Abstract: A greeting card assembly with a card body panel, a cam lift mechanism, and at least one decorative element fixed to tab portions of the cam lift mechanism extending through cam slots in the card body panel. The cam lift mechanism is actuatable by pivoting subpanels of the card body panel away from each other. Pivoting of one of the subpanels causes lateral movement of a cam lever, which then pulls an extended arm portion of a rotating portion of the cam lift mechanism, causing the rotating portion to rotate about a primary axle. The cam slots guide the decorative elements radially outward or radially inward toward the primary axle upon rotation of the cam lift mechanism, causing the decorative elements to pop up or extend outward from the card body panel.

Abstract: A greeting card having a unique die cut and scored line pattern and a container to be inserted into the binding area of the card. The greeting card and container includes a sheet like element having first, second, third and fourth scored lines forming the binding area, first, second, third, and fourth die cuts creating first and second tabs at the binding area for receiving the container.

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.

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.

Abstract: A collapsible toy kitchen apparatus and method, an embodiment including a back support including a backsplash, a kitchen counter including a countertop and a range and being pivotably connected to the back support, a base pivotably connected to the back support, and two side walls that are each foldable. The pivotable connections and foldable side walls allow the toy kitchen to collapse, such as for storage.

Abstract: Animated printed media (e.g., greeting cards, books, etc.) are disclosed herein. An animated printed medium according to one embodiment includes two pages that define a pocket therebetween. At least one of the pages has a window with a plurality of spaced apart transparent sections, and a pushsleeve is coupled to an element that is rotatable relative to the two pages. The pushsleeve extends in the pocket and has a coded image positioned to move beneath the window. A fold line is between the pushsleeve and the element to allow the pushsleeve to rotate relative to the element. The pushsleeve is movable between a first position where the element is between the fold line and the window and a second position where the fold line is between the element and the window. Movement of the pushsleeve between the first and second positions causes the coded image to move beneath the window.

Abstract: An animated foldable card that includes a base page, shield page, first intermediate page and second intermediate page all having top, bottom, left and right edges. The shield page includes a window defined therein and its bottom edge is hingedly connected to the top edge of the base page. The right edge of the first intermediate page is hingedly connected to the left edge of the base page, and the right edge of the second intermediate page is hingedly connected to the left edge of the first intermediate page. The card also includes a moveable page having top, bottom, left and right edges. The right edge of the moveable page is hingedly connected to the left edge of the second intermediate page, and the moveable page includes one of either a plurality of shutter elements or at least one coded image associated therewith. Either the base page or the shield page includes the other of the plurality of shutter elements and the at least one coded image associated therewith.

Abstract: A message card includes: a card body having first and second leaves, the card body being foldable and unfoldable in a manner that the first leaf is movable toward and away from the second leaf between closed and opened positions; a mounting base provided on the second leaf; a supporting mechanism mounted on the mounting base and defining two opposite end openings that are spaced apart from each other by a gap; a circuit unit; a switch mounted on the mounting base, coupled electrically to the circuit unit, and having an actuating member extending into the gap; and a flexible driving lever attached to the first leaf, extending through the end openings, and co-movable with the first leaf relative to the second leaf. The driving lever has a driving segment that is received in the gap to drive movement of the actuating member of the switch.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a pocketed business communication construction, such as a presentation folder, that includes at least one independently, automatically erectable piece for displaying promotion of marketing, advertising or contact information. The assembly is used to contain complimentary and related printed pieces which are held by one or more sleeves or pockets integrally connected to a variably imaged substrate. One or more passive retaining means are provided integrally with at least one of the pocketed configurations to removably hold a biased attention direction piece. The piece is printed with matching and/or complimentary information to that contained by the pocketed communication.

Abstract: The Lamella card consists of a foldable wrapping having at least one sighting window, a first image carrier arranged inside it and a second image carrier comprising at least 4 lamellae inserted in one another. At least one of said lamellae is fitted with a lever, which is guided in a guiding slot, connected to a driving element. The lamellae are arranged in such a way that each lamella is brought under the first folding section and over a second neighboring folding section and can be driven by the motion of the driving element from the covered position of the first folding section over the second neighbouring folding section. Through the movement of the lamellae over a motion track, either the image located on the first image carrier or an image located on the lamellae can be displayed in a sighting window.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to an animation actuator and devices employing such an animation actuator. Actuators and devices of the invention are useful in animated entertainment devices. In one embodiment of the instant invention, the actuators are used in connection with an animated greeting card.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to an animation actuator and devices employing such an animation actuator. Actuators and devices of the invention are useful in animated entertainment devices. In one embodiment of the instant invention, the actuators are used in connection with an animated greeting card.

Abstract: The invention provides an article of manufacture comprising at least three layers, the layers including an inner layer of a compressed expandable material, at least one porous outer layer and at least one outer layer having a surface adapted to receive and retain indicia.

Abstract: A simple foldable greeting card wherein, upon opening, decorative display elements self-generate a 3-D effect.

Abstract: Books with internal mechanization have rotary and linear drive mechanisms which displace objects along linear, non-linear, rotary and three-dimensional paths relative to the book pages are described. Spatially arranged cut-outs in the pages which correspond to the range of motion of the displaced and translated objects allow different moving objects to be viewed at different areas of the book from page to page. Battery powered drive mechanisms with push-button operation accessible from the front of the book enables easy, selective activation of the moving objects, independent of the position of the front cover and pages relative to the back cover. Belt-driven wheels provide inherent clutching action to prevent damage to the drive mechanism. Manually operated embodiments of the various drive mechanisms which produce each of the described motions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novelty piece is fabricated from a continuous roll of paper printed on both sides with four separate sets of indicia. Fold lines and cut lines are provided at predetermined positions, an adhesive is applied at preselected locations, the sheet is then folded and the pieces are cut out ready for use. The final piece can be folded in a second position showing one face or side, opened to a third position showing a different face or side, opened to a fourth position showing still another different face or side, and finally opened to a the original starting position showing the original face or side. The method is particularly suited to roll fed printing presses such as the web type of press.

Abstract: A sheet has a number of slots laterally defining elements with fold lines extending between said slots. One end of the sheet is attached to the bottom surface of a box and the other end is attached to the inner surface of a lid hinged to the box. The elements can be spatially unfolded, forming at least one plane parallel to one of the said surfaces when it is substantially perpendicular to the other surface, and so that the scenery construction is folded on itself when the lid is swung down on the box.

Abstract: A novelty piece is fabricated from a single sheet of paper printed on both sides with four separate sets of indicia. Fold lines and cut lines are provided at predetermined positions and an adhesive is applied at preselected locations and the sheet is then folded. After the adhesive sets, the pieces are cut out ready for use. The final piece can be folded in a first position showing one face or side, opened to a second position showing a different face or side, opened to a third position slowing still another different face or side, and finally opened to a fourth position showing another different face or side.

Abstract: A battery operated animated greeting card is disclosed which includes a display portion which is animated when the card is opened. The card includes a circuit board activated by batteries, with a wire of a titanium-alloy material activated by the circuit board to contract to move a portion of the display portion.

Abstract: A self-erecting pop-up stationery display structure assembly bonded to an underlying stationery sheet supports a display panel positioned overlying the stationery sheet. The collapsible self-erecting support has a central panel spanning the space between the stationery sheet and the overlying display panel, with first and second end panels joined to it by respective first and second fold lines, the first being formed of resilient elastomer leaf spring sheet material with a preformed angular bend formed therein. A collapsing force causes the central panel to fold toward the stationery sheet, elastically deforming the preformed angular bend in the resilient elastomer sheet. Removal of the collapsing force releases the deformed angular bend, which returns elastically to its preformed bend configuration, positioning the display panel in a deployed position spaced from the stationery panel.