Patent Grant
8523078
Gift cards, coupons and lottery tickets have used scratch-off regions to conceal amounts, codes or symbols. A user scratches the scratch-off regions to remove a scratch-off surface so as to reveal the amount, code or symbol. Users use various techniques to scratch off such scratch-off surfaces. For example, a fingernail, a coin, scissors, or any other similar object can be used to scratch off the scratch-off surfaces. One difficulty is that different users tend to use different objects as well as techniques (e.g., angle, direction and pressure) to perform the scratch off. Another difficulty is that the characteristics of scratch-off regions are not consistent across different usages (e.g., gift cards, coupons, lottery tickets) or across different manufacturers. As a result, each user's experience with scratching off surfaces tends to be different and unique.
This inconsistency in design and variation in user techniques can lead to user frustration, such as when a user accidentally scratches and/or removes the concealed information while attempting to merely remove the scratch-off surface. In other words, users can mistakenly scratch even through the concealed information under the scratch-off surfaces, thereby losing the ability to access the concealed information. Additionally, scratching off a scratch-off surface produces undesired debris.
A dual scratch and peel label provides a user with the option of scratching off the label to reveal concealed information concealed using the dual scratch and peel label or the option of peeling off the label to reveal the concealed information. Users may desire to peel the label for efficiency and to not produce any waste that results from scratching off one or more scratch-off layers on the label.
In one embodiment, a card may have a card substrate having at least a surface, the surface including at least predetermined information to be concealed provided thereon, and a dual scratch and peel label provided on the card substrate over the predetermined information, the dual scratch and peel label including at least: (i) a first base film adhered to the card substrate over the at predetermined information; (ii) a second base film releasably adhered over the first base film; and (iii) a scratch-off surface applied over the second base film, the scratch-off surface being configured to conceal the predetermined information provided on the card substrate.
In another embodiment, a card, may have a card substrate having at least an account activation section, the account activation section including at least one redemption code provided thereon, and a dual scratch and peel label provided on the card substrate over the at least one redemption code, the dual scratch and peel label including at least: (i) a first base film adhered to the card substrate over the at least one redemption code; (ii) a second base film releasably adhered over the first base film; and (iii) a scratch-off surface applied over the second base film, the scratch-off surface being configured to conceal the at least one redemption code provided on the card substrate.
In another embodiment, a transaction card having an account activation section, wherein the account activation section includes at least one redemption code provided thereon, the transaction card may have a first base film adhered over the at least one redemption code, a second base film removably adhered over the first base film using a release liner, a first scratch-off layer applied to a top surface of the second base film, the first scratch-off layer configured to conceal the at least one redemption code provided on the transaction card, and a second scratch-off layer provided above the first scratch-off layer, wherein the at least one redemption code is viewable when either (i) the first and second scratch-off layers are substantially removed, or (ii) the second base film having the first and second scratch-off layers provided thereon is substantially removed from the first base film.
In one embodiment, a method for creating a dual scratch and peel label, may comprise removably adhering a second base film over a first base film using a releasable adhesive, applying a first scratch-off layer to a top surface of the second base film, the first scratch-off layer configured to conceal protected information provided on a substrate, affixing a second scratch-off layer over the first scratch-off layer, and permitting access to the protected information through removal of the second base film to reveal the protected information, or through substantial removal by way of scratch-off of the first and second scratch-off layers.
In another embodiment, a method for creating a dual scratch and peel label, may comprise removably adhering a second base film over a first base film using a releasable adhesive, applying a first scratch-off layer to a top surface of the second base film, the first scratch-off layer configured to conceal protected information provided on a substrate, affixing a second scratch-off layer over the first scratch-off layer, and permitting access to the protected information through removal of the second base film to reveal the protected information, or through substantial removal by way of scratch-off of the first and second scratch-off layers.
The present invention provides other hardware configured to perform the methods of the invention, as well as software stored in a machine-readable medium (e.g., a tangible storage medium) to control devices to perform these methods. These and other features will be presented in more detail in the following detailed description of the invention and the associated figures.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more example embodiments and, together with the description of example embodiments, serve to explain the principles and implementations.
In the drawings:
Embodiments are described herein in the context of a dual scratch and peel label. The following detailed description is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same or like parts.
A dual scratch and peel label provides a user with the option of scratching off portions of the dual scratch and peel label to reveal information concealed by the dual scratch and peel label, or the user has the option of peeling off the dual scratch and peel label to reveal the information being concealed. Some user may desire to scratch off portions of the dual scratch and peel label to reveal the concealed information. Other users may desire to peel off the dual scratch and peel label to reveal the concealed information which can be more efficiently accessed without produce debris that otherwise results from scratching off portions of one ore more scratch-off layers of the dual scratch and peel label.
The transaction card 100 may also have an account activation section 110. As illustrated in
In another embodiment, account activation section 110 may include a magnetic stripe (not shown) in lieu of a bar code. In general, account activation section 110 may also include both a magnetic stripe and a bar code. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, magnetic stripe effectively contains information that allows data stored remotely to be accessed by swiping magnetic stripe past a card-reader head. A card reader head may be part of a point-of-sale device.
Additionally, as illustrated in
Data, such as the company indicia 102, terms and conditions 106, download instructions 104, information to be concealed (i.e. redemption code 108), and information in the account activation section 110 may be printed on the transaction card 100 via any known printing methods such as with direct on demand, inkjet printer, thermal printing, and the like. Although illustrated with specific data, this is not intended to be limiting as any other data, text, or indicia may be presented on the transaction card 100. For example, the price of the card, a playlist of digital files, and the like may be displayed on the transaction card 100. In another example, the company may not display its indicia on the transaction card 100.
Each dual scratch and peel label 130 may have a removable feature 126 to assist with the removal of the dual scratch and peel label 130. The removable feature 126 may be any feature to assist in the removal or peel-off of dual scratch and peel label 130. The removable feature 126 may be, for example, a tab or any other similar feature where a user can remove the dual scratch and peel label 130 with one's fingernail, finger, or any other object. Other removable features are discussed with reference to
Lottery ticket 120 may have an account activation section 126. Similar to the account activation section 110 discussed above in
In another embodiment, account activation section 126 may include a magnetic stripe in lieu of a bar code. In general, account activation section 126 may also include both a magnetic stripe and a bar code. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, magnetic stripe effectively contains information that allows data stored remotely to be accessed by swiping magnetic stripe past a card-reader head. A card reader head may be part of a point-of-sale device.
The first base film 202 may be any desired thickness. In one embodiment, the first base film 202 has a thickness between about 0.1 millimeters-1 millimeter. In another embodiment, the first base film 202 has a thickness between about 0.5 millimeters-2 millimeters.
The first base film 202 may have a plurality of security features 240, such as security slits. The security features 240 prevents a user from removing the dual scratch and peel label 230 to steal the concealed information. In other words, the security features 240 prevents a user from stealing the redemption code 204 to redeem when a purchaser purchases and activates the transaction card 200. In one example, the security features 240 are a plurality of slits or indents formed in the first base film 202 such that the first base film 202 cannot be removed in its entirety. An attempted removal of the first base film 202 will result in only partial remove of the first base film 202. Thus, since only portions of the first base film 202 can be removed at a time, this informs a potential purchaser that the transaction card 200 has been tampered with.
A second base film 214 may be removably adhered over the first base film using a release liner or a one-time adhesive as illustrated in
One example of a release liner may include a dry release adhesive wherein essentially no adhesive remains on the second base film 214 or the first base film 202. In another example, the release liner or one-time adhesive may be an evaporative adhesive in which some of the adhesive might be present on the second base film 214 but quickly evaporates upon exposure to the air. When the release liner or one-time adhesive is comprised of an evaporated adhesive, it is somewhat liquid in form when applied, yet cannot evaporate or sublime because it is sealed between the first base film 202 and the second base film 214. Until second base film 214 is removed and exposes that portion of the one-time adhesive, the adhesive can then evaporate or sublime.
As illustrated, in one embodiment, the second base film 214 may have an area smaller than the area of the first base film 202. Yet, the second base film 214 may also substantially cover the redemption code 204. In other words, the second base film 214 may have a height and width smaller than a height and width of the first base film 202. In another embodiment, the second base film 214 may have substantially the same area as the first base film 202. In other words, the second base film 214 may have substantially the same height and width as the first base film 202. The second base film 214 may be any desired thickness. In one embodiment, the second base film 214 has a thickness between about 0.1 millimeters-1 millimeter. In another embodiment, the second base film 214 has a thickness between about 0.5 millimeters-1.5 millimeters.
Similar to the first base film 202, the second base film 214 may be any clear, transparent film so that the redemption code 204 may be visible through the first base film 202 and second base film 214. In one example, the second base film 214 may be any type of clear styrene film or other clear polymer film material. In another example, the second base film 214 may also be formed as polyester, paper, nylon, polypropylene, or any other similar materials.
A first scratch-off layer 216 may be applied to the second base film 214 as illustrated in
A second scratch-off layer 218 may be applied to the first scratch-off layer 216 as illustrated in
As illustrated in
A protective film 222 may be affixed or adhered over the dual scratch and peel label 230 as illustrated in
In another embodiment, the removable feature 302 may be formed separate from the second base film 300 and affixed or adhered to the second base film 300 using any known adhesive. Additionally, the removable feature 302 may be any desired shape such as a square, triangle, semi-circle, oval, and the like.
The depth of the recess 306 may vary widely. The depth of the recess 306 may be configured to receive a finger, fingernail, or any other object to allow the user to easily grab a portion of the second base film to lift or peel the second base film from the first base film. In one embodiment, the depth of the recess 306 may be greater than the thickness of the transaction card 304. In another embodiment, the depth of the recess 306 may be smaller than the thickness of the transaction card 304. In still another embodiment, the depth of the recess 306 may be substantially equal to the thickness of the transaction card 304. In most cases, the depth is typically configured to allow for the ease in peeling or lifting of the second base film from the first base film. Moreover, the recess 306 may be located proximate to the second base film and/or the redemption code 308.
Referring now to
A removable feature 414 may be used to assist with the removal of the dual scratch and peel label 402. As illustrated, removable feature 414 may be a tab coupled to the second base film 408. In use, a user may use a finger, fingernail, or any other object to lift the tab and peel or lift the second base film 408 from the first base film 412. Although illustrated with the removable feature 414 on a corner of the second base film 408, this is not intended to be limiting as the removable feature 414 may be located in any desired position on the second base film 408.
The second base film 408 may be removably adhered over the first base film 412 using a release liner. In one embodiment, the release liner may be composed of a material, such as a dry release adhesive or evaporative adhesive, such that when the second base film 408 is removed from the first base film 412 substantially no effective adhesive remains on the removed second base film 408. Thus, the second base film 408 may no longer be affixed or adhered to the first base film 412. In one embodiment, once the second base film 408 is removed from the first base film 412, the dual scratch and peel label 402 may have a slight bend and can no longer be positioned in a flat or rigid horizontal state or form.
One example of a release liner may include a dry release adhesive wherein essentially no adhesive remains on the second base film 408 or the first base film 412. In another example, the release liner may be an evaporative adhesive in which some of the adhesive might be present on the second base film 408 but quickly evaporates upon exposure to the air. When the release liner is comprised of an evaporated adhesive, it is somewhat liquid in form when applied, yet cannot evaporate or sublime because it is sealed between the first base film 412 and the second base film 408. Until second base film 214 is removed and exposes that portion of the adhesive release liner, the release liner can then evaporate or sublime.
Additionally, the first base film may have a plurality of security features, such as security slit. The security feature prevents a user from removing the dual scratch and peel label to steal the concealed information. In other words, the security features prevent a user from stealing the redemption code to redeem when a purchaser purchases and activates the transaction card. In one example, the security features are a plurality of slits or indents formed in the first base film such that the first base film cannot be removed in its entirety. An attempted removal of the first base film will result in only partial remove of the first base film. Thus, since only portions of the first base film can be removed at a time, this informs a potential purchaser that the transaction card has been tampered with.
A second base film may be removably adhered over the first base film at 504 using a release liner or a one-time adhesive. In one embodiment, the one-time adhesive may be composed of a material, such as a releasable adhesive, dry release adhesive, or evaporative adhesive, such that when the second base film is removed from the first base film substantially no effective adhesive remains on the removed second base film or the first base film. Thus, the second base film may no longer be affixed or adhered to the first base film once removed. In one embodiment, once the second base film is removed from the first base film, the dual scratch and peel label may have a slight bend and can no longer be positioned in a flat or rigid horizontal state or form.
One example of the release liner may include a dry release adhesive wherein essentially no adhesive remains on the second base film or the first base film. In another example, the release liner or one-time adhesive may be an evaporative adhesive in which some of the adhesive might be present on the second base film but quickly evaporates upon exposure to the air. When the release liner or one-time adhesive is comprised of an evaporated adhesive, it is somewhat liquid in form when applied, yet cannot evaporate or sublime because it is sealed between the first base film and the second base film. Until second base film is removed and exposes that portion of the adhesive, the adhesive can then evaporate or sublime.
In one embodiment, the second base film may have an area smaller than the area of the first base film. Yet, the second base film may also substantially cover the redemption code. In other words, the second base film may have a length and height smaller than a length and height of the first base film. In another embodiment, the second base film may have substantially the same area as the first base film. In other words, the second base film may have a length and height similar to the first base film.
Similar to the first base film, the second base film may be any clear, substantially transparent film so that the redemption code may be visible through the first base film and second base film. In one example, the second base film may be any type of clear styrene film or other clear polymer film material. In another example, the second base film may also be formed as polyester, paper, nylon, polypropylene, or any other similar materials. The second base film may be any desired thickness. In one embodiment, the second base film has a thickness between about 0.1 millimeters-1 millimeter. In another embodiment, the second base film has a thickness between about 0.5 millimeters-2 millimeters.
A first scratch-off layer may be applied to the second base film at 506. The first scratch-off layer may be a black colored, non-transparent layer affixed or adhered to the second base film. If portions of the first scratch-off layer is scratched off, the redemption code may be revealed. The first scratch-off layer may be any material configured to optically block out or conceal the redemption code displayed on the transaction card. In one embodiment, the first scratch-off layer may be a thin layer of pigmented paraffin or other kind of wax, plastic or other substance which is applied through a rolling, spraying or stamping process such as is normally used to make scratch-off type labels. The first scratch-off layer may be designed to be easily scratched off, such as with a fingernail, scissors, keys, coin, or the like to expose the surface directly underneath the first scratch-off layer (i.e. the second base film).
A second scratch-off layer may be applied over the first scratch-off layer at 508. The first scratch-off layer and the second scratch-off layer may form a scratch-off surface of the dual scratch and peel label. In one embodiment, the second scratch-off layer may be a silver colored, non-transparent layer. However, any other color may be used for the second scratch-off layer. Similar to the first scratch-off layer, the second scratch-off layer may be a thin layer of pigmented paraffin or other kind of wax, plastic or other substance which is applied through a rolling, spraying or stamping process such as is normally used to make scratch-off type labels. The second scratch-off layer may be designed to be easily scratched off, such as with a fingernail, scissors, keys, coin, or the like to expose the first scratch-off layer directly underneath the second scratch-off layer 218, and eventually the redemption code if the first scratch-off layer is also scratched off, the second base film, and/or the redemption code.
Indicia may be printed on a portion of the second scratch-off layer at 510. In one embodiment, the printed indicia may be any text such as “Scratch or Peel” to inform the user that the concealed information concealed by the dual scratch and peel label may be revealed by either scratching the dual scratch and peel label or peeling off the dual scratch and peel label. However, this is for exemplary purposes only as any type of indicia may be printed on the second scratch-off layer such as shapes, text, logos, pictures, and the like.
A protective film may be affixed or adhered over the dual scratch and peel label at 512. In one embodiment, the protective film may be affixed or adhered over the second scratch-off layer. In another embodiment, the protective film may be affixed or adhered over substantially all of dual scratch and peel label (e.g. the second scratch-off layer and the first base film). The protective film may be designed to protect the dual scratch and peel label. The protective film may be a thin layer designed to seal and/or protect the dual scratch and peel label from weather, pre-mature scratching, age, flaking, and the like. In one embodiment, the protective film is thinner than the first base film and the second base film. In one example, the protective film has a thickness of between about 0.05 millimeters-1.0 millimeters. In another example, the protective film has a thickness of between about 0.25 millimeters-1.5 millimeters. The protective film may be affixed or adhered to the first base film and the second scratch-off layer using any known adhesives or methods. The protective film may be affixed or adhered to the first base film and/or the second scratch-off layer using any known adhesives or methods.
The dual scratch and peel label may then be formed to any desired shape at 514. The dual scratch and peel label may be formed by any known method such as die cutting and the like. The dual scratch and peel label may be formed into any desired shape that can conceal the predetermined information, such as a redemption code. In one example, as illustrated in
A transaction card having predetermined information, to be concealed, displayed thereon may be obtained at 516. The predetermined information may be printed on the transaction card via any known printing methods such as with direct on demand, inkjet printer, thermal printing, and the like.
In one example, the transaction card may be a gift card, pre-paid telephone card, discount card, coupon, or any other type of transaction card having a unique code or redemption code printed thereon. The redemption code may be used to redeem the product or service and is generally initially concealed or made invisible. In another example, the transaction card may be a lottery-type card having concealed symbols, prizes, and the like.
The formed dual scratch and peel label may be affixed or adhered to the transaction card by adhering the first base film over the predetermined information to be concealed at 518. The first base film may be secured to the transaction card by any known adhesive that is retained on the underside of the first base film or an adhesive that is applied directly onto the transaction card. This adhesive may be a pressure sensitive adhesive or any other known adhesive.
If it is determined that portions of the scratch-off surface are not removed at 602, a determination is made whether the second base film is removed from the first base film at 604. Other users may desire to peel off the dual scratch and peel label to reveal the concealed information which can be more efficiently accessed without produce debris that otherwise results from scratching off portions of the scratch-off layers. Use of a fingernail, knife, scissors, coin, or any other similar objects may be used to peel or lift the dual scratch and peel label. In essence, the second base film may be removed from, peeled, or lifted away from the first base film. The peeling away of or lifting of the second base film from the first base film may reveal the concealed information, such as a redemption code.
A removable feature may be used to assist in the removal of dual scratch and peel label. In one embodiment, the removable feature may be a tab coupled to or integral with the second base film. In use, a user may use a finger, fingernail, or any other object to lift the tab and peel or lift the second base film from the first base film. The removable feature may be located in any desired position proximate the second base film. In another embodiment, the removable feature may be a recess on the transaction card, as discussed in detail above with reference to
If it is determined that portions of the scratch-off layers are removed at 602 or that the second base film is removed from the first base film at 604, the concealed information may be revealed at 606. Once revealed, the user may use the concealed information, such as a redemption code, to redeem the subject matter of the transaction card. The subject matter of the transaction card may be any product or service, such as the purchase of a digital media item.
It will now be known that use of the redemption code may only be possible after an activation process is performed on the transaction card. An activation process may include a potential purchaser providing the card to a point-of-sale device, and the point-of-sale device being used to communicate with appropriate data store arrangements to ascertain whether the card may be activated. An activation process may also include a determination of whether the would-be owner of the card has the resources to pay for the card, and if payment tendered for the card is acceptable. Once the activation process on the card is completed, the user may use the redemption code to redeem the product or service of the transaction card. For example, if the transaction card is a gift card to obtain a digital media asset, the user may access an online media store. Once the interface website is accessed to enable the transaction card to be redeemed for the digital media asset, the redemption code may be provided to the online media store/website. Providing the redemption code to the online media store/website allows identification of the digital media asset associated with the redemption code. After the redemption code is provided to the online media store/website, the digital media asset may be downloaded from the online media store/website. The process of obtaining the digital media asset is completed when the digital media asset is downloaded.
By allowing a user to peel off the dual scratch and peel label to reveal the concealed information, such as a redemption code, the user may be able to use image analysis to redeem the product or service of the transaction card. Currently, the only option a user has to reveal the concealed information is by scratching off a portion of a scratch-off surface. This results in residue of material (i.e. the scratch-off layers) present on or in the proximity of the redemption code even after removal of the scratch-off layers. Presence of the residue can make the determination of the redemption code more challenging and may be unreadable using image analysis. In other words, although the redemption code can be determined based on an image of the transaction card, simply scratching off the scratch-off layers may make the determination of the redemption code unreadable. Thus, by allowing the user to peel off the dual scratch and peel label, no residue of material will remain and the redemption code can be determined based on an image of the transaction card.
When using image analysis to redeem the transaction card, an image of the transaction card can be processed using image analysis or one or more image processing techniques to extract the redemption code for the transaction card. By way of example, an image (e.g., a digital picture) of the transaction card (e.g., gift card) can be processed by a device to extract an alphanumeric value printed on the transaction card. This means that the alphanumeric value need not be entered manually by a person who seeks to redeem the transaction card. As a result, a user can simply take a picture of the transaction card rather than having to manually enter a long alphanumeric value. This technique for submission and verification of redemption codes are particularly useful for mobile devices.
While embodiments and applications of this invention have been shown and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that many more modifications than mentioned above are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein.
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