Patent Application
20160039590
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The disclosure generally relates to package assemblies for card products such as gift cards, debit cards, credit cards, discount cards, pharmaceutical cards, and the like.
The market for card products such a merchant gift cards continues to grow. Such cards may be subject to fraud, for example by a thief removing a valid gift card from a card holder that is used to activate the card, and inserting a fraudulent gift card in the holder. This activity, sometimes referred to a swapping, results in activation of the valid card held by the thief and non-activation of the fraudulent card held by the unsuspecting consumer. As a result, an ongoing need exists for improved card product package assemblies, which is addressed by the present disclosure.
Disclosed herein is a package for display and sale of a card product comprising a first portion including a first panel connected to a second panel via a first fold line and a third panel connected to the second panel via a second fold line, the first panel including a first opening, the third panel including a second opening, which, in a folded state where the first panel has been folded to overlap the second panel via the first fold line and the second panel has been folded to overlap the third panel via a second fold line and the fourth panel has been folded to overlap the third panel via the third fold line, the first opening at least partially overlaps the second opening, a second portion foldably connected to the first portion, wherein the second portion displays information about the card product, a first fastener, and a second fastener releasably attached to the first fastener when the first portion and the second portion are in a closed position, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener re-attachably separate from one another when the first portion and the second portion are in an open position.
Also disclosed herein is a method for display and sale of a card product comprising providing a first portion of a package having the card product removably attached therein, enclosing the card product within the first portion when the first portion is in a folded state, providing a second portion of the package foldably connected to the first portion, releasably attaching a first fastener to a second fastener when the first and second portions are in the closed position, wherein the first and second fasteners are reattachably-separable, displaying information relating to the card product on the second portion when the first and second portions are in the closed position and in an open position, and revealing at least a portion of the card product through an opening formed in the first portion.
Further disclosed herein is a package system comprising a first portion including a first panel connected to a second panel via a first fold line and a third panel connected to the second panel via a second fold line, the first panel including a first opening, the third panel including a second opening, which, in a folded state where the first panel has been folded to overlap the second panel via the first fold line and the second panel has been folded to overlap the third panel via a second fold line and the fourth panel has been folded to overlap the third panel via the third fold line, the first opening at least partially overlaps the second opening, a card product on which information is recorded, wherein the card product is removably attached to the first portion, wherein information on the card product is scannable or viewable through the first and second openings, a second portion foldably connected to the first portion, wherein the second portion displays information about the card product, a first fastener, and a second fastener releasably attached to the first fastener when the first portion and the second portion are in a closed position, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener re-attachably separated from one another when the first portion and the second portion are in an open position.
a shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the system and package, with third panel C folded upon second panel B;
b shows a perspective view of the system and package of
c shows a perspective view of the system and package of
As used herein, card product refers to a card that may be used to transact business with a party willing to accept the card, for example as tender for a purchase or discount for a purchase. As used herein, card product may also refer to a card used for promotional and/or marketing purposes. Examples of such cards include credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, telephone cards, loyalty cards, membership cards, ticket cards, entertainment cards, sports cards, prepaid cards, discount cards, healthcare cards and the like. Typically, such cards are wallet-sized and made of plastic. In various embodiments, the card product may be a type of card such as a gift or prepaid card that requires activation at a point of sale. For example, a card product may be purchased and activated at a point of sale by a consumer and subsequently used by the consumer or another (e.g., the recipient of the card as a gift) to transact business.
Purchase of a card product may involve a card vendor, a redeeming merchant, and a card issuer. In various embodiments, the card vendor, redeeming merchant and card issuer may be the same, different, or related entities. The point of sale where the card is purchased and activated is referred to herein as the card vendor or simply vendor. An entity that will accept the card for business transactions, for example as tender for a purchase, is referred to as a redeeming merchant. An entity that provides the financial backing and/or payment processing accessed via the card product is referred to as the card issuer or simply issuer. Typically, the issuer is identified on the card product and associates a unique issuer account code with each card product. Card issuers may include direct issuers of cards such as store-branded cards, and in some embodiments the card vendor may also be the card issuer and/or the redeeming merchant. Card issuers also may include banks, financial institutions, and transaction processors such as VISA, Mastercard, American Express, etc., and cards issued by such institutions may be readily accepted by a number of redeeming merchants to conduct transactions such as purchases. Card issuers may be in various industries, such as the entertainment, health, medical, pharmaceutical industries. For example, the card issuer may be a pharmaceutical company utilizing cards and packages for pharmaceutical products. In some instances, the redeeming merchant may be identified on the card product (for example, a retailer branded card such as Store X), and such cards may be sold at the same or different card vendor (e.g., card vendor is Store X or a different or unrelated Store Z). In such instances, the Store X branded card product may be issued by Store X, by Store Z, or by a third party such as bank or financial institution.
The disclosed package may be used for display and sale of a card product. The package generally comprises a first portion, a second portion foldably connected to the first portion, and an optional third portion foldably connected to the first portion. The first portion may have three panels, or optionally, four panels. The second portion may have two panels, or optionally, three panels. The third portion may have at least one panel. The first portion may have a folded state where all panels are folded upon one another and an unfolded state where none of the panels are folded upon another. The second portion may have a folded state where all panels are folded upon one another and an unfolded state where none of the panels are folded upon another. The first portion and second portion may have a closed position where the first portion and second portion are folded upon one another, and the first portion and second portion may have an open position where the first portion and second portion are not folded upon one another. The first, second, and optional third portions may display information about the card product, including but not limited to advertising, logos, warnings, disclaimers, agreements, marketing material, product information, guidelines, rules, the like, or combinations thereof.
The first portion 100 is shown in
The second portion 200 of the package 500 and system 1000 may comprise an inner panel E foldably connected to the first portion 100, and an outer panel F foldably connected to a side of the inner panel E opposite the first portion 100. In
The first fastener 14 and second fastener 15 are shown as reattachably separated from one another in
The first panel A may include an opening 20, and the third panel C may include an opening 10. Opening 20 may at least partially overlap opening 10 when the first portion 100 is in the folded state. The card product 400 may have information recorded thereon, and information on the card product 400 may be scannable or viewable through the openings 10 and/or 20 when the first portion 100 is in the folded state. To be in the folded state, third panel C may be folded to overlap the second panel B via second fold line 2 and the first panel A may be folded to overlap the folded third panel C via the first fold line 1.
The card product 400 may be attached to the right-most portion of the first portion 100 of the package 500. In the embodiment of the invention shown in
Third panel C typically may include a “sombrero” 8 or hanger opening through which a peg may extend in order to support the paperboard package, for example, in a retail display. As shown in
The first panel A of the first portion 100 may include tabs 12, bounded in part, by perforated portions of the first panel A. The tabs 12 may extend to an edge of the first panel A opposite of the first fold line 1. Third panel C may include elongated slots 11. The slots 11 may be positioned in a direction perpendicular to the second fold line 2. The slots 11 may overlap one or more of tabs 12.
In an embodiment, the card product 400 may include a barcode 50 and a magnetic portion 40, such as a magnetic strip, and both the barcode 50 and the magnetic portion 40 may include recorded information. The barcode 50 may be scannable through the openings 10 and 20 when the first portion 100 is in the folded state. In an embodiment, the barcode 50 may be scannable through the openings 10 and 20 when the first portion 100 and second portion 200 are in the closed position. In an alternative embodiment, the card product 400 may include an entry code (not shown) and a magnetic portion 40, and the magnetic portion 40 may include recorded information. The entry code may be viewable through the openings 10 and 20 when the first portion 100 is in the folded state; moreover, the entry code may be viewable through the openings 10 and 20 when the first portion 100 and second portion 200 are in the closed position.
In an embodiment, a face of the outer panel F of the second portion 200 may be releasably attached with an adhesive 13 to a face of the inner panel E of the second portion 200 when the second portion 200 is in the folded state. In
Third panel C typically includes two elongated slots 11 through which tabs 12 disposed on first panel A may be tucked when the first portion 100 is in the folded state so as to maintain the first portion 100 in a folded state even after the perforated portions on first panel A are torn away from the majority portion of first panel A. In other words, the first portion 100 may be maintained in a folded state after opening by using tabs 12 on panel D inasmuch as the tabs 12 can be tucked into the elongated slots 11 on third panel C.
In an embodiment, a booklet 70 may be connected to or releasably attached to the first portion 100 or second portion 200. The booklet 70 may comprise a contract, license agreement, instructions, folded terms, marketing materials, advertising materials, or combinations thereof, for example. As shown in
In an embodiment, the outer panel F of the second portion 200 may have a width smaller than a width of the inner panel E of the second portion 200. In an embodiment, fourth panel D of the first portion 100 is shown in
As used herein, “completely folded” refers to when any of the first portion, second portion, and optional third portion are in the folded state; when any combination of the first portion, second portion, and optional third portion are in the folded state; when the first portion, second portion, and optional third portion are in the closed position; or combinations thereof.
In the folded state of the first portion 100 shown in
In the folded state of the second portion 200, outer panel F may fold about inner panel E via fold line 5.
In the closed position, the first portion 100 in the folded state and the second portion 200 in the folded state fold against one another via fold line 4. In
Various decorative or informative designs may be printed on individual panels of the first portion 100, second portion 200, optional third portion 300, or combinations thereof. For example, pricing information or other instructions regarding use of the card product 400 may be displayed on the exterior surface of second panel B. Alternatively, or in addition to a display on second panel B, the exterior face of first panel A may include attractive advertising designs.
The system 1000 and package 500 are designed for display and easy activation of the card product 400. One application of this embodiment includes the containment of secure open loop prepaid cards displayed in a retail environment. In embodiments wherein the card product 400 requires activation, the disclosed system 1000 and package 500 present two methods for accessing the card product 400, i.e. a dual-method access scheme.
A first method for accessing the card product 400 may be via scanning a barcode 50 on the card product 400. The barcode 50 may be accessible through openings 10 and 20. Openings 10 and 20 may be die cut. The openings 10 and 20 may be aligned and oriented in such a way that the card product 400 can be scanned and activated while still securely held inside the package 500. This provides for a fast and easy checkout experience. In an embodiment where the openings 10 and 20 reveal the card product 400 when the portions of the system 1000 and package 500 are in the closed position, the bar code 50 may be scanned without disturbing the completely folded position of the package 500. In an alternative embodiment where unfolding of the portions must occur to reveal the card product 400, a method to access the card product 400 may involve reattachably separating the first fastener 14 and the second fastener 15 by unfolding the first portion 100, second portion 200, and/or optional third portion 300 from the closed position to the open position. In an embodiment where the second portion 200 or optional third portion 300 obstructs any of the openings 10 or 20, an additional step may include unfolding the second portion 200 or optional third portion 300 so that card product 400 is revealed through the first portion 100. In the above-discussed method steps, the portions 100, 200, and optional 300 may remain in the folded state during activation of the card product 400.
A second method of accessing the card product 400 generally may include opening the package 500 from the closed position to the open position. The method to access and activate the card product 400 involves:
The embodiments of the package and system shown herein provide a solution for retail outlets that activate cards by either barcode or magnetic strip, thereby eliminating the need for maintaining an inventory of multiple package types. This embodiment also provides tamper evidence. By keeping the card securely glued to a package's panel up to, and through the process of activation, it is extremely difficult to compromise the package and remove the card without making the removal obvious and evident. Various glues may be used, and the package itself may be made of paper, cardboard, tagboard, plastic, or foil, for example.
In embodiments, a security code may be included on the card product 400. The security code may be used in addition or in lieu of the magnetic strip 40 and barcode 50. The security code may also serve a secondary or dual purpose, such as encoding information useful for purchase and/or activation of the card product. For example, the dual purpose security code may comprise a unique bar code that may be scanned at a point of sale terminal to purchase and/or activate the card product. An example of such a unique bar code is an EAN/UCC-128 bar code, containing both a vendor product identification portion and an issuer account portion. The EAN/UCC-128 bar code may be used to activate the card via a one-step process.
In embodiments wherein the card product 400 requires activation, the disclosed system 1000 and package 500 present multiple methods for activation, i.e. a multi-method activation scheme. Methods for activating the card product 400 may include scanning the barcode 50, swiping the magnetic strip 40 of the card product 400, entering or scanning the security code, or combinations thereof. In embodiments where the method for activating the card product 400 comprises a one-step activation method, the one step comprises simultaneously entering the combination vendor product identification and issuer account code at a point of sale terminal. The one-step process only requires a single entry by a clerk operating the point of sale terminal to activate the card product. For example, the one step may be performed at the point of sale terminal by scanning the bar code 50, for example an EAN/UCC-128 bar code, containing both a vendor product identification portion and an issuer account portion. The vendor product identification portion may be used to perform a look-up to determine product identity and price. The issuer account portion may be used to activate the particular account associated with the card product such that the card may be used to transact business with the issuer of the card. Upon being entered at the point of sale terminal, the issuer account code may be conveyed (for example, via a computer network) to the issuer or other third party processor responsible for looking up the account code (for example, via a database reconciliation) and activating same. In alternative embodiment, the one step may be performed at the point of sale terminal by swiping the magnetic strip 40 containing both a vendor product identification portion and an issuer account portion.
Package assembly embodiments as described herein may be manufactured according to various methods known in the art. For example, card products and packages can be manufactured and printed and subsequently placed in a printed rack hanger, or alternatively the card product and package can be made concurrently, for example via coextrusion of a plastic sheet with subsequent printing and placed in a printed rack hanger. Where made of a plastic or polymer, the type of material may be selected to provide appropriate functional characteristics such as printability, gloss, the ability to snap and break along a perforation, the like, or combinations thereof. In some embodiment, security codes may be applied to prefabricated package assemblies via stickers spanning the card product and the card holder. Alternative methods of making the various embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
One benefit of the above-noted arrangement is that the card product 400 may be scanned via a barcode reader when the first portion 100 is completely folded in the folded state, and the card product 400 may be magnetically scanned as with a magnetic strip reader when the card product 400 is still attached to the first portion 100. Additionally, first portion 100 may be unfolded and refolded to the folded state without removing the card product 400, once the card product 400 is scanned via a magnetic card reader.
In
The second portion 200 may comprise an inner panel E foldably connected to the first portion 100 of the system 3000 and package 3500. The second portion 200 may further comprise an intermediate panel F foldably connected to a side of the inner panel E opposite the first portion 100 via fold line 5, and an outer panel G foldably connected to a side of the intermediate panel F opposite the inner panel E (and the first portion 100) via fold line 6.
The first fastener 14 may be attached to the panel H of the third portion 300, and the second fastener 15 may be attached to the inner panel E of the second portion 200. In embodiments of the disclosed system and package which do not include a third portion, the first fastener 14 may be attached to the first portion 100.
The first portion 100 of package 3500 and system 3000 may fold from the unfolded state to the folded state in the same manner as described for the first portion 100 of the package 500 and system 1000 of
The second portion 200 may fold from the unfolded state to the folded state. In the folded state of the second portion 200 of system 3000 and package 3500, outer panel G may fold about intermediate panel F via fold line 6, intermediate panel F may fold about inner panel E via fold line 5, and inner panel E may fold about first portion 100 via fold line 4. In an embodiment, intermediate panel F may first fold about inner panel E via fold line 5, then outer panel G may fold about intermediate panel F via fold line 6. In another embodiment, outer panel G may first fold about intermediate panel F, and then folded panels F and G may fold about inner panel E via fold line 5.
The third portion 300 shown in
The package 3500 and system 3000 may fold to the closed position when the first portion 100, second portion 200, and third portion 300 are in the folded state. The first portion 100 may be folded into the folded state in the direction of the arrows shown in
Fourth panel D is shown in
To fold first and second portions 100 and 200 of package 5500 of system 5000 to the folded state, and subsequently to the closed position, the panels A, B, C, E, and F may be folded in the direction of the arrows shown in
a-6c show a sequence for folding an embodiment of the disclosed system and package.
a shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the system 6000 and package 6500. The second portion 200 may be connected to the first portion 100 at fold line 1. Fastener 14 may be attached to the first panel A of the first portion 100, and fastener 15 may be attached to the intermediate panel F of the second portion 200. As shown in
b shows a perspective view of the system 6000 and package 6500 of
c shows a side elevational view of the system 6000 and package 6500 of
The fasteners 14 and 15 enable the system 6000 and package 6500 to be opened and closed many times without comprising the integrity thereof. For example, a user (e.g., a customer) may see information displayed on the first and/or second portions 100 and 200 regarding the card product 400, and the user may choose to know more about the card product 400. The user may open the disclosed system 6000 and package 6500 and unfold the panels of the second portion, and view any information on the panels and the optional booklet that may be included in the system 6000 and package 6500. If the user chooses to keep (e.g., purchase) the card product 400 contained in the system 6000, the system 6000 allows two method for access of the card product 400 and at least two methods for activation of the card product 400. The user may choose not to purchase the card product 400, and the first and second portions 100 and 200 of the system 6000 may be folded in the folded state and subsequently to the closed position. The user may then return the system 6000 to a display or person, and the system 6000 may be ready for viewing by another user without experiencing any loss of function or compromised integrity.
The present disclosure also includes a method for display and sale of a card product. In an embodiment, the method may include providing a first portion of a package having the card product removably attached therein, enclosing the card product within the first portion when the first portion is in a folded state, providing a second portion of the package foldably connected to the first portion, releasably attaching a first fastener to a second fastener when the first and second portions are in the closed position, displaying information relating to the card product on the second portion when the first and second portions are in the closed position and in an open position, and revealing at least a portion of the card product through an opening formed in the first portion. The first and second fasteners may be reattachably-separable.
The method may further comprise folding a first panel of the first portion against a second panel of the first portion via a first fold line of the first portion, folding the second panel of the first portion against a third panel via a second fold line of the first portion, folding a fourth panel of the first portion against the third panel via a third fold line of the first portion, and at least partially overlapping the first opening with the second opening to reveal at least a portion of the card product through the first and second openings.
In one embodiment, the method may further comprise folding an inner panel of the second portion against the first portion, wherein the first portion is in the folded state, wherein the first fastener is positioned on the first portion, wherein the second fastener is positioned on the inner panel of the second portion.
In an alternative embodiment, the method may further comprise folding an outer panel of the second portion against an inner panel of the second portion, and folding the outer panel of the second portion against the first portion, wherein the first portion is in the folded state, wherein the first fastener is positioned on the first portion, wherein the second fastener is positioned on the outer panel of the second portion.
In an alternative embodiment, the method may further comprise folding an intermediate panel of the second portion against an inner panel of the second portion so that an outer panel of the second portion extends over the first portion, and folding the intermediate panel of the second portion against the outer panel of the second portion, wherein the first portion is in the folded state, wherein the first fastener is positioned on the first portion, wherein the second fastener is positioned on the intermediate panel of the second portion.
In an alternative embodiment, the method may further comprise folding a third portion against the first portion, wherein the third portion is foldably connected to the first portion, and folding the second portion against the third portion, wherein the first portion is in the folded state, wherein the first fastener is positioned on the third portion, wherein the second fastener is positioned on the second portion.
Although only certain embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiment without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.
While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and teachings of the disclosed embodiments. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only, and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments disclosed herein are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). Use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claim is intended to mean that the subject element is required, or alternatively, is not required. Both alternatives are intended to be within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, having, etc. should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, comprised substantially of, etc.
Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is only limited by the claims which follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated into the specification as an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the claims are a further description and are an addition to the disclosed embodiments. The discussion of a reference in the Description of Related Art is not an admission that it is prior art, especially any reference that may have a publication date after the priority date of this application. The disclosures of all patents, patent applications, and publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent that they provide exemplary, procedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein.
This application claims is a continuation application of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/719,689 filed on Dec. 19, 2012 and entitled “Card Product Package Assembly Having Enhanced Security” which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/718,622 filed Oct. 25, 2012 and entitled “Card Product Package Assembly Having Enhanced Security,” the disclosures of the foregoing are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61718622 | Oct 2012 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13719689 | Dec 2012 | US |
| Child | 14886486 | US |
