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.

We claim:  
     
         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.