WO2003068528A1

WO2003068528A1 - Improvements in greetings cards

Info

Publication number: WO2003068528A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/001580
Authority: WO
Inventors: Benjamin Sinclair Quinn
Original assignee: Benjamin Sinclair Quinn
Priority date: 2002-02-15
Filing date: 2002-04-02
Publication date: 2003-08-21
Also published as: AU2002242896A1

Abstract

A greetings card (1) is provided with a detachable prepaid competition entry (4).

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN GREETINGS CARDS

[0001] This invention concerns improvements in or relating to greetings cards.

[0002] In particular the present invention has reference to greetings cards that are used to convey not only a specific greetings message but also a gift for the recipient. It is of course well known for a certain kind of greetings card to enclose or include a monetary gift or indeed a gift voucher and in this regard there are retail outlets that vend such cards for exchange in the form of branded goods, but usually the voucher is not redeemable in cash terms.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved greetings card having the capacity to allow interaction on the part of the recipient.

[0004] According to the invention a greetings card incorporates a prepaid competition entry in favour of the intended recipient of the card.

[0005] The competition entry may be in the form of a scratch card, a lottery ticket, a raffle ticket for charities or other organisations, football pools or the equivalent thereof. In the alternative, the competition entry may carry a barcode into which is programmed the relevant competition data. As a further alternative the competition entry may comprise random numbers at the time of purchase by the donor or by the recipient within a predetermined time limit.

[0006] The competition entry as such may be free with the normal price of the card or its cost may be incorporated in the price of the card. [0007] The competition entry is integral with the card and may be detachable therefrom for presentation in the event of success in the competition. A non-removable record of the entry may also be provided in the card for reference purposes.

[0008] The detachable competition entry may be in the form of a section of the card that is removable along suitable lines of weakness, for example perforations. However, alternative means of detachment may be employed, for example temporary releasable adhesion.

[0009] A mulitplicity of competition entries may be provided on the card.

[0010] The greetings card may advantageously carry an appropriate greeting dependent upon the occasion to be celebrated and further the card is preferably presented with artwork of an aesthetic character on its outer surface or surfaces to confer the usual decorative and attractive appearance.

[0011] The present invention affords the sender of the card the opportunity to purchase in but a single step not only a suitable greetings vehicle but also an integral prepaid gift for the intended recipient. The prepaid gift allows in certain cases interaction by the recipient, for example by revealing a series of numbers, letters or other representations in order to determine the success or otherwise of entering the competition, lottery or raffle draw.

[0012] By way of example only, three embodiments of a greeting card according to the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] Figure 1 is a view of the inside of a first embodiment; [0014] Figure 2 is a view of the inside of a second embodiment; and [0015] Figure 3 is a view of the inside of a third embodiment.

[0016] In the figures similar features have been given the same reference numerals for ease of identification.

[0017] Referring first to Figure 1 there is shown a first embodiment of greeting card 1 including on one inside surface 2 (the facing surface when the card is opened) a competition entry 4 bearing random numbers 6 and a bar code 8, the entry being carried on a detachable ticket 10. The means of detachment simply comprises a perforated edge 12 around the ticket 10 enabling the ticket to be pushed out through the card. A normal greeting, in this instance 'Happy Birthday' , is also included on surface 2.

[0018] A permanent record for reference purposes is provided at 14 on the back surface 16 of the front of the card 1 , the record replicating the competition entry 4.

[0019] Referring now to Figure 2, the surface 2 carries on the detachable ticket 10 a greeting, in this example Ηappy Valentines Day', which is designed as a scratch card per se and accordingly the recipient by removing the coating can reveal what is intended to be an 'instant game' combination of numbers or other representations. The ticket 10, provided with the perforated edge 12, would then be removed and taken to an appropriate outlet for redemption. The surface 2 is provided with sufficient unused space for the sender to provide a personal greeting.

[0020] Figure 3 merely shows a variation of the embodiment of Figure 2 in that the message covering the scratch off surface is 'Happy Birthday' . Again the ticket 10 is detachable for carriage separate from the card for redemption purposes. [0021] Since the ticket 10 is detachable, the bulk of the greetings card 1 can be retained for sentimental reasons.

[0022] The invention thus provides a greetings card with a dual function in terms of giving to the recipient appropriate greetings and a gift by way of the competition entry that may or will lead to a positive return.

Claims

1. A greetings card characterised by a prepaid competition entry (4) in favour of the intended recipient of the card (1) .

2. A greetings card according to Claim 1 characterised in that the competition entry (4) is in the form of a scratch card , a lottery ticket, a raffle ticket for charities or other organisations, football pools or the equivalent thereof.

3. A greetings card according to Claim 1 characterised in that the competition entry (4) is in the form of a barcode (8) programmed with the entry data.

4. A greetings card according to Claim 1 characterised in that the competition entry (4) is in the form of random numbers.

5. A greetings card according to Claim 4 characterised in that the random numbers are selectable at the time of purchase.

6. A greetings card accordging to Claim 4 characterised in that the random numbers are selectable by the recipient of the card.

7. A greetings card according to Claim 1 characterised in that the competition entry (4) is integral with the card.

8. A greetings card according to Claim 1 characterised in that the competition entry (4) is detachable for presentation in the event of success in the competition.

9. A greetings card according to Claim 8 characterised in that the detachable competition entry (4) is in the form of a section of the card that is removable along suitable lines of weakness (12) .

10. A greetings card according to Claim 9 characterised in that the lines of weakness are constituted by perforations (12) .

11. A greetings card according to Claim 8 characterised in that the competition entry (4) is detachable by the use of temporary releasable adhesion.

12. A greetings card according to Claim 1 characterised in that a mulitplicity of entries is provided on the card.

13. A greetings card according to Claim 1 characterised in that a nonremovable record (14) of the competition entry is provided in the card (1) for reference purposes.

14. A greetings card according to Claim 1 characterised in that the greetings card (1) carries an appropriate greeting dependent upon the occasion to be celebrated and the card is presented with artwork of an aesthetic character on its outer surface or surfaces to confer the usual decorative and attractive appearance.