Patent Application
20100044419
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to transaction cards and, more particularly, to providing a transaction card on a carrier card which includes a removable envelope into which the transaction card may be placed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Monetary transaction cards such as pre-paid cards, e.g., gift cards, are often attached to card carriers which enable the pre-paid cards to be displayed. The pre-paid cards are typically attached to a front surface of a card carrier. The card carriers may include openings which enable the card carriers and, hence, the pre-paid cards to be displayed on a pegged display rack at a retail establishment.
People often give monetary transaction cards as gifts. That is, a person may purchase a monetary transaction card to present to another person to as a gift. When a person presents a monetary transaction card as a gift, he or she may present the monetary transaction card mounted on a card carrier.
Gifting a monetary transaction card mounted on a card carrier may be considered to be inelegant by some. Those who consider presenting a recipient with a transaction card mounted on a card carrier to be inelegant may remove the transaction card from the card carrier, and place the transaction card in a gift box or in a greeting card. However, obtaining a gift box or a greeting card may be inconvenient. That is, effectively wrapping a transaction card may be inconvenient.
Some monetary transaction cards are sold in packages which are ready for gifting. Such packages, in general, are formed as greeting cards or folders in which monetary transaction cards are secured inside. In such packages, the monetary transaction cards are not visible until flaps on the greeting cards or folders are opened. While such packages facilitate the giving of monetary transaction cards as gifts, they make it difficult for a purchaser to see what he or she is purchasing, as the monetary transaction cards are obscured within the packages.
Therefore, what is desired is a method and an apparatus which allows for a transaction card which is mounted on a surface of a card carrier to be readily presented as a gift. That is, what is needed is an arrangement which enables a gift giver to efficiently obtain and wrap a transaction card such that the transaction card may be presented as a gift, while the arrangement maintains a substantially standard footprint as a standard card carrier.
The present invention pertains to carrier cards, including carrier cards with detachable envelopes as well as methods for forming such carrier cards. The present invention may be implemented in numerous ways, including, but not limited to, as a method, system, device, or apparatus. Example embodiments of the present invention are discussed below.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a carrier card arrangement that is suitable for carrying a transaction card includes a carrier portion and an envelope portion that is integrally formed with an edge of the carrier portion. The edge of the carrier portion is at least partially defined by at least one perforation. The carrier portion includes a first surface that is on an opposite side of the carrier portion from a second surface. The envelope portion has a third surface that at least partially abuts the second surface, and is sized to accommodate the transaction card.
In one embodiment, the envelope portion is arranged to be detached from the carrier portion at the at least one perforation. In another embodiment, the carrier card arrangement is formed from a single sheet of paper stock.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a card package includes a carrier card arrangement and a transaction card. The carrier card arrangement has a carrier card and an envelope. The carrier card has a front surface. The envelope and the carrier card are integrally formed and share an edge that has at least one perforation. The transaction card is mounted at least partially on the front surface of the carrier card.
In one embodiment, the card package also includes at least one adhesive element that secures the envelope against the back surface. In another embodiment, the transaction card includes an activation element and the carrier card includes a first opening. In such an embodiment, the activation element is accessible through the first opening.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a carrier card arrangement includes obtaining a single sheet of material, defining a carrier card portion on the single sheet of material, and defining an envelope portion on the single sheet of material. The carrier card portion and the envelope portion share a common perforated edge. The method also includes manipulating the single sheet of material to create a carrier from the carrier card portion and an envelope from the envelope portion.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
The invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Example embodiments of the present invention are discussed below with reference to the various figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes, as the invention extends beyond these embodiments.
Providing an envelope with a card package that includes a transaction card allows a purchaser of the card package to relatively efficiently “wrap” the transaction card in the envelope such that the transaction card may be presented as a gift. Typically, a card package includes a transaction card and a carrier card assembly which has a carrier card portion and an envelope portion.
A card package that includes a transaction card, e.g., a gift card, a carrier card, and an envelope is arranged such that the transaction card is visible when mounted on the carrier card. The envelope is generally coupled to the carrier card along a perforated edge or border such that the envelope may be readily detached from, or otherwise separated from, the carrier card.
In one embodiment, activation information that enables the transaction card to be activated may be visible when the transaction card is mounted on the carrier card. The activation information may be embodied as an activation element including, but not limited to including, a bar code, a magnetic stripe, and/or an activation code that is accessible when the transaction card is mounted on a carrier card. The accessibility of activation information allows the transaction card to be activated while mounted on the carrier card. Hence, at a point of sale of a card package, a purchaser may purchase a transaction card and an envelope in one package, while a seller may activate the transaction card, e.g., by scanning the activation element of the transaction card, without removing the transaction card from the package.
Referring initially to
Opening 120, which is optional, is defined within carrier card 106 to enable carrier card arrangement 104 to be hung on dowels or other support apparatus for display purposes, e.g., such that carrier card arrangement 104 may be displayed in a retail establishment. Opening 120 may generally take substantially any suitable shape, such as a “sombrero” shape as shown, a circular shape, or an ovular shape.
An envelope 112, as shown in
Perforations in perforated edge 124 are generally relatively long, as shown. Although perforations in perforated edge 124 may generally be of any length, perforations that are relatively long substantially minimize the notches that are typically left on envelope 112 when envelope 112 is detached from carrier card 106. In one embodiment, such notches are effectively hidden by folds of envelope 112. The length of perforations in perforated edge 124 may vary widely. As such, the number of perforations in perforated edge 124 may also vary widely. By way of example, perforated edge 124 may include approximately four or five relatively long perforations.
With reference to
Transaction card 208 may be inserted into an opening 218 that effectively forms a first side of envelope 212. As shown in
In general, envelope 212 is formed such that one side includes an opening 218, while other sides are substantially closed. The side substantially opposite from the side with opening 218, as shown in
Envelope 212 may be decorated, e.g., surfaces of envelope 212 may be printed. In one embodiment, at least one surface of envelope 212 may be printed with the words “To” and “From” such that the names of a giver and a receiver, respectively, may be filled in. Envelope 212 may also be decorated with various messages including, but not limited to including, “Happy Birthday,” “Seasons Greetings,” “Thank you,” “Congratulations,” and the like.
Typically, a carrier card arrangement is formed from a single piece of material that is folded and glued together to define a carrier card and an envelope. The material from which a carrier card arrangement is formed may vary widely. By way of example, a carrier card arrangement may be formed from a paper material such as McCoy 120# silk cover paper stock. It should be appreciated, however, the carrier card is not limited to being formed from a paper material.
Portions 312a-d are arranged to form an envelope when arrangement 304 is folded into a carrier card with an attached envelope. Perforations 324, e.g., cuts in arrangement 304, are arranged to delineate a border between portions 312a-d which are associated with envelope and a carrier card. In addition, perforations 324 are arranged to allow a formed envelope to be detached from the carrier card.
When the envelope is formed, folds are made along lines 336 which at least partially define portions 312a-d. Tabs 312c, 312d are adhered, e.g., glued, to portion 312b to define the envelope when folds are made along lines 336. Though tabs 312c, 312d are typically adhered such that tabs 312c, 312d are effectively inside of a formed envelope, tabs 312c, 312d may instead be adhered such that tables 312c, 312d are on the outside of a formed envelope.
An overall card package may be formed using carrier card arrangement 304 when a transaction card (not shown) is secured to folded carrier card arrangement 304, or a carrier card arrangement 304 that has effectively been assembled such that an envelope and a carrier card are substantially defined.
In step 407, the unfolded carrier card arrangement is printed. Printing the unfolded carrier card arrangement may include printing, or screening, text, graphics, and the like onto surfaces of the carrier card arrangement. By way of example, an envelope portion may be printed with a “To” and a “From” area, a front surface of the carrier card may be printed with an value of a transaction card, and a back surface of the carrier card may be printed with instructions on how to detach the envelope from the carrier card.
The carrier card arrangement is folded, and adhesive is applied as appropriate to the carrier card arrangement, in step 409. The carrier card arrangement is folded such that a carrier card and an envelope are defined. Adhesive may be applied along tabs that are used to create the envelope, e.g., tab 312c and tab 312d of
After the carrier card arrangement is folded and the envelope is defined, adhesive is applied in step 413 such that a body of the envelope is effectively secured against the carrier card. The adhesive may be applied to at least one predetermined location on the surface of the carrier card. It should be appreciated that applying adhesive substantially between a surface of the envelope and a surface of the carrier card such that the envelope is substantially secured against the carrier card is optional. By way of example, a surface of the envelope may be in contact with, or essentially rest against, a back of the carrier card without an adhesive holding the surface of the envelope to the back of the carrier card.
The transaction card is attached to the carrier card arrangement in step 417. Typically, the transaction card is attached to a front surface of the carrier card arrangement, or not on the same surface to which the envelope is secured. In one embodiment, adhesive may be used to attach the transaction card to the carrier card arrangement. Once the transaction card is attached to the carrier card arrangement, the method of forming a card package is completed.
A purchaser may purchase or otherwise obtain a card package which includes a transaction card and an envelope. Upon obtaining the card package, the purchaser may elect to detach the transaction card and the envelope, and to place the transaction card in the envelope.
The purchaser may detach envelope 512 from carrier card 506, e.g., by separating envelope 512 from carrier card 506 at a perforated edge (not shown). Instructions which instruct the purchaser on how to separate envelope 512 from carrier card 506 may be printed or otherwise provided on carrier card 506, e.g., on the surface of carrier card 506 that has the perforated edge (not shown). The purchaser may also detach transaction card 508 from carrier card 506. After the purchaser detaches, or otherwise separates, envelope 516 and transaction card 508 from carrier card 506, the purchaser may place transaction card 508 inside envelope 512. By way of example, as mentioned above, if the purchaser wishes to present transaction card 508 to someone as a gift, he or she may wish to place transaction card 508 inside envelope 512 as a way or presenting transaction card 508 as a gift.
Once the card package is obtained, the envelope is detached from the carrier card in step 609. In general, the envelope is coupled to the carrier card at a perforated edge or seam. As such, detaching the envelope from the carrier card typically includes separating the envelope from the carrier card at the perforated edge. After the envelope is detached from the carrier card, the transaction card is then detached from the carrier card in step 613. It should be appreciated that although the envelope is described as being detached before the transaction card, the transaction card may instead be detached before the envelope. In one embodiment, instructions on how to detach the envelope from the carrier card may be printed on, or otherwise provided on, the carrier card.
When both the envelope and the transaction card are effectively separated from the carrier card, the transaction card is placed in the envelope in step 617. Placing the transaction card in the envelope may include sliding the transaction card into the envelope through an opening in the envelope. After the transaction card is placed in the envelope, the transaction card is effectively wrapped and, hence, ready to be presented as a gift. The process of using a card package is completed once the transaction card is placed in the envelope.
A carrier card arrangement that includes a carrier card to which an envelope is integrally, but detachably, formed has been described above as including perforations on a long edge of the envelope. It should be appreciated that an envelope may instead be integrally formed to a carrier card such that perforations which allow the envelope to be detached from the carrier card are located on a short edge of the envelope. With reference to
Envelope 712 is coupled to carrier card 706 at a perforated edge 724. Perforated edge 714 includes perforations arranged to enable envelope 712 to effectively be detached from, e.g., torn off of, carrier card 706. Perforated edge 714 is substantially parallel to a side edge of carrier card 706. While perforations in perforated edge 714 are shown as being relatively long, it should be appreciated that the perforations may instead be relatively short. More generally, perforations in perforated edge 714 may be of substantially any size.
An amount of adhesive, e.g., at least one spot or drop of adhesive, may be applied between a back surface of carrier card 706 and an opposing surface of envelope 712 to hold envelope against the back surface of carrier card 706. The back surface of carrier card 706, in one embodiment, is the opposite side from the side on which a transaction card (not shown) is mounted, and the opposing surface of envelope 712 is the surface of envelope which contacts the back surface of carrier card 706.
Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention. By way of example, an envelope has generally been described as being attached to a carrier card such that a long edge of the envelope is substantially parallel to a top edge of the carrier card. However, a long edge of an envelope may instead be substantially parallel to a side edge of the carrier card. In other words, the orientation of an envelope relative to a carrier card to which the envelope is attached may vary.
Additionally, the size of a carrier card may vary. In general, a carrier card has a width of at least approximately four inches and a height of at least approximately 5.25 inches. For instance, if a long edge of an envelope is substantially parallel to a side edge of a carrier card, then a carrier card may have a height that is larger than 5.25 inches such that the envelope does not obscure any openings in the carrier card. In some instances, a carrier card may also be smaller than approximately four inches and a height of less than approximately 5.25 inches.
Transaction cards are often monetary transaction cards. Monetary transaction cards generally include smart cards, credit cards, debit cards, automatic teller machine (ATM) cards, identification (ID) cards, and pre-paid cards such as gift cards. Typically, monetary transaction cards are of a standard credit card size, or the size of a CR-80 card. It should be appreciated, however, the transaction cards are not limited to being monetary transaction cards. In general, a transaction card may be any card that allows its holder to participate in a transaction whether the transaction includes monetary value or not.
In one embodiment, a card package may be placed in a case, e.g., a clamshell case, which is arranged to substantially contain the entire package. For instance, a card package may be placed in a case for protective and/or security purposes.
The use of adhesive at a number of predetermined locations on a carrier card arrangement has been described as allowing an envelope to be formed and substantially securing the envelope against a carrier card. Adhesive has also been described as being suitable for mounting or otherwise securing a transaction card to a surface of a carrier card. The adhesive used to substantially secure an envelope against a carrier card, and the adhesive used to mount a transaction card to the carrier card, may be a fugitive glue that is arranged to enable the envelope and the transaction card to be secured against the carrier card, but still be relatively easily removed.
The adhesive used to form the envelope, i.e., the adhesive used to glue the tabs of the envelope to the inside surfaces of the envelope, is generally relatively strong. Unlike the fugitive glue that allows the envelope and a transaction card to be removably held against a carrier card, the adhesive used to form the envelope is not generally intended to allow the envelope to be deconstructed. As such, the adhesive used to form the envelope is typically not the same as the adhesive that allows the envelope and a transaction card to be removably held against a carrier card.
In general, methods which do not include the use of adhesive may be used to form an envelope, secure the envelope against a carrier card, and/or secure a transaction card to the carrier card. For example, an envelope may be formed by tucking appropriate tabs into slits such that the envelope is effectively constructed without adhesive. Additionally, a transaction card may be secured to a carrier card by inserting the transaction card in slits or cuts that are made in the carrier card.
While one envelope has generally been described as being formed as a part of a carrier card arrangement, it should be appreciated that more than one envelope may be formed. More than one envelope may be formed as a part of a carrier card arrangement. By way of example, if more than one transaction card is to be included as part of a card package, then a carrier card arrangement may include more than one envelope such that each transaction card effectively has a corresponding envelope.
The operations associated with the various methods of the present invention may vary widely. By way of example, steps may be added, removed, altered, combined, and reordered without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention.
The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the written description. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention should not be limited to the exact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of the invention.
