SECURE PACKAGE EDGE

Abstract

An improved secure package and method for producing a secure package each provide for the impression, or deformation, of opposing first and second panels regions together to define a plurality of raised impressions. The raised impressions may define at least an edge portion or the entirety of an enclosed region of the package within which items of value may be contained. The plurality of raised impressions yield an edge portion in which the first panel and second panel may not be separated, e.g. in conjunction with fraudulent tampering, without causing readily detectable damage to the edge portion. The arrangement is particularly apt for implementation in a secure transaction card packages in which a transaction card is located within the enclosed region of a package at a point-of-sale location.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to secure packages having an improved edge for reducing undesired tampering. The invention is particularly apt for packaging utilized for point-of-sale (P-O-S) activated transaction cards to reduce incidents of fraud via unintended third-party access to packaged transaction cards prior to purchase.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The sale of debit cards, gift cards, telephone cards and other transaction cards at retail locations is widespread and increasing. Typically, such transaction cards are packaged, distributed and displayed at point-of-sale (P-O-S) locations in an inactive state. In turn, in conjunction with a purchase transaction, a corresponding transaction card is activated at a P-O-S location. Typically, activation entails reading a machine-readable card activation marking on the transaction card and/or packaging therefor, correlating the read data with an account that corresponds with the card, and activating the card for use.

Unfortunately, third-party tampering with transaction cards and packaging therefor has presented continuing design challenges. In one tampering scheme, third-parties obtain proprietary account data from transaction cards at a P-O-S location, which proprietary account data may then be fraudulently employed after purchase and activation of the cards to access account funds corresponding with the transaction cards. By way of primary example, third-parties may gain access to an enclosed card through an edge portion of card packaging that is re-closeable in a manner that renders detection of such tampering problematic.

As may be appreciated, such package tampering problem also exists with a variety of other situations in which an item of value is contained by a package at a P-O-S location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, a primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved secure package and method for secure package production that reduces tampering with contents located in the secure package.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide an improved secure package in a relatively simple to produce manner.

Yet a further objective of the present invention is to provide an improved secure package that is particularly apt for utilization with transaction cards in a secure card package product.

In addressing the above-noted objectives, the present inventor has recognized the desirability of providing a secure package with an enclosed region having at least an edge portion that is defined in a manner so that any attempt to access the enclosed region through such edge portion will visibly alter the package in an unconcealable manner, thereby reducing incidents of tampering and/or purchases of packages that have been tampered with. In this regard, the present inventor has further recognized the desirability of adjoining opposing first and second panels of a package in a manner that realizes the above-noted functionality.

In one approach, an improved secure package comprises a first panel and a second panel disposed in opposing relation to the first panel to define at least a portion of an enclosed region therebetween. Of note, the first panel and second panel may be impressed together to define at least a plurality of raised impressions adjoining the first and second panels along at least an edge portion of the enclosed region. The raised impressions yield an edge portion in which the first panel and second panel may not be separated (e.g., via use of a razor blade or the like) with causing readily discernable and non-concealable damage to the package. The edge portion may extend along one, a plurality of sides, or the entirety of the enclosed region.

In one non-limiting implementation, a transaction card may be disposed within the enclosed region of the package to yield a secure card package product. By way of example, such secure card packages may be displayed for purchase at a point of sale (P-O-S) location, wherein a given transaction card may be activated in conjunction with the purchase of a secure card package at a check-out station within the P-O-S. In such implementations, a card activation field (e.g., a machine-readable marking) may be provided on an outside surface of the package for reading input at a check-out station.

In one aspect, a secure package may be provided in which the plurality of raised impressions may be located to extend along and adjacent to a first peripheral edge portion of the package. Additionally, the package may further include a separable portion for selectively accessing the enclosed region. By way of example, the separable portion may comprise a perforated panel portion or a pull strip panel portion.

In one approach, a plurality of perforations formed in at least one of the first panel and second panel, wherein the plurality of perforations define a separable portion in the at least one first panel and second panel. The separable portion may be provided to be manually manipulatable for separating in the at least one of the first panel and second panel to provide for selective access to the enclosed region, e.g. by a purchaser after purchase at a P-O-S location.

In one embodiment, the plurality of perforations may be formed along and adjacent to a first peripheral edge portion of the package with the plurality of raised impressions located therebetween. In conjunction with such embodiment, the plurality of perforations may include a first plurality of perforations formed in a first panel, and a second plurality of perforations formed in a second panel in opposing, aligned relation to the first plurality of perforations. In this regard, the plurality of raised impressions may define an adjoinment region between the aligned first and second pluralities of perforations and the first peripheral edge portion of the package, wherein the adjoinment region may be selectively removed along the first and second pluralities of perforations to define an edge opening to access the enclosed region. By way of example, a purchaser may simply grasp, or pinch, and pull the adjoinment region with one hand, while anchoring the balance of the package with another hand so as to tear open the packaging.

In another aspect, the first panel and second panel of a package may be integrally connected along a second peripheral edge portion of the package. That is, a single substrate may be folded to define the opposing first and second panels, wherein the folded edge portion defines an edge portion of the enclosed region that is inaccessible without severing the substrate in a readily detectible and non-concealable manner.

In yet another aspect, at least one of the first panel and second panel may have at least one and preferably first and second flaps integrally interconnected thereto, wherein said flap(s) may be folded over within the enclosed region. In turn, the folded flap(s) define(s) a corresponding edge portion(s) of the enclosed region that is inaccessible without severing the substrate in a readily detectible and non-concealable manner.

Such an arrangement is particularly apt for a secure card package comprising a transaction card. In this regard, the transaction card may be disposed in an enclosed region having a first edge portion integrally defined by a fold between a first panel and a second panel, opposing second and third edge portions integrally defined by a first flap and second flap, respectively, each integrally interconnected to one of the first panel and the second panel, and a fourth edge portion defined by said plurality of raised impressions. In that arrangement, the transaction card may be located immediately adjacent to the panel integrally adjoined to the flap(s), wherein the flap(s) may be folded over the transaction card.

In other arrangements, one or more edge portions of an enclosed region of a package, other than the edge portion having raised impressions, may be established by adhesively interconnecting opposing panel portions. For example, an adhesive interconnection may be employed so that the opposing panel portions are not separable without damaging at least one of the panels in a readily discernable manner.

As may be appreciated, an improved method for providing a secure package may include the steps of positioning a first panel and a second panel in opposing relation, and impressing a region of the first panel and a region of the second panel together to define a plurality of raised impressions adjoining the first panel and the second panel along at least a first edge portion of an enclosed region of the package within which an item of value may be disposed. As previously noted, the raised impressions yield an adjoinment region in which the first and second panels are not separable without damaging the panels in a manner that is readily discernable.

In one aspect, the first panel and the second panel may be integrally defined by a single substrate. In turn, positioning of the first panel and the second panel in opposing relation may entail folding the first panel and second panel into face-to-face relation, wherein a second edge portion of the enclosed region (e.g. opposing the first edge portion) may be integrally defined.

In another aspect, a single substrate may integrally define at least a first end flap adjoined to one of the first panel and the second panel, wherein the method may further include pivoting of the first end flap over at least a portion of the adjoined one of the first panel and the second panel, wherein another edge portion of the enclosed region may be integrally defined. Further, the substrate may integrally define a second end flap adjoined to one of the first panel and the second panel, wherein the method may further include the step of pivoting the second flap over at least a portion of the adjoined one of the first panel and second panel, wherein yet another edge portion of the enclosed region may be integrally defined.

In one approach, the impressing step may comprise the sub-steps of locating the first panel region and second panel region between opposing first and second impressing members, and advancing at least one of the first and second impressing members relative to the other so as to deform, or crimp, or emboss, the first panel region and second panel region therebetween to define the plurality of raised impressions. In this regard, the first and second impressing members may include corresponding first and second surfaces, respectively, configured to matingly engage so as to define the plurality of raised impressions therebetween.

In a further aspect, the method may include the step of defining a separable portion of the package employable for selectively accessing the enclosed region. For example, the method may include the step of perforating at least one of the first panel and the second panel to define a plurality of perforations. The plurality of perforations may define a separable portion in one of the first panel or the second panel, wherein the separable portion is manually manipulatable for separating such panel to access the enclosed region.

In one approach, both the first panel and the second panel may be perforated to define a first plurality perforations in the first panel and a second plurality of perforations in the second panel, respectively, wherein the first and second plurality of perforations are located in opposing aligned relation. In turn, the plurality of raised impressions may be located to define an adjoinment region between the aligned first and second plurality perforations and a first peripheral edge portion of the package. Such adjoinment region may be selectively removed by a user (e.g., a purchaser) along the first and second pluralities of perforations to define an edge opening to access the enclosed region. By way of example, a user may grasp the adjoinment region and tear open the package along the first and second plurality of perforations.

As may be appreciated, the method may be readily implemented to provide a secure card package. In this regard, the method may include the further step of locating a transaction card between the first panel and the second panel within the enclosed region. In such an arrangement, a machine-readable marking may be located on an outward-facing surface of one of the first panel and second panel. In turn, the method may include the further step of reading the machine-readable marking at a P-O-S location of said secure card package so as to automatically activate the transaction card upon purchase.

Numerous additional aspects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the further description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one side of one embodiment of a secure package with a portion of a first panel removed to expose a corresponding portion of a second panel, a corresponding portion of an enclosed region, and a corresponding portion of a transaction card located within the enclosed region.

FIG. 2 illustrates another side view of the secure card package embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an end view of an edge portion of the secure card package embodiment of FIG. 1, showing a plurality of raised impressions.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of one of the plurality of raised impressions shown in FIG. 3, as taken along across cut line AA shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a secure card package during a step of construction thereof.

FIG. 6 illustrates the secure card embodiment shown in FIG. 5 during another step of construction thereof.

FIG. 7 illustrates the secure card embodiment of FIG. 5 during yet another step of construction thereof.

FIG. 8 illustrates the secure card embodiment of FIG. 5 during an additional step of construction thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate one embodiment of a secure package 1 that may implement various features of the present invention. The package 1 includes a first panel 10 and a second panel 20 disposed in opposing relation to the first panel 10 so as to define at least a portion of an enclosed region 50 therebetween. For purposes of illustration, a portion of the first panel 10 has been cut away in FIG. 1 to expose a corresponding portion of the second panel 20 and enclosed region 50.

As shown in FIG. 1, in one implementation a transaction card 40 may be disposed within the enclosed region 50 to yield a secure card package. In other implementations, the package 1 may contain items of value other than a transaction card.

In one embodiment, the first panel 10 and second panel 20 may be integrally defined by a single substrate (e.g. paperboard substrate) folded along a side edge portion 2a. As may be appreciated, the integrally defined side edge portion 2a cannot be severed or otherwise opened to access the enclosed region 50 without substantial damage to the package 1 that would be readily detectable.

Adhesive regions 60 may be optionally provided between the first panel 10 and second panel 20 along a top edge portion 3a and bottom edge portion 3b. In certain embodiments, such adhesive regions 60 may employ an adhesive that bonds to the first panel 10 and second panel 20 in a manner that precludes separation without detectable damage to the panels. Optionally, an adhesive region (not shown) may also be provided between the first panel 10 and second panel 20 at locations along a side edge portion 2b.

Side edge portion 2b includes a plurality of raised impressions 30. Such raised impressions 30 may be defined by a corresponding plurality of opposing first panel portions and second panel portions that are impressed, or embossed, or crimped, together. In this regard, each of the raised impressions 30 may be defined to extend outwardly away from a surrounding, adjoined surface region of one of the first panel 10 and second panel 20.

By way of example, in the secure card package 1 shown in FIGS. 1-4, successive, ones of the raised impressions 30 may project away from different one of outside exposed surfaces of the first panel 10 and/or second panel 20. In this regard, reference is made to FIG. 3 which illustrates a side view of a length of the side edge portion 2b of the secure package 1. As shown, impressions 30a extend away from, or are raised, relative to exposed, surrounding surface portions of the first panel 10, and impressions 30b extend away from, or are raised, relative to exposed, surrounding surface portions of the second panel 20. In other embodiments, the raised impressions may project from a common, same side of a package panel.

One example of a raised impression 30a is shown in FIG. 4. As illustrated, opposing regions of the first panel 10 and second panel 20 have been impressed together into mating relation to define the impression 30a. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the impressions 30 are each shown to be of a rounded, or dome-shaped configuration. Numerous other configurations may be impressed as well, including for example, alphabetic characters, numeric characters, logo configurations and any other simple or complex configuration.

The utilization of raised impressions 30 reduces fraudulent tampering risks since any unintended separation of the first panel 10 and second panel 20 along side edge portion 2b will result in a readily detectable tampered package. Stated differently, any attempt to separate the first panel 10 and second panel 20 along the side edge portion 2b will result in a degree of damage to the side edge portion 2b that is readily noticeable by a potential purchaser and/or checkout personnel at a P-O-S location. In turn, any potential purchase and associated fraudulent activity may be averted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first panel may include a separable portion 12 that is manipulable by a user to selectively access the enclosed region 50. By way of example, the separable portion 12 may comprise a perforation line extending across the first panel 10, wherein the separable portion 12 may be manipulated by a user to open the secure card package 1 along the perforation line 12. In other embodiments, the separable portion 12 may be defined by a pull strip panel portion.

In the illustrated embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 2, the second panel 20 may also include a separable portion 22 comprising a perforation line extending across the second panel 20 in opposing relation to the separable portion 12 of the first panel 10. In this regard, a user may simply grasp the side edge portion 2b (e.g. between two fingers of a user) to tear open the secure package 1 along the opposing perforation lines 12 and 22. With reference to FIG. 2, in secure card package implementations a card activation data field 70 may be provided on the secure card package 1. In turn, the card activation data field 70 may be employed for card activation at a P-O-S location. For example, and as shown in FIG. 2, an activation data field 70 in the form of a machine-readable marking (e.g. a bar code or magnetic stripe) may be presented on the outside surface of second panel 20 for automated reading and card activation by check-out personnel at a P-O-S location. In other embodiments, the card activation data field 20 may be provided on the outside surface of first panel 10.

In yet other embodiments, the card activation data field 70 may be located within a concealed region of the package 1. In this regard, numerous approaches may be utilized for defining a selectively accessible concealed region for access at the time of purchase and card activation at a P-O-S location.

One or more human readable marking(s) may be provided on the secure card package 1 to alert purchasers and/or sales personnel that the enclosed region 50 should not have been accessed prior to sale. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a human readable notice 80 may be provided on an outside surface on first panel 10 and/or second panel 20 (e.g., “DO NOT COMPLETE TRANSACTION IF PACKAGE PREVIOUSLY OPENED”). Alternatively or additionally, a human readable notice marking may be provided on an inside surface of first panel 10 and/or second panel 20.

Numerous additional features may be included in the secure card package 10. For example, an aperture 90 may be provided through the first panel 10 and second panel 20 to facilitate removable placement on display a hook or hanger at a point of sale location. Additional optional features may include foil stamping and various printing features that make the secure card package 1 more attractive to prospective purchasers.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5-8 which illustrate another embodiment of a secure package 100. The secure package 100 includes a first panel 110, a second panel 120 and one or more flap portions 124a, 124b. In the approach illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, the first panel 110, second panel 120 and flap portions 124a, 124b may be integrally defined by a single substrate (e.g., a paperboard substrate) configured and foldable to yield a finished secure package 100, as shown in FIG. 8.

In this regard, a single substrate may be initially cut into a configuration such as that shown in FIG. 5. Optionally, cutout regions 118 and 128 may be defined in the first panel 110 and second panel 120, respectively, and in a first flap portion 124a. In turn, an aperture 190 may be defined for display hook placement upon folded construction of the secure card package 100 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

As may be appreciated, the secure package 100 is particularly apt for containing a transaction card 140 therewithin, as shown in FIG. 6. In such a secure card package arrangement, and as shown in FIG. 5, an optional raised panel portion 126 may be optionally defined in the second panel 120 for at least partial nested receipt of a transaction card 140 therewithin. In this regard, the transaction card 140 may be selectively disposed in face-to-face relation to the second panel 120. Optionally, adhesive regions 162 may be provided on the second panel 120 for detachably securing the transaction card 140 to the second panel 120.

As shown in FIG. 6, flap portions 124a and 124b may be folded over portions of the transaction card 140 along corresponding, integrally-defined, top and bottom edge portions 103a and 103b, respectively, to yield the configuration shown in FIG. 6. As may be appreciated, by virtue of utilizing a single substrate that is folded in the described manner, access to the transaction card 140 along the top and bottom edge portions 103a and 103b is restricted by virtue of the presence of folded tab portions 124a and 124b, respectively.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7 and 8 which illustrates the secure card package 100 after the first panel 110 has been folded along integrally-defined side edge portion 102a into opposing relation with the second panel 120, with flap portions 124a and 124b interposed therebetween. In this regard, and as illustrated in FIG. 6, optional adhesive regions 160 may be provided on flap portions 124a and 124b for detachable interconnection of the first panel 110 to the second panel 120.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, the first panel 110 and second panel 120 of the secure card package 100 may include separation portions 112 and 122. For example, the first panel 110 and 120 may be perforated along perforation lines 112 and 122, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 8 a plurality of raised impressions 130 have been defined along side edge portion 102b in opposing relation to integrally-defined side edge portion 102a. As may be appreciated, an adjoinment portion 200 defined by impressions 130 may be grasped and pulled by a user to separate the first panel 110 and second panel 120 along perforation lines 112 and 122 to access transaction card 140 after purchase.

As further shown in FIG. 8, a machine-readable marking 170 may be provided for selective card activation at the time of purchase at a P-O-S location. The marking 170 may comprise a magnetic stripe as shown, or alternatively a barcode. In other embodiments, a human-readable activation data field may be employed.

The embodiment descriptions provide hereinabove are for purposes of illustration. various additional embodiments and extensions of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to be within the scope of the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A secure package, comprising: a first panel; and,a second panel disposed in opposing relation to said first panel, wherein said first panel and second panel define at least a portion of an enclosed region therebetween, and wherein said first panel and said second panel are impressed together to define a plurality of raised impressions adjoining said first and second panel along at least an edge portion of the enclosed region.

2. A secure package as recited in claim 1, wherein separation of said first and second panels along said plurality of raised impression to access said transaction card visibly alters at least one of the first and second panels.

3. A secure package as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of raised impressions extend along and adjacent to at least a first peripheral edge portion of said package.

4. A secure package as recited in claim 3, wherein said plurality of raised impressions extend along and adjacent to a plurality of peripheral edge portions of said package.

5. A secure package as recited in claim 3, wherein said plurality of raised impressions extend along and adjacent to an entire periphery of said package.

6. A secure package as recited in claim 3, further comprising: a separable portion for selectively accessing said enclosed region.

7. A secure package as recited in claim 6, wherein said separable portion includes at least one of: a perforated panel portion; anda pull strip panel portion.

8. A secure package as recited in claim 7, wherein said separable portion comprises: a plurality of perforations formed in at least one of said first panel and said second panel, wherein said plurality of perforations define a separable portion in said at least one of the first panel and the second panel, and wherein said separable portion is manually manipulatable for separating said at least one of said first panel and said second panel to provide selective access to said enclosed region.

9. A secure package as recited in claim 8, wherein said plurality of perforations extend along and adjacent to said first peripheral edge portion with said plurality of raised impressions therebetween.

10. A secure package as recited in claim 8, wherein said plurality of perforations comprise: a first plurality of perforations formed in said first panel; and,a second plurality of perforations formed in said second panel in opposing aligned relation to said first plurality of perforations, wherein said plurality of raised impressions define an adjoinment region between said aligned first and second pluralities of perforations and said first peripheral edge portion of said package, and wherein said adjoinment region is selectively removable along said first and second pluralities of perforations to define an edge opening to access said enclosed region.

11. A secure package as recited in claim 3, further comprising: an adhesive disposed between and interconnecting peripheral edge regions of said first and second panels.

12. A secure package as recited in claim 3, wherein said first and second panels are integrally interconnected along a second peripheral edge portion.

13. A secure package as recited in claim 12, wherein an adhesive is disposed between said first and second panels along at least some of said plurality of raised impressions.

14. A secure package as recited in claim 12, wherein said first peripheral edge portion and said second peripheral edge portion are disposed in substantially parallel relation.

15. A secure package as recited in claim 14, further comprising: at least a first flap integrally interconnected to one of said first panel and said second panel along a first end region thereof and folded over at least a portion of said transaction card within said enclosed region.

16. A secure package as recited in claim 15, further comprising: a second flap integrally interconnected to said one of the first panel and the second panel along a second end region thereof and folded over at least a portion of the transaction card within said enclosed region.

17. A secure package as recited in claim 16, further comprising: an adhesive region disposed between and interconnecting said transaction card to said one of the first panel and the second panel.

18. A secure package as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of raised impressions comprises: a first plurality of impressions projecting from a first side of the secure card package.

19. A secure package as recited in claim 18, wherein said plurality of raised impressions further comprises: a second plurality of impressions projecting from a second side of the secure package.

20. A transaction card package as recited in claim 19, wherein said first plurality of impressions and said second plurality of impressions are disposed in alternating offset relation to one another.

21. A transaction card package as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a transaction card disposed within said enclosed region.

22. A secure package as recited in claim 21, further comprising: a machine-readable marking disposed on an outside surface of one of the first panel and the second panel, said machine-readable marking being readable for activation in conjunction with a sale of the secure card package at a point-of-sale location.

23. A secure package as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of raised impressions are arranged in a predetermined pattern.

24. A secure package as recited in claim 23, wherein each of said plurality of raised impressions is one of a plurality predetermined configurations selected from a group comprising: geometric configurations;alphabetic configuration; and,numeric configuration.

25-37. (canceled)