Patent Application
20110017830
Stored-value cards and other transaction products come in many forms. A gift card, for example, is a type of transaction product that includes a pre-loaded or selectively loaded monetary value. In one example, a consumer buys a gift card having a specified value for presentation as a gift to another person. In another example, a consumer is offered a gift card as an incentive to make a purchase. A gift card, like other transaction products, can be “recharged” or “reloaded” at the direction of the bearer. The balance associated with the gift card declines as the gift card is used, encouraging repeat visits to the retailer or other provider issuing the gift card. Additionally, the gift card generally remains in the user's purse or wallet, serving as an advertisement or reminder to revisit the associated retailer. Gift cards and other transaction products provide a number of advantages to both the consumer and the retailer.
One aspect of the present invention relates to a transaction product assembly including a transaction product and a supporting backer. The transaction product includes an account identifier, a primary article, and a panel. The account identifier links the transaction product to at least one of an account and a record, and the account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. The primary article defines a substantially planar surface. The panel extends across the substantially planar surface to define a pocket between the panel and the substantially planar surface. The supporting backer is formed separately from the transaction product and includes a flap extending into the pocket to at least partially couple the supporting backer to the transaction product. Stored-value products, methods of providing a transaction product, and other embodiments of stored-value or transaction products and associated combinations are also disclosed.
Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:
Stored-value cards and other transaction products are adapted for making purchases of goods and/or services at, for example, a retail store or website and/or for storing non-monetary value adapted for redemption toward the use of goods and/or services (e.g., a phone card). According to one embodiment, an original consumer buys a transaction product to give a recipient who in turn is able to use the transaction product at a retail store or setting to pay for the goods and/or services. A transaction product, according to embodiments of the present invention, is coupled to a backer to increase the aesthetic appeal of the resulting assembly, to facilitate placement of transaction product in a retail setting, to provide available areas to supporting additional print regions, and to facilitate wrapping of the transaction product for gifting to a third party recipient.
Primary article 20 defines sidewalls 28 (e.g., first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls 28a, 28b, 28c, and 28d as pictured in
A cover member or panel 30 extends over at least one of front surface 24 and rear surface 26. In one embodiment, panel 30 extends substantially entirely across a length of front surface 24 measured from second sidewall 28b to fourth sidewall 28d. Panel 30 defines first, second, and third closed sides 32a, 32b, and 32c as well as a top or open side 34 (e.g., closed edges and an open edge). In one example, panel 30 extends at least partially over each of second and fourth sidewalls 28b and 28d and/or is secured to each of second and fourth sidewalls 28b and 28d along first and third closed sides 32a and 32c of panel 30. Panel 30, more specifically, second closed side 32b, is secured along bottom or third sidewall 28c of primary article 20. For example, in one instance, panel 30 terminates at or otherwise near the intersection between front surface 24 and third sidewall 28c, while, in one example, panel 30 extends at least partially over and is secured to third sidewall 28c. Open side 34 defined by panel 30 extends from near third sidewall 28c toward top or first sidewall 28a of primary article 20. In one embodiment, panel 30 extends entirely to first sidewall 28a. In the example illustrated in
A pocket 36 (e.g., a sleeve or compartment) is defined between panel 30 and front surface 24, in other words, opposite a substantially planar, outside surface 38 of panel 30. As such, primary article 20 and panel 30 are one example of means for defining pocket 36, and panel 40 is one example of means for extending over primary article 20 to define pocket 36. Pocket 36 is sized and shaped to extend over substantially all of front surface 24 of primary article 20 other than the upper portion of front surface 24 uncovered by panel 30 as described above. In one embodiment, panel 30 contacts front surface 24 upon initial construction of primary article 20 and/or pocket 36 is otherwise formed to be very thin. In one example, panel 30 is formed of a material configured to stretch slightly upon insertion of planar item(s) into pocket 36 to allow room to receive the planar item(s) while maintaining compression on the planar item(s) between front surface 24 and panel 30. Panel 30 and primary article 20, therefore, provide one example of means for maintaining item(s) within pocket 36 in compression. The material used for panel 30 is, in one embodiment, transparent or translucent.
Transaction card 22 may take any one of a variety of forms as are known in the art, and, in one example, is formed separately from primary article 20. In one embodiment, transaction card 22 is formed of a suitable substrate 40 formed from a single or multiple layered sheet material. Example substrates 40 are somewhat rigid yet flexible materials in substantially planar forms. More specifically, in one embodiment, substrate 40 is a substantially planar member formed of plastic (e.g. polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), teslin, polyactide (PLA) or acrylic), or a composite thereof. Substrate 40 can be formed in any other suitable planar or non-planar configuration as will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this application.
In one example, substrate 40 defines a front surface 42 (i.e., a first major surface) and a rear surface 44 (i.e., a second major surface) opposite front surface 42 separated by a thickness of transaction card 22. In one embodiment, at least one of front and rear surfaces 42 and 44 is substantially planar. In one example, substrate 40 is substantially rectangular in shape, and, in one embodiment, is sized similarly to an identification card, a credit card, or other card sized to fit in a wallet of a card bearer (i.e. is wallet sized). Accordingly, in one example, each of front surface 42 and rear surface 44 is substantially rectangular and/or is otherwise wallet sized. In particular, in one embodiment, the overall dimensions of substrate 40 are about 8.5 cm by about 5.5 cm wide with a thickness of less than about 1 mm. In other embodiments, substrate 40 is otherwise shaped as a square, circle, oval, star, or any other suitable shape.
In one example, substrate 40 defines a top edge 46a, an opposite, bottom edge 46, and two opposing side edges 48a and 48b each extending between and substantially perpendicularly to top edge 46a and bottom edge 46b. Substrate 40 is sized and shaped to fit within pocket 36 defined between front surface 24 of primary article 20 and panel 30. An overall width of substrate 40 (i.e., a distance measured between opposing side edges 48a and 48b) is slightly smaller than a width of pocket 36 (i.e., a distance between first and third closed sides 32a and 32c). In one embodiment, substrate 40 defines an overall height (i.e., distance between top edge 46a and bottom edge 46b) that is greater than an overall height of pocket 36 (i.e., a distance defined between closed side 32b and open side 34 of panel 30) such that top edge 46a extends above and is spaced from open side 34 of panel 30.
Transaction card 22 is configured to be slid into pocket 36 through an opening defined between open side 34 of panel 30 and front surface 24 of primary article 20 in a relatively tight manner such that transaction card 22 is at least partially maintained in pocket 36 by compression applied to either side of transaction card 22 by panel 30 and primary article 20.
In one example, front surface 42 of substrate 40 or any other suitable portion of transaction card 22, includes at least one account activation area or account identifier 50 fixedly connected thereto, such as a bar code, magnetic strip, a smart chip or other electronic device, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device or other suitable identifier readily machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal or other account access station or kiosk. Account identifier 50 indicates an account or record to which transaction card 22, and therefore, transaction product 12 considered as a whole, is linked. The account or record of the monetary or other value balance on transaction product 12 optionally is maintained on a database, other electronic or manual record-keeping system or, in the case of “smart” cards for example, on a chip or other electronic device(s) on transaction card 22 or other portion of transaction product 20. Accordingly, by scanning account identifier 50, the account or record linked to transaction product 12 is identified and can subsequently be activated, have amounts debited therefrom, and/or have amounts added thereto.
In one embodiment, account identifier 50 includes a character string or code 52 (e.g., a number and/or letter string) configured to provide additional security to the user of transaction product 22 and/or configured to be read by a bearer of transaction card 22 to facilitate use of transaction card 22 for web site or other purchases outside of brick-and-mortar type retail establishments. With the above in mind, account identifier 50 is one example of means for linking transaction card 22 and, therefore, transaction product 12, with an account or record, and scanning of account identifier 50 is one example of means for activating or loading value on transaction card 22 and transaction product 12. In one embodiment, account identifier 50 is alternatively or additionally also fixedly connected to primary article 20, as illustrated, for example, in
In one embodiment, front surface 42 of substrate 40 or other suitable portion of transaction card 22 includes one or more brand identifier 56 and/or other indicia 58. Brand identifier 56 includes one or more of a logo, text, trademark, etc. associating transaction product 12 with at least one of a product, a brand, a store, etc. Other indicia 58 may include any suitable graphics, text, or combinations thereof. In one example, other indicia 58 include aesthetically pleasing graphics, etc., an indication of a place for a user or retail employee to write an initial value of transaction card 22 (i.e., value of the account or record linked to transaction card 22), or any other suitable indicia.
When transaction card 22 is slid into pocket 36, rear surface 44 of transaction card 22 is positioned adjacent front surface 24 of primary article 29. In one embodiment, due to the substantially transparent nature of panel 30, front surface 24 faces and is at least partially viewable, scannable, or otherwise readable through panel 30. For example, account identifier 50 on front surface 24 is able to be viewed by the bearer and/or an employee of a retail store and/or is mechanically scannable (e.g., optically scannable in the case of a bar code) through panel 30 such that transaction card 22 does not necessarily need to be removed from pocket 36 to use transaction card 22 to identify the account or record associated with transaction card 22. In one embodiment, primary article 20 alternatively or additionally includes one or more of indicia 50, 52, 56, and 58.
In one embodiment, redemption indicia 54 are included on one or both of primary article 20 and transaction card 22 (see, e.g.,
In one embodiment, backer 14 is configured to be folded about transaction product 12 to wrap transaction product 12 for presentation to a recipient. For example, in one embodiment, backer 14 includes fold lines 76 (e.g., predefined fold lines), which extend substantially parallel to and are longitudinally spaced from one another to define a first panel 80, an intermediate or second panel 82, and a third panel 84 of backer 14. For example, second panel 82 extends between first panel 80 and third panel 84. One of fold lines 76 divides first panel 80 from second panel 82, and the other one of fold lines 76 divides second panel 82 from third panel 84. In one embodiment, transaction product 12 is secured to first panel 80 such that, upon folding backer 14 about fold lines 76, first panel 80 and third panel 84 are folded relative to second panel 82 to at least partially overlap one another and to substantially enclose transaction product 12 within folded backer 14, for example, as generally illustrated in
In one example, a cut 85 is formed in an internal portion (i.e., a portion spaced from outer perimeter edge 74) of backer 14, more specifically, in an internal portion of first panel 80 of backer 14. Cut 85 is substantially three-sided to define a flap 86 between the sides or segments of cut 85. In one embodiment, cut 85 is substantially U-shaped, although any one or more of sides of cut 85 may be substantially linear or non-linear as will be apparent to those of skill in the art. Cut 85 is sized and shaped to define flap 86 with an overall width at least slightly less than a width of pocket 36 of transaction product 12. In one embodiment, cut 85 is a single slit of nominal thickness in backer 14. In one embodiment, cut 85 is a single slit in backer 14. In one embodiment, cut 85 is alternatively formed as a substantially wider cutout in backer 14. Flap 86 is one example of means for extending from a remainder of backer 14.
A fold line 88 generally extends between the opposing ends of cut 85 as generally illustrated in
In one example, first panel 80 defines a hanging aperture 100 near a top portion thereof as illustrated in
In one embodiment, backer 14 defines a slit 102 and a corresponding tab 104 formed by slit 102. Tab 104 is formed in an interior portion within the confines of slit 102. Tab 104 is configured to be bent or moved slightly away from a remainder of first panel 80. More specifically, one of first panel 80 and third panel 84 defines slit 102 and tab 104 such that tab 104 is configured to receive an opposite edge 106 defined by the other of first panel 80 and third panel 84. In this configuration, when backer 14 is folded about fold lines 76, opposite edge 106 is placed through slit 102 such that opposite edge 106 is maintained between tab 104 and a remainder of first panel 80 adjacent slit 102 to selectively hold backer 14 in the folded or closed configuration, for example, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, backer 14 displays indicia, graphics or text information including store logo(s), store name(s), slogans, advertising, instructions, directions, brand indicia, promotional information, holiday indicia, seasonal indicia, media format identifiers, characters and/or other information. The various indicia may be included on one or more of front and rear surfaces 70 and 72. In one example, the indicia include one or more of redemption indicia 92, message field indicia 94, brand indicia 96, etc.
Redemption indicia 92, which are generally indicated with a dashed box in
Message field indicia 94 (
At 136, transaction card 22 is placed in pocket 36 by sliding transaction card 22 into pocket 36 via an opening defined between open side 34 of panel 30 and front surface 24. Once positioned within pocket 36, even where bottom edge 46b of transaction card 22 is positioned nearly adjacent bottom or third sidewall 28c of primary article 20, a top portion of transaction card 22 remains exposed between open side 34 of panel 30 and first sidewall 28a of primary article 20 when viewed from a front vantage point. The exposed portion of transaction card 22 facilitates a user in easily grasping transaction card 22 to repeatedly and slidably remove transaction card 22 from and to replace transaction card 22 in pocket 36 as desired.
In one example, panel 30 is initially tightly held against front surface 24 of primary article 20, but is formed of a slightly elastic or otherwise stretchable material that allows panel 30 to stretch slightly away from front surface 24 in a manner forming pocket 36 and receiving transaction card 22. Upon positioning, transaction card 22 is maintained within pocket 36 via compression applied on either side by primary article 20 and panel 30. In one embodiment, such as that illustrated in
At 138, which may occur before, after, or substantially simultaneously with any one or more of operations 132, 134, and 136, backer 14 is provided. In one example, backer 14 is cut from a piece of substantially planar material that is one or more of paper, cardboard, and plastic based to have features similar to those described above. Then, at 140, transaction product 12 (or 60) is coupled with backer 14. In particular, flap 86 of backer 14 is slid into pocket 36 via the same opening into pocket 36 as transaction card 22. For example, where transaction product 12 is used, flap 86 is positioned in pocket 36 between transaction card 22 and front surface 24 of primary article 20. In one embodiment, flap 86 flexes away from a remainder of first panel 80 of backer 14 about fold line 88 to facilitate placement of flap 86 within pocket 36.
In one example, panel 30 is formed of a slightly elastic or otherwise stretchable material that allows panel 30 to stretch slightly away from front surface 24 to form pocket 36 and receiving transaction card 22 and/or flap 86. The tight pocket 36 at least partially maintains transaction card 22 and/or flap 86 within pocket 36 via compression applied on either side by primary article 20 and panel 30. Referring to
At 142, transaction product 12 is optionally additionally secured to backer 14. For example, as illustrated in
Other embodiments and/or variations of transaction product assembly 10 will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this application. For example, transaction product 60 may include a transaction card 22, hanging aperture 100 may be positioned near an end of third panel 84 rather than first panel 80, etc. In one embodiment, where the overall thickness from front to back of transaction product 12 or 60 is relatively small, fold lines 76 of backer 14 is replaced with a single fold line 76 and intermediate or second panel 82 is eliminated.
At 164, a consumer who has decided to purchase transaction product assembly 10 presents transaction product 12 on backer 14 to a retail store employee, retail store kiosk, remote terminal, or other person or device to scan account identifier 50 to access an account or record linked to account identifier 50. In particular, account identifier 50 is scanned or otherwise accessed, for example, while in pocket 36 through panel 30 to activate transaction card 22 or transaction product 12 or 60 as a whole. Upon accessing the account or record, then, at 166, value is added to the account or record in the form of monetary value, points, minutes, etc. Thus, transaction card 22 and/or transaction product 12 as a whole is activated and loaded.
In one example, a predetermined value is associated with transaction product 12 (i.e., associated with the account or record linked to transaction product 12 via account identifier 50) prior to activation and display, but such predetermined value is not initially available for use toward the purchase or use of goods and/or services. In such an embodiment, at 164, transaction product 12 is activated to permit subsequent access to the predetermined value (e.g., subsequent loading on and debiting from the account or record) and no additional value is added during activation such that operation 166 may be eliminated.
Once transaction product 12 is activated and loaded, transaction product 12, and in one example, transaction card 22 removed from a remainder of transaction product 12, can be used by the consumer or any other bearer of transaction product 12 to purchase goods and/or services at the affiliated retail setting (e.g., a retail store or website) or can be used in exchange for calling minutes, etc. In one embodiment, where transaction product assembly 10 is displayed on a website at 162, then, at 164, transaction product 12 may be activated in any suitable method and may not require the physical scanning of account identifier 50 to be activated or to otherwise access the associated account or record such as at 166.
In one example, at 168, the retail store or other affiliated retail setting or website accepts at least a portion of transaction product 12 (e.g., transaction card 22) as payment toward the purchase of goods and/or services made by the current bearer of transaction product 12. In particular, the value currently loaded on transaction product 12 (i.e., stored or recorded in the account or record linked to account identifier 50) is applied toward the purchase of goods and/or services. At 170, additional value is optionally loaded on transaction product 12 at a point-of-sale terminal, kiosk or other area of the retail store or related setting. Upon accepting transaction product 12 or a portion thereof as payment at 168, the retail store or related setting can subsequently perform either operation 168 or operation 170 as requested by a current bearer of transaction product 12. Similarly, upon loading additional value on transaction product 12 at 170, the retail store or related setting can subsequently perform either operation 170 again or operation 168. In one example, the ability to accept transaction card 22 as payment for goods and/or services is limited by whether the account or record associated with transaction card 22 has any value stored or recorded therein at the time of attempted redemption.
Upon accessing account identifier 50, the account or record linked to account identifier 50 is accessed and activated to load value onto transaction product 12 (i.e., load value to the account or record associated with transaction product 12, for example, via transaction card 22). In one embodiment, such as where transaction product 12 is purchased at 182 via a website, actual scanning or other mechanical detection of account identifier 50 may be eliminated.
At 184, the consumer optionally gives transaction product 12 to a recipient, such as a graduate, relative, friend, expectant parents, one having a recent or impending birthday, a couple having a recent or impending anniversary, etc. In one embodiment, a plurality of transaction products 12 are purchased and given to partygoers, such as at a birthday party, etc. as party favors or gifts. As an alternative, the consumer can keep transaction product 12 for his or her own use thereby eliminating operation 184.
At 186, the consumer, recipient, or other current bearer of transaction product 12 interacts with the non-transactional features thereof for amusement. More specifically, the bearer of transaction product 12 interacts with any amusing or otherwise functional aspects of primary article 20 as described above that are not related to financial or value-based transactions. At 188, the consumer or recipient redeems transaction product 12 for goods and/or services from the retail store or website. At 190, the consumer or recipient of transaction product 12 optionally adds value to transaction product 12, more particularly, to the account or record associated with account identifier 50 included therewith, at the retail store or over the Internet (i.e., via the website).
Upon interacting with the non-transactional feature(s) of transaction product 12 at 186, redeeming transaction card 22 or transaction product 12 at 188 or adding value to transaction card 22 or transaction product 12 at 190, the consumer or recipient of transaction product 12 subsequently can perform any of operations 186, 188, or 190 as desired. In one embodiment, the ability of the consumer or recipient to repeat redeeming transaction product 12 or any portion thereof at 188 is limited by whether the account or record linked with transaction product 12 has any remaining value stored or recorded therein at the time of attempted redemption.
Although described above as occurring at a single retail store or website, in one embodiment, purchasing transaction product 12 at 182, redeeming transaction product 12 at 188, and adding value to transaction product 12 at 190, can each be performed at any one of a number of stores adapted to accept transaction product 12 or over the Internet. In one example, a number of stores are each part of a chain or are similarly branded stores. In one example, a number of stores includes at least one website and/or at least one conventional brick and mortar store.
Transaction cards and products come in many forms, according to embodiments of the invention. Stored-value cards, like other transaction products, can be “re-charged” or “re-loaded” at the direction of the original consumer, the gift recipient or a third party. The term “loading on” or “loaded on” herein should be interpreted to include adding to the balance of an account or record associated with a transaction product. The value balance associated with the transaction product declines as the product is used, encouraging repeat visits or use. The transaction product remains in the user's purse or wallet, serving as an advertisement or a reminder to revisit the associated merchant. Stored-value cards and other products according to embodiments of the invention provide a number of advantages to both the consumer and the merchant. Other stored-value products and transaction products according to embodiments of the invention include loyalty cards, merchandise return cards, electronic gift certificates, calling cards, employee cards, frequency cards, prepaid cards and other types of cards associated with or representing purchasing power, monetary value, etc.
Although the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments, such embodiments are meant for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered to limit the invention. Various alternatives and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Other modifications within the scope of the invention and its various embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.
