Patent Application
20220153495
The present invention relates generally to secure point-of-sale activated cards, and more particularly, to packaging technology designed to deter theft and unaccountable activation of activatable point of sale cards.
The purchase, sale, and use of cards such as debit cards, gift cards, credit cards, telephone cards and the like has dramatically increased to the point where the cards are well known and their uses are widely recognized. At times, cards are printed and issued with a predetermined balance and typically sold as a retail item. However, a typical card is often stored or displayed in an inactivated state to reduce the risk of theft. This essentially renders the card valueless until it is activated by a retailer or another party upon purchase by the end user. Despite these security features, point of sale cards are still stolen, often by removing the card from its packaging. At other times, the theft can be more surreptitious. For example, the would-be thief may only remove a card from its packaging long enough to obtain identifying card data such as an account number or a PIN number, after which the card is returned to its packaging. In some instances, this information may be accessible without removing the card from the packaging. The thief can then wait until the card is activated and at that time gain unauthorized access to any value associated with the card.
In addition to cards, suppliers and/or retailers often desire to include additional material or information within the card packaging. For example, a card supplier will often include a set of terms and conditions of use or instructions for using the card on a separate sheet of paper. Although these inserts can be bulky, such as when multiple sheets or folded sheets of material must be included, it is desirable to include them inside the package with the card to prevent their loss and maintain a clean package appearance.
Packaging with enhanced security that is capable of indicating unauthorized access to a packaged card reduces shrinkage due to theft of card value. As cards become more widely used internationally, new challenges arise that call for new solutions.
One embodiment in accordance with the invention includes a secure card package with a first panel having an outer surface and an inner surface and a second panel having an outer surface and an inner surface. In this embodiment the inner surfaces of the panels face toward each other. There is a polymeric coating on the inner surfaces of the panels and an adhesive over the polymeric coating. A card is located between the first and second panels and the first and second panels are heated under pressure to activate the adhesive in a region substantially surrounding the card to card to enclose the card between the panels. The polymeric coating and adhesive could cover substantially all of the inners surfaces of the panel, the region substantially surrounding the card, or any other region as desired.
Another embodiment in accordance with the invention includes a secure card package with a first panel having an outer surface and an inner surface and a second panel having an outer surface and an inner surface. In this embodiment the inner surfaces of the panels face toward each other. There is a polymeric coating on the inner surfaces of the panels and an adhesive over the polymeric coating. A card is located between the first and second panels and the first and second panels are heated under pressure to activate the adhesive in a region substantially surrounding the card to card to enclose the card between the panels. In this embodiment at least one of the panels has a line of separation which upon separation defines a slot in the panel and provides access to the space between the panels. In some embodiments, the slot is dimensioned to allow passage of the card. In another embodiment one of the panels has a removable portion, and a line of separation defines the perimeter of the removable portion. In some embodiments having the removable portion, there is an adhesive on the removable portion for holding a card disposed within the space between the first and second panels.
Another embodiment in accordance with the invention includes a secure card package with a first panel having an outer surface and an inner surface and a second panel having an outer surface and an inner surface. In this embodiment the inner surfaces of the panels face toward each other. There is a polymeric coating on the inner surfaces of the panels and an adhesive over the polymeric coating. A card is located between the first and second panels and the first and second panels are heated under pressure to activate the adhesive in a region substantially surrounding the card to card to enclose the card between the panels. In this embodiment one of the panels has an aperture. The card has a data field disposed and is disposed such that at least a portion of the data field is viewable through the aperture in the panel.
Another embodiment in accordance with the invention includes a secure card package with a first panel having an outer surface and an inner surface and a second panel having an outer surface and an inner surface. In this embodiment the inner surfaces of the panels face toward each other. There is a polymeric coating on the inner surfaces of the panels and an adhesive over the polymeric coating. A card is located between the first and second panels and the first and second panels are heated under pressure to activate the adhesive in a region substantially surrounding the card to card to enclose the card between the panels. The polymeric coating of this embodiment includes low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethlyene, high density polyethlene and/or copolymers of polyethylene.
Another embodiment in accordance with the invention includes a secure card package with a first panel having an outer surface and an inner surface and a second panel having an outer surface and an inner surface. In this embodiment the inner surfaces of the panels face toward each other. There is a polymeric coating on the inner surfaces of the panels and an adhesive over the polymeric coating. A card is located between the first and second panels and the first and second panels are heated under pressure to activate the adhesive in a region substantially surrounding the card to card to enclose the card between the panels. The adhesive of this embodiment includes ethylene vinyl acetate.
Another embodiment in accordance with the invention involves a method of forming a secure card package. The method includes the steps of applying a polymeric coating to a surface of a first panel and a surface of a second panel and applying an adhesive over the polymeric coating on the panels. A card is positioned between the panels, with the coated surfaces of the panels facing toward each other and toward the card. The region of the panels around the card is pressed together and heated to activate the adhesive. In some embodiments of this method, an activation data field is placed on the card. Some embodiments may include inserting the card into a metalized sleeve.
In another embodiment in accordance with the invention, a secure card package has a card with a first panel and a second panel enclosing the card. There is a laminated layer bonding the two panels together in a region around the card. The laminated layer has a first polymer layer adjacent the first panel, a second polymer layer adjacent the second panel, and an adhesive layer between the first and second polymer layers. In some embodiments, the card may have an activation field.
In yet another embodiment in accordance with the invention, a secure card package has a card with a first panel and a second panel enclosing the card. There is a laminated layer bonding the two panels together in a region around the card. The laminated layer has a first polymer layer adjacent the first panel, a second polymer layer adjacent the second panel, and an adhesive layer between the first and second polymer layers. In some embodiments, the card may have an activation field. This embodiment has a third panel that is joined to edge-to-edge with the first panel. The third panel is adapted to move through a range of motion. The third panel may be moved to a first position wherein the third panel at least partially covers the first panel. The first panel is disposed between the second and third panels when in this first position. The third panel may also be moved into a second position where the third panel at least partially covers the second panel. The second panel is disposed between the first and third panels when in this second position. It is possible, but not necessary, to construct this embodiment from a sheet of material having a first fold line and a second fold line, wherein the first, second, and third panels are formed on the sheet with the first and second panels joined at the first fold line and the first and third panels joined at the second fold line.
In another embodiment in accordance with the invention, a secure card package has a card with a first panel and a second panel enclosing the card. There is a laminated layer bonding the two panels together in a region around the card. The laminated layer has a first polymer layer adjacent the first panel, a second polymer layer adjacent the second panel, and an adhesive layer between the first and second polymer layers. In some embodiments, the card may have an activation field. This embodiment has a third panel that is joined to edge-to-edge with the first panel. The third panel is adapted to move through a range of motion. The third panel may be moved to a first position wherein the third panel at least partially covers the first panel. The first panel is disposed between the second and third panels when in this first position. In some cases, an aperture on the first panel may be covered by the third panel in this position. The third panel may also be moved into a second position where the third panel at least partially covers the second panel. The second panel is disposed between the first and third panels when in this second position. In this embodiment the first panel has an aperture, the card has a data field on it, and the card is disposed such that the data field is viewable through the aperture.
In another embodiment in accordance with the invention a secure card package includes a first panel having an outer surface and an inner surface and a second panel having an outer surface and an inner surface. In this embodiment, the inner surfaces of the panels face toward each other. A heat activated adhesive is printed on the inner surface of the first panel. A card is disposed between the first and second panels. The first and second panels are heated under pressure to activate the adhesive in a region substantially surrounding the card to enclose the card between the panels.
In another embodiment in accordance with the invention a secure card package includes a first panel having an outer surface and an inner surface and a second panel having an outer surface and an inner surface. In this embodiment, the inner surfaces of the panels face toward each other. A heat activated adhesive is printed on the inner surface of the first panel using a printing roller, a flood coater, a Gravure press, a multi-roll printing system, or an Anilox roll system. A card is disposed between the first and second panels. The first and second panels are heated under pressure to activate the adhesive in a region substantially surrounding the card to card to enclose the card between the panels.
In another embodiment in accordance with the invention a secure card package includes a first panel having an outer surface and an inner surface and a second panel having an outer surface and an inner surface. In this embodiment, the inner surfaces of the panels face toward each other. A heat activated adhesive is printed on the inner surface of the first panel in a region substantially surrounding the card. A card is disposed between the first and second panels. The first and second panels are heated under pressure to activate the adhesive in a region substantially surrounding the card to enclose the card between the panels.
In yet another embodiment, a package for a point of sale card is disclosed. The package may include a first panel, a second panel coupled to the first panel by an activatable adhesive applied to one of the first panel or the second panel; and a card enclosure region defined between the first panel and the second panel, the card enclosure region configured to receive a point of sale card therein, wherein the activatable adhesive is selectively activated along a perimeter surrounding the card enclosure region to secure the first panel to the second panel together at the perimeter and prevent access to the card enclosure region without irreparable damage to the first panel or the second panel.
In another embodiment, a card assembly is disclosed. The card assembly including a point of sale activatable card and a package for receiving the point of sale activatable card. The package includes a first panel, a second panel, and adhesive applied to the first panel in a first region and activated in a second region smaller than the first region, the adhesive in the second region securing the first panel and the second panel together and defining a card reception space therebetween, the point of sale activatable card being positioned within the card reception space, where the point of sale activatable card is prevented from being removed from the card reception space without irreparable damage to the first panel and the second panel.
In another embodiment, a method for producing a card package is disclosed. The method includes printing an adhesive on a first region of a first panel, drying the adhesive, positioning a point of sale activatable card within a card region defined on the first panel, positioning a second panel over the first panel and the point of sale activatable card, and activating the adhesive in a second region surrounding the point of sale activatable card and the card region to define a sealed perimeter surrounding the perimeter of the point of sale activatable card, where the second region is smaller than the first region.
In another embodiment, a package for a point of sale card is disclosed. The package includes a first panel. The package further includes a second panel. The package further includes a card enclosure region defined between the first panel and the second panel. The card enclosure region is configured to receive a point of sale card. The package further includes a heat activatable adhesive applied to selected areas of one or both of the first panel or the second panel. The heat activatable adhesive is selectively activated along a perimeter surrounding the card enclosure region to secure the first panel the second panel together and prevent access to the card enclosure region without irreparable damage to the first panel or the second panel.
In another embodiment, a package for a point of sale card is disclosed. The package includes a first panel. The package further includes a second panel. The package further includes a card enclosure region defined between the first panel and the second panel. The card enclosure region is configured to receive a point of sale card. The package further includes a heat activatable adhesive applied to one or both of the first panel or the second panel. The heat activatable adhesive further includes a first activated portion and a second non-activated portion. The first activated portion is configured to secure the first panel the second panel together and prevent access to the card enclosure region without irreparable damage to the first panel or the second panel.
In another embodiment, a package for a point of sale card is disclosed. The package includes a first panel. The package further includes a second panel. The package further includes a card enclosure region defined between the first panel and the second panel. The card enclosure region is configured to receive a point of sale card. The package further includes a heat activatable adhesive applied to a region of one or both of the first panel or the second panel. The region of the heat activatable adhesive includes an activated inset portion configured to secure the first panel the second panel together and prevent access to the card enclosure region without irreparable damage to the first panel or the second panel.
The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are numbered identically. The drawings depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It will be understood that embodiments shown in the drawings and described below are merely for illustrative purposes, may not be to scale, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
The second panel 30 also has a polymeric coating 60 on its inner surface 70. An adhesive 80 is disposed over the polymeric coating 40 on the first panel, and an adhesive 90 is disposed over the polymeric coating 60 that is disposed on the second panel. In
A card 100 is disposed between the first and second panels. The card could be a point of sale activated phone or gift card, a credit or debit card, or any type of stored value card or other card where security of the card is an issue. The package may also include documentation as to how to use the card or redeem card value as well as terms and conditions regarding the card agreement or other documentation (not shown). This documentation may make the material stored in the card somewhat bulky, so a polymer and adhesive combination that securely fastens the panels despite the pressure exerted by the sometimes bulky enclosed components is used.
The panels themselves may be made of any suitable material. One exemplary material is a bleached paperboard substrate used in packaging of foods and other products. Such panels may be clay coated and/or otherwise treated on the outer surface to improve printability, smoothness, and other desired characteristics.
The polymeric coating is applied to the inner surfaces of the panel, which may be uncoated. The polymeric coating may be applied to essentially the entire inner surface of the panel, or to selected areas or regions depending on the application. The polymer layer may be a polyolefin, and polyolefins known to effectively work with embodiments of the invention include low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethlyene (LLDPE), high density polyethlene (HDPE) and copolymers of polyethylene (PE).
The adhesive may be applied over the polymeric coating. An ethylene vinyl acetate has been found to be effective, as have laminating adhesives based on polyurethane, but other adhesives such a ethylene methyl acrylate, and other acrylic copolymer adhesives are also contemplated. The adhesive may include additives that improve adhesive performance or otherwise improve the performance of the packaging.
The combination of a polymeric layer with the adhesive layer may have several benefits such as a thinner and lighter adhesive layer due to the synergistic relationship between the two layers. Also, because adhesive is typically more expensive than the polymeric layer, the use of less adhesive or a substitution of some adhesive for polymer may reduce production costs.
Panels in accordance with embodiments of the invention may be produced from sheets of feedstock that are then cut to the desired size by die cutting or other means known in the art. In some embodiments, a feedstock such as paperboard is fed from a feed roll past polymer application devices as are known in the art. The polymer may be, for example, extruded onto the feedstock. The adhesive may be applied over the polymer in the same manner, and the feedstock with polymer and adhesive layers may be rolled back up for transport to other facilities for further processing such as printing, die cutting, and/or production of the final packaging.
The embodiment of
Card packages constructed in this fashion may be extremely secure because the combination of polymeric layers and adhesive layers creates a bond with the material that is difficult to infiltrate without irreparably damaging the panel. In cases where the panels include a paperboard substrate, the polymeric layer includes polyethylene, and the adhesive includes ethylene vinyl acetate, among others, the enclosure can be so robust that it is virtually impossible to remove the card from the package without irreparably damaging one or both of the panels. This construction effectively prevents thieves from slicing the package apart at the interface between the panels, removing the card to acquire data from the card, and returning the card to the package for sale to an unsuspecting customer. In some cases a narrow strip of tensilized polypropylene or other filament may be pre-applied to either panel of the package. Such a filament is commonly used in express mail envelopes such as those used by Federal Express® to allow easier opening of the envelopes. This allows the consumer to open the package without the need for scissors. It opens the package cleanly, yet does enough damage to insure tamper evidence.
To form the secure card package from the elements shown in
The embodiment in
The embodiment of
The third panel 180 is adapted to move through a range of motion even while the first 20 and second 30 panels are fastened together to enclose the card and/or other contents of the package. This range of motion includes a first position wherein the third 180 panel at least partially covers the first panel 20. The panels may be joined so that the third panel 180 can rotate or move about an axis coaxial with the junction 170. When the third panel 180 is in this first position, the first panel 20 is disposed generally between the second 30 and third 180 panels. In some embodiments that include the aperture 16, the third panel 180 may cover the aperture when in the first position of the range of motion.
The third panel 180 may also be moved to a second position. In this second position the third panel 180 at least partially covers the second panel 30, the second panel 30 being disposed between the first 20 and third 180 panels when in the second position.
In some embodiments, the third panel 180 can be secured to either or both the first and second positions by any suitable fastener known in the art.
The three panels of the embodiment shown in
The movement of the third panel 180 can advantageously add to the aesthetics, functionality, and/or security of the package assembly 10. For example, in one embodiment, the third panel 180 can be fastened against the second panel 30 with a non-resealable adhesive, thus making an attempt to access the card by lifting the third panel detectable. In another embodiment, a retailer or other person may detach the removable portion 140 of the second panel 30 in order to access and activate the card. After the card has been activated, it can be placed back through the slot created by the removable portion 140, and the third panel 180 can be fastened against the second panel 30. Thus, the third panel can conceal the separated line and/or the removed portion and maintain a pleasing appearance when the package is presented to a recipient, while the separation of the removable portion 140 from the second panel 30 creates a difficult to mask indicator that the contents have been removed from the package.
In some embodiments, a supplier or retailer can include indicia on the second panel 30 which can be concealed at appropriate times by the third panel 180. For example, a retailer may desire to include promotional indicia, advertising, instructional indicia or other indicia on the second panel 30 and yet desire to conceal that indicia at times. The third panel 180 can be fastened in the first position against the first panel 20 in order to facilitate viewing of the second panel, and then unfastened and moved into the second position and fastened to the second panel 30 as previously described in order to conceal any indicia on the second panel 30. Indicia placed on the first panel 20 can similarly be concealed by moving the third panel 180 from the second position into the first position against the first panel 20. In addition, some embodiments include indicia on the third panel 180 that can alternately be viewed or concealed depending upon which surface of the third panel the indicia is on.
A card 100 is disposed between the first and second panels. The card could be a stored value card or other card where security of the card is an issue. The package may also include documentation as to how to use the card or redeem card value as well as terms and conditions regarding the card agreement or other documentation (not shown).
The panels could be any suitable paper board or plastic stock, but one embodiment uses solid bleached sulfate paper stock that is clay coated on both sides (C2S SBS), or a similar coated board stock. The adhesive is a heat activated adhesive and is applied directly to the clay coated inner surfaces. The adhesive may be applied to substantially all of the inner surface 50, 70 of the panels 20, 30 in selected areas. The embodiment of
The heat activated adhesive of
The heat activated adhesives used in these embodiments are applied to the cardstock in the normal printing process and allowed to dry to be activated later. Glues, by comparison, are applied as part of the package assembly with the card 10 and other components because the assembly has to take place before the glue has an opportunity to dry. The heat activated adhesive can be applied to the entire surface of the panel, and only activated selectively by heating only the portions of the panels that are to be bonded. With glues, care must be taken to avoid allowing the glue to contact the package contents and adhere to them. This fact, combined with the above-discussed ease of controlled application of the heat activated adhesives provide for more efficient production of packages and lower reject rates.
Once given the above disclosure, many other features, modifications or improvements will become apparent to the skilled artisan. Such features, modifications or improvements are, therefore, considered to be a part of this invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims.
This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/879,573, filed May 20, 2020, entitled “ULTRASECURE CARD PACKAGE”, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/704,067, filed May 5, 2015, entitled “ULTRASECURE CARD PACKAGE”, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,034,497, which is a continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No. 13/852,286, filed Mar. 28, 2013, entitled “ULTRASECURE CARD PACKAGE,” now U.S. Pat. No. 9,049,909, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/083,178, filed Apr. 8, 2011, entitled “ULTRASECURE CARD PACKAGE”, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,419,889, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/017,227, filed Jan. 21, 2008, entitled “ULTRASECURE CARD PACKAGE”, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16879573 | May 2020 | US |
| Child | 17587994 | US | |
| Parent | 14704067 | May 2015 | US |
| Child | 16879573 | US | |
| Parent | 13852286 | Mar 2013 | US |
| Child | 14704067 | US | |
| Parent | 13083178 | Apr 2011 | US |
| Child | 13852286 | US | |
| Parent | 12017227 | Jan 2008 | US |
| Child | 13083178 | US |
