Patent Application
20240112173
The present invention relates to a flexible, two-ply strip where the first (or bottom) ply is adapted to adhere to and seal closed a bag, box or other container and the second (or top) ply includes a non-monetized gift card that can be peeled off of the first ply and remotely monetized and activated.
The related art may include two-ply strips, gift cards, and adhesive strips.
Keckeisen et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 7,608,317) discloses printing on an outer (exterior) surface of a multilayer film where one of the film layers comprises a coupon or game piece and the printing may comprise an entitlement such as a cash refund.
Hagen (U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,434) discloses a package reclosure label which is secured by a pressure sensitive adhesive to the package which may include a coupon.
Knoerzer et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 7,686,513) discloses a flexible container with a wall structure comprising a multi-layer, flexible thin film and a removable portion that may be used as a coupon or as a means to permit closure of the bag.
Pedrini (U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,889) discloses a self-adhesive label including a first layer having a permanently self-adhesive side stuck to a packet, and a second layer, having a removable self-adhesive side intended to be stuck to the first layer.
Traineau (FR 2,878,234 B1) discloses a self-adhesive strip utilized to re-close a package once its top has been folded or rolled following first opening. The self-adhesive strip has a back layer that adheres to the package, and a front layer that is attached to the back layer and can be partially detached from it to adhere to the package and hold down the folded or rolled top.
None of this prior art discloses a flexible, two-ply strip where the outer, exterior surface of the first or bottom ply is adapted to keep a package closed and the outer, exterior surface of the second or top ply comprises an unmonetized, remotely monetizable gift card that can be peeled off of the first ply and given as a gift.
The invention is a flexible, two-ply strip where the first ply has an adhesive to keep a bag or other container closed and the second ply comprises a peel-off gift card portion and a media portion. The peel-off gift card portion bears unique barcode data or other unique identification means for remotely loading any monetary value onto the gift card and remotely activating it. The media portion is not peelable and typically bears advertising, branding material and/or instructions.
The first ply of the two-ply strip can be used to seal bags for restaurant take-out or delivery, to close clamshell packages typically used for holding packaged to-go salads and sandwiches, or to apply to any other bag, package, container, box, drink lid or product.
The two-ply strip is dispensed from a roll of two-ply strips where each two-ply strip is attached to an adjacent two-ply strip by a perforation or slit that allows each two-ply strip to be torn off the roll.
The first or bottom ply has opposed interior and exterior surfaces. The exterior surface of the first ply typically has an adhesive that allows the first ply to seal a bag or container or otherwise stick to a solid object. The peelable gift card portion of the second or top ply has opposed interior and exterior surfaces. The media portion of the second or top ply has opposed interior and exterior surfaces. The interior surface of the peelable gift card portion and the interior surface of the media portion are collectively coextensive with, and face, the interior surface of the first or bottom ply.
The interior surface of the peelable gift card portion and the corresponding portion of the interior surface of the first ply are adapted to remain in peelable contact with one another until the peelable gift card portion is peeled away. This peelable contact between the interior surface of the peelable gift card portion and the corresponding portion of the interior surface of the first ply is accomplished by using a peelable or removable adhesive applied to the interior surface of the peelable gift card portion and/or to the corresponding portion of the interior surface of the first ply. This peelable or removable adhesive is a light or clean-release adhesive that may be in the form of a coating, film or layer.
The interior surface of the media portion and the corresponding portion of the interior surface of the first ply are adapted to remain in non-peelable contact with one another. This non-peelable contact between the interior surface of the media portion and the corresponding portion of the interior surface of the first ply is accomplished by using a non-peelable or permanent adhesive applied to the interior surface of the media portion and/or to the corresponding portion of the interior surface of the first ply.
The exterior surface of the first ply may be peelably attached to a backing paper or release liner. This backing paper has a release surface and an exterior surface opposite thereto. This peelable attachment between the release surface and the exterior surface of the first ply is accomplished by using a peelable or removable adhesive applied to the release surface and/or to the exterior surface of the first ply. The perforations that separate each two-ply strip from an adjacent two-ply strip may also extend through and perforate the backing paper.
In addition to the perforations through both plies that attach each two-ply strip to an adjacent two-ply strip and that may extend through the backing paper, the top ply of each two-ply strip has an additional micro perforation or slit that exists only in the top ply. This micro perforation or slit divides the second ply into two portions—a peelable gift card portion and a non-peelable media portion. Each peelable gift card portion bears a human-readable, unique numeric or alpha-numeric character that identifies that particular gift card for purposes of activating it with any dollar amount selected by the end user, a.k.a. receiving customer. Each gift card may also bear a barcode, a QR code, and/or a PIN number underneath scratch-off material. Each activated gift card can be redeemed only at the restaurant or business that issued the gift card or at any participating locations affiliated with the original issuer, such as with a chain restaurant or retailer.
Rolls of the two-ply strip of remote activation gift cards are sold or provided to retail businesses and to third-party processors. Third-party processors, in turn, sell the rolls of two-ply strips of remote activation gift cards to their respective customers.
The gift card has no dollar amount when it is applied by a restaurant or other business to a bag, container or product. The end user or receiving customer who receives a non-monetized gift card can activate it with any dollar amount, subject to the retailer's maximum limit per card, by using the gift card's pre-printed indicia and a smartphone or by going to the website of the entity that will activate it. Activation is typically done via a third-party processor. This activation can also be done remotely via certain retailers' internal process or via an 800 or other toll-free number using a credit card, PayPal, etc. Activation may also be available in person at certain businesses.
When the end user activates the gift card on a website, the end user may also be given the option to activate, or be automatically supplied with, an electronic version of the gift card. This electronic gift card can be redeemed either by printing out a copy and taking it to the restaurant or other business that issued it or, if ordering food or items online, by inputting its code into a promotional/code section when paying for the online order. The gift card can also be effectively transferred or given to someone by an email or text message that discloses the gift card's unique code.
By way of example only, selected embodiments and aspects of the present invention are described below. Each such description refers to a particular figure (“FIG.”) which shows the described matter. All such figures are shown in drawings that accompany this specification. Each such figure includes one or more reference characters that identify one or more part(s), element(s) or component(s) of the invention.
The invention will now be described with reference to the embodiment shown in
As shown in
The peelable gift card portion 40 bears a unique identifier 41 that is used to monetize the particular peelable gift card 40 on which it is applied. This unique identifier 41 may be a human readable numeric or alpha-numeric character or a machine-readable barcode or QR code. The unique identifier 41 may also be a personal identification number or other unique identifier that is obscured from view by a coating of scratch-off material. The peelable gift card 40 may also bear instructions and a website address for monetizing and activating the peelable gift card 40.
Ply Surfaces
As shown in
The media portion 50 has a first (or interior) surface 51 and an opposing second (or exterior) surface 52. The interior surface 51 of the media portion 50 may bear a non-peelable adhesive. The exterior surface 52 of the media portion 50 typically bears graphics, branding material, and/or instructions for monetizing and activating the gift card 40 and/or other information, advertising, marketing or promotional material.
The bottom ply 20 has a first (or exterior) surface 21 and an opposing second (or interior) surface 22. The exterior surface 21 has an adhesive that allows the two-ply, remote activation gift card 10 to be affixed to a bag, box, container or other object.
The portion of the interior surface 22 of the bottom ply 20 that corresponds to, faces and is coextensive with, the interior surface 42 of the peelable gift card 40, is also known as the gift area 23 of the interior surface 22. This gift area 23 of the interior surface 22 is in peelable contact with the interior surface 42 of the peelable gift card 40. This peelability is achieved by the use of a light or clean-release adhesive or other treatment or coating on the gift area 23, or on the interior surface 42 of the peelable gift card 40, or on both the gift area 23 and the interior surface 42.
The portion of the interior surface 22 of the bottom ply 20 that corresponds to, faces and is coextensive with, the interior surface 51 of the media portion 50, is also known as the media area 24 of the interior surface 22. This media area 24 of the interior surface 22 is in non-peelable contact with the interior surface 51 of the media portion 50. This non-peelability is carried out by the use of permanent adhesive on the media area 24, or permanent adhesive on the interior surface 51, or permanent adhesive on both the media area 24 and the interior surface 51.
The backing paper 60 has a release surface 61 and an opposing exterior surface 62. The release surface 61 faces and is coextensive with the exterior surface 21 of the bottom ply 20. The backing paper 60 is in releasable contact with the exterior surface 21. This releasability is carried out by the use of a light or clean-release adhesive on the release surface 61, or a light or clean-release adhesive on the exterior surface 21, or a light or clean-release adhesive on both the release surface 61 and the exterior surface 21. The backing paper 60 may further comprise perforations 32.
Monetization and Activation
The receiving customer (end user) monetizes and activates the peelable gift card 40 by following instructions printed on the peelable gift card 40 and/or the media portion 50 or by going to a website or webpage, the internet address for which is printed on the peelable gift card 40 and/or the media portion 50. The receiving customer would then specify the monetary amount to be applied to the peelable gift card 40 either in person at the retail business that issued the peelable gift card 40, via telephone call with the retail business or third-party processor, or via website or webpage. Once the retail business or third-party processor confirms that it has received the funds for the monetized amount specified for the peelable gift card 40, the end user will be allowed to activate the peelable gift card 40 at their discretion.
The end user may peel the peelable gift card 40 off of the bottom ply 20 so that the peelable gift card 40 may be given to anyone as a gift. Alternatively, the end user may send or provide an electronic version of the peelable gift card 40 to anyone by email, text, link or other electronic means. Any such electronic transfer of the peelable gift card 40 may be done electronically by transferring an image of the peelable gift card 40 with its attendant unique identifier code displayed on the peelable gift card 40 or by transferring only the human-readable numeric or alpha-numeric code that is unique to the peelable gift card 40.
Distribution
Rolls of two-ply remote activation gift cards 10 are manufactured according to the specifications of the retail business identified on the peelable gift card 40 or according to the specifications of a third-party processor that will supply the rolls of two-ply remote activation gift cards 10 to its business customers. Each business then uses the two-ply remote activation gift cards 10 in any manner it chooses. In the restaurant business, the restaurant would typically affix a two-ply remote activation gift card 10 to any bag, box, lidded drink or container used for takeout orders. Any business that sells its goods online could affix a two-ply remote activation gift card 10 to any bag or box in which the items it sells online are shipped.
Rolls of two-ply remote activation gift cards 10 may be made using known methods and technologies in the manufacture of labels.
The invention disclosed herein is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. The disclosed embodiments may be modified or have elements deleted or added while still remaining within the scope of this invention. The invention is described herein by way of example only and is not limited to the disclosed example(s) or embodiment(s). Similarly, the figures are provided as examples of the invention and to aid in understanding the invention and not to act as a limitation on the scope of the invention. Each limitation is expressly defined as not being limited to what is shown in the figures. The embodiments disclosed herein may be modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.
While the foregoing detailed description sets forth a number of embodiments of a remotely activatable gift card in accordance with the present invention, the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed invention.
