information 138, and any desired space for a personal message 140.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the disk medium is a compact disk and the content of the compact disk is coordinated with the image or message displayed on the postcard. The compact disk may include a video or audio recording. Alternatively, the compact disk may include a prepared video or audio presentation, slide show, or multimedia presentation, that includes a narrative and/or music.

[0033] In another embodiment, depicted in FIG. 3D, the postcard 100 includes a card substrate 112, formed of cardstock, or other suitable material, including plastic or paper, having a front side 114. The front side 114 of the postcard includes an area 116 for an image or message, and a second area 118, which includes a pocket 120 attached to said postcard 100. The pocket 120 holds a disk medium 124 against the front side 114 of the post card 100. The pocket 120 is formed from a layer 126 of material, such as plastic, foil or paper, attached to the front side 114 at the outer edges 128 of the layer 126, forming an enclosure in which the disk medium 124 is held.

[0034] In one embodiment, depicted in the cross-sectional view of the postcard 100, shown in FIG. 3E, the pocket 120 is formed with a blister pack construction. The pocket 120 includes an outer wall 125 and shallow side walls 127, all formed from the layer 126, and a back wall 129 which is a portion of the front side 114 of the postcard 110. In this embodiment, the outer edges 128 of the layer 126 of the pocket 124 are sealingly attached to the front side 114 of the post card 100. The disk medium 124 is closely held by and enclosed within the pocket 120 formed from the layer 126 and the back wall 129. In a further embodiment, depicted in FIG. 3F, the layer 126 used to form the pocket 120 extends over and is sealingly attached to substantially the entire area of the front side 114 of the postcard 100, except for the portion of the front side 114 wherein the pocket 120 is formed for inclusion of the disk medium 124 in the postcard 100. In another aspect of this embodiment, the layer 126 forms the pocket 120 and covers a portion, but less than the entire area, of the remainder of the front side 114 of the postcard 100.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3D, the disk medium 124 is encased in the pocket 120 formed through a blister pack construction. The disk medium 124 is loosely held in the pocket and can be in contact with the front side 114, but is not attached to the front side 114. In another embodiment, the disk medium 124 may also be enclosed in an additional envelope or pocket, which then fits into and is enclosed by the pocket 120. Access to the disk medium 124 within the pocket 120 may be achieved by tearing away the pocket 120 from the front side 114 of the post card 100, along a portion of the outer edges 128, where the pocket 120 is attached to the front side 114. In another embodiment, depicted in FIG. 3G, the back side 130 of the card may include a perforation 135 in the portion of the back side 130 opposite the pocket 120 (the pocket 120 being attached to the front side 114 of the postcard 100 as depicted in FIG. 1), which may be opened to permit removal of the disk medium 124. Further, the area 141 of the back side 130 opposite the pocket 120 on the front side 114 may be formed of paper or foil, adhesively attached to the back side 130, which may be peeled or torn away to permit removal of the disk medium 124. The back side 130 includes an area 137 for postal information and an area 139 for notes written by the sender. As will be appreciated, the arrangement and location of the postal information, notes, the disk medium, and location of other desired images or writing on the postcard can be altered, and the present description is not intended to limit the approaches that may be taken arranging these areas on the postcard. In yet another embodiment, referring again to FIG. 3D, the pocket 120 may have a perforation 135 or other opening along its outer edges, or along a side of the postcard 100, to permit removal of the disk medium 124 from the pocket 120. Any of several methods for removal of the disk medium 124 may be utilized and the present description is not intended to limit the ways in which this may be accomplished. In the present embodiment, wherein a layer extends across all or a portion of the front side 114 of the postcard 100, and is attached to the front side 114 of the postcard 100, the postcard 100 does not include a filler card, or a plastic layer on top of the back side of the postcard 100. In further embodiments, however, in which this same construction is used, the postcard 100 can include one or more additional pieces of card substrate, including a filler card, and a plastic layer or backing covering the back side of the postcard 100.

[0036] The invention further includes a method for attaching a compact disk or other medium to a postcard. As described on the flow diagram of FIG. 4, the method includes a step 200 of forming a first sheet, having a front side and back side, of the postcard, preferably of card stock, although other materials, such as plastic or other paper products may be used. The method includes a step 210 of placing an image or message on a first area of the front side of said first sheet. The method includes a step 220 of affixing a pocket containing a compact disk or other disk medium to a second area of the front side of said first sheet. The method includes a step 230 of placing a filler card next to and behind the back side of the first sheet so that the two are in contact. In the present embodiment, the first sheet and filler card are not attached (such as through glueing or other adhesives), but in another embodiment the first sheet and filler card may be attached together. The separate filler card is used to accomplish acceptable stiffness and support for the postcard, while not adding such additional thickness and weight to the first sheet. Using thicker card stock for the first sheet could interfere with the printing process needed to place an image on the card stock. Preferably, the filler card is formed of a single, unfolded sheet of cardboard or chipboard in excess of 20 point weight, and preferably is comprised of 40 weight point cardboard or chipboard. A stiffer cardboard or chipboard provides a stronger support for the first sheet, is less likely to curl or warp, and is more likely to cause the invention to be acceptable to postal authorities. In a preferred embodiment, the first sheet and filler card are approximately the same size and shape. While various sizes and shapes may be used, the preferred shape is rectangular, having a length about 8 inches and width of about 3.75 inches. The method includes a step 240 of applying a layer of thin plastic, such as a plastic sheet or film, over the entire postcard, including the first sheet and the pocket, and the filler card, preferably through a shrink wrap process. The method also includes a step 250 of attaching a label to the backside of said postcard, to the layer of thin plastic, said label providing areas for postcard text, if desired, for writing the recipient's name and address, and affixing a stamp or other information for postal processing, and/or an area for writing a personal message. The label may be an adhesive label, having an adhesive backing which adheres to the postcard, or it may be attached by applying glue. The label may be comprised of paper, plastic or other material suitable for absorbing and retaining ink, and for holding a postage stamp. The label is preferably a paper label with an adhesive backing. The method includes an optional step 235 of placing an insert sheet into the post card, which contains instructions for using the compact disk or other medium. The insert is placed on either side of the filler card, preferably in contact with the filler card, but not attached to it, and, then, in step 240, the entire card, including the insert, is covered with a of thin plastic, according to step 240 and the label is attached according to step 250.

Claims

1. A postcard, comprising:

a sheet, having a front side and a back side;

a first area for displaying an image or message, said first area located on said front side;

a second area, also located on said front side, said second area including a means for attaching a disk medium to said front side;

a filler card, positioned with one side in contact with the back side of said sheet;

a plastic layer applied to enclose sealingly said sheet, said means for attaching a disk medium, and said filler card; and

a label, attached to at least a portion of said plastic layer covering the side of said filler card opposite said sheet.

2. The postcard of claim 1, further comprising compact disk, closely held to said sheet by said means for attaching a disk medium.

3. The postcard of claim 1, further comprising a multi-laminate disk, closely held to said sheet by said means for attaching a disk medium.

4. The postcard of claim 1, further comprising a microchip, and wherein said means for attaching a disk medium includes a means for attaching a microchip to said sheet.

5. The postcard of claim 1, wherein said means for attaching a disk medium is a pocket affixed to said front side.

6. The postcard of claim 5, wherein said pocket is comprised of plastic and is transparent.

7. The postcard of claim 1, wherein said sheet is formed from card stock.

8. The postcard of claim 1, wherein said plastic layer is a plastic film applied through a shrink wrap process.

9. The postcard of claim 1, wherein the image or message of said first area is coordinated with the content of said disk medium.

10. A postcard, comprising:

a sheet, having a front side and a back side;

a means for attaching a disk medium, connected to said sheet on said back side;

a first area for displaying postal information, located on said back side; and

a second area for displaying information, located on said front side.

11. The postcard of claim 10, wherein said sheet is formed from card stock material.

12. The postcard of claim 10, further comprising a disk medium, and wherein said means for attaching a disk medium is a pocket formed from transparent plastic material, said pocket enclosing said disk medium and affixed to the back side of said sheet.

13. The postcard of claim 10, further comprising a disk medium in contact with said back side, wherein said means for attaching a disk medium includes a layer formed to cover said disk medium, said layer being affixed to at least a portion of said back side.

14. The postcard of claim 13, wherein said layer is a plastic sheet sealingly affixed to at least a portion of said back side.

15. The postcard of claim 13, wherein said layer is a plastic material formed over said disk medium and at least a portion of said sheet in a blister pack process, said plastic layer enclosing said disk medium and holding it alongside said sheet.

16. The postcard of claim 13, further comprising a disk medium in contact with said back side, and wherein said means for attaching a disk medium is a plastic film enclosing said sheet and disk medium, and holding said disk medium in contact with said sheet.

17. A postcard, comprising:

a card substrate, having a front side and a back side;

a disk medium;

a means for closely holding said disk medium to said card substrate;

a first area for displaying information, defined on a first portion of said card substrate; and

a second area for displaying information written, defined on a second portion of said card substrate.

18. The postcard of claim 17, wherein said card substrate is formed from card stock material.

19. The postcard of claim 17, wherein said card substrate is formed from plastic material.

20. The postcard of claim 17, wherein said card substrate is formed from a paper product, and said first area is laminated.

21. The postcard of claim 17, wherein a portion of said second area for displaying information includes an area for a sender to write postal information.

22. The postcard of claim 17, wherein said means for closely holding said disk medium includes a pocket sized to enclose a disk medium, said pocket being attached to said card substrate.

23. The postcard of claim 22, wherein said disk medium is a compact disk.

24. The postcard of claim 22, wherein said disk medium is a digital video disk.

25. The postcard of claim 22, wherein said disk medium is a multi-laminate disk.

26. The postcard of claim 22, wherein said disk medium is a Smartcard.

27. The postcard of claim 26, further including a microchip attached to said card substrate, and wherein said means for closely holding said disk medium includes connecting a microchip to said card substrate.

28. The postcard of claim 22, wherein said pocket is formed from a paper material.

29. The postcard of claim 22, wherein said pocket is formed of foil material.

30. The postcard of claim 22, wherein said pocket is formed of a plastic material.

31. The postcard of claim 22, wherein said pocket includes an opening for inserting said disk medium into and removing said disk medium from said pocket.

32. The postcard of claim 17, wherein said means for closely holding said disk medium includes a plastic layer formed to cover and enclose said disk medium in a space between said plastic layer and said card substrate, a portion of said plastic layer being affixed to a third portion of said card substrate.

33. The postcard of claim 32, wherein said plastic layer is applied to said card substrate and disk medium in a blister pack process.

34. The postcard of claim 32, further comprising a perforation in said card substrate, said perforation being located in an area of said card substrate underlying said disk medium, said perforation permitting a user to open said card substrate and to withdraw said disk medium from said space between said plastic layer and said card substrate.

35. The postcard of claim 17, wherein said means for closely holding said disk medium to said card substrate includes a thin layer of plastic applied to enclose said card substrate and disk medium in a shrink wrap process.

36. The postcard of claim 22, further comprising a thin layer of plastic material applied to enclose said card substrate and pocket in a shrink wrap process.

37. A postcard, comprising:

a card substrate, having a front side and a back side;

a means for attaching a disk medium to said card substrate;

a filler card, positioned against the back side of said card substrate;

an area for displaying a message or greeting, located on the front side of said card substrate;

a plastic film, enclosing said card substrate, said means for attaching a disk medium, and said filler card, secured to retain therein said card substrate, said means for attaching a disk medium, and said filler card; and

a label, attached to a portion of said plastic film covering said back side, and having an outward facing surface for displaying information to a user.