Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080217401 | Stored-value card with chemical luminescence - A stored-value card includes a housing and a glow article. The housing includes an account identifier adapted to link the stored-value card to a financial account or a financial record. The glow article is enclosed within the housing and is configured to be selectively removed from the housing and manipulated to initiate chemical luminescence of the glow article. Stored-value card assemblies, methods of promoting sales of stored-value cards, methods of using a stored-value card and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 09-11-2008 |
20080223939 | Financial transaction card assembly with packaged product - A financial transaction card assembly comprises a financial transaction card, a package, and at least one article. The financial transaction card includes an account identifier linking the financial transaction card to at least one of a financial account or a financial record. The package is separate from the financial transaction card and defines an internal cavity. The at least one article is enclosed within the internal cavity. The financial transaction card is maintained outside of the internal cavity and is removably coupled to the package. Methods of assembling a financial transaction card assembly, methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a financial transaction card assembly, and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 09-18-2008 |
20080245875 | STORED-VALUE PRODUCT WITH HOUSED ARTICLE - A stored-value card includes an aromatic item, a housing, and an activation area. The housing substantially encloses the aromatic item, and the housing is configured to be selectively closed and opened to provide access to the aromatic item. The activation area links the housing to at least one of a stored-value account and a stored-value record such that value can be added to or deducted from the at least one of the stored-value account and the stored-value record using the activation area. Financial transaction cards, methods of encouraging purchase, and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 10-09-2008 |
20090055318 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH REMOVABLE ARTICLES - A transaction product includes a housing, a tray, one or more articles and an account identifier. The tray is selectively maintained within and readily removable from the housing. The one or more articles are selectively maintained by the tray, and each of the one more articles are readily removable from the tray. The account identifier is associated with the housing and links the transaction product to an account or record having a value configured to be used toward one or more of a purchase and a use of goods or services. Other products, cards, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed. | 02-26-2009 |
20090099674 | FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH CONNECTION CABLE - A financial transaction product includes an electrical assembly, a housing at least partially enclosing the electrical assembly, a connection cable, and an account identifier. The connection cable includes a first end, which is coupled with the housing and in electrical communication with the electrical assembly, and a second end, which is opposite the first end, is spaced from the housing, and includes an electrical connector configured to selectively interface with a electrical device separate from the financial transaction product. The account identifier is affixed to the housing and links the housing to at least one of a financial account or a financial record. Methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a financial transaction card assembly and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 04-16-2009 |
20090108079 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH GENERATOR - A transaction product includes an electro-mechanical circuit and an account identifier. The circuit includes a mechanical drive member, a generator in mechanical communication with the drive member, and an electrically driven device in electrical communication with the generator. The circuit is configured such that when a bearer moves the drive member, motion from the drive member is transferred to the generator, the generator uses the motion from the drive member to create an electrical voltage, and the electrical voltage is transferred to the electrically driven device to selectively power activation of the electrically driven device. The account identifier links the transaction product to an account or record and is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal such that value can be added to or deducted from the account or record using the account identifier. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed. | 04-30-2009 |
20090112711 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH MOVABLE MEMBER - A transaction product includes a first member, a second member and an account identifier. The first member defines a window. The second member is substantially enclosed within the first member and depicts a first image and a second image. The second member is selectively movable relative to the first member between a first position, in which the first image is viewable through the window, and a second position, in which the second image is viewable through the window. The account identifier links the transaction product to an account or record and is machine readable. The account identifier is at least one of connected to and substantially enclosed within the first member. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed. | 04-30-2009 |
20090159691 | TRANSACTION CARD WITH EDGE-GLOW CHARACTERISTIC - A transaction card includes a single layer substrate and an account identifier. The single layer substrate is formed of a transparent polymer resin mixed with a fluorescent dye such that the single layer substrate exhibits an edge-glow characteristic. The single layer substrate is one of transparent and translucent. The account identifier is connected to the single layer substrate and links the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record. The account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. Stored-value card assemblies, methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a stored-value card and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 06-25-2009 |
20090166430 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH ELECTRICAL PLUG - A transaction product, which is configured to interface with and receive electrical power from an electrical socket, includes a support member, an electrical circuit and an account identifier. The electrical circuit is coupled to the support member and includes an electrical plug and an electrically driven device electrically coupled with the electrical plug. The electrical plug includes at least two blades extending from the support member. The at least two blades are configured to interface with the electrical socket such that electrical power from the electrical socket is transferred to the electrically driven device via the electrical plug. The account identifier links the transaction product to an account or record, wherein the account identifier is machine readable. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of using such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed. | 07-02-2009 |
20090166433 | TRANSACTION CARD WITH ENCLOSED CHAMBER - A transaction card includes a chambered member, a cover substrate and an account identifier. The chambered member defines a rear surface, a front surface and a chamber extending from the front surface toward the rear surface. The front surface and the rear surface are sized similarly to each other. The cover substrate defines a first surface, which is securely coupled to the front surface to enclose the chamber, and a window aligned with the chamber. The window is one of translucent and transparent such that at least a portion of the chamber is viewable through the window. The account identifier is connected to the chambered member and links the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record. Other embodiments, stored-value cards and associated methods are also disclosed. | 07-02-2009 |
20090166436 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH STORAGE CHAMBER - A transaction product includes a housing and an account identifier. The housing includes a first member, which defines a primary panel and a side wall extending around the primary panel to define a storage chamber, and a second member slidably coupled with the first member. The second member is configured to slide relative to the first member between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the second member covers the storage chamber, and in the open position, the storage chamber is readily accessible. The second member slides relative to the first member between the open position and the closed position in a direction substantially perpendicular to an extension of the side wall from the primary panel of the first member. The account identifier links the housing to an account or record and is machine readable. Other cards, products, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed. | 07-02-2009 |
20100051705 | TRANSACTION CARD ASSEMBLY WITH SUBJECT AND STAND PORTIONS, ELECTROSTATIC CLINGS AND A BACKER - A transaction product includes a subject portion defining a first slot, a stand portion defining a second slot having a similar width as the first slot, and an account identifier. The stand portion is coupled to the subject portion along a line of weakness and is readily separable from the subject portion along the line of weakness without using tools. The account identifier is fixedly connected to one of the subject portion and the stand portion and links that portion to at least one of an account and a record. When separated, the subject portion and the stand portion are configured to be reassembled such that the first slot receives a thickness of the stand portion and the second slot receives a thickness of the subject portion. Stored-value cards, combinations, methods of facilitating use of a transaction product and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 03-04-2010 |
20100276499 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH REMOVABLE ARTICLES - A transaction product includes a housing, a tray, one or more articles and an account identifier. The tray is selectively maintained within and readily removable from the housing. The one or more articles are selectively maintained by the tray, and each of the one more articles are readily removable from the tray. The account identifier is associated with the housing and links the transaction product to an account or record having a value configured to be used toward one or more of a purchase and a use of goods or services. Other products, cards, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed. | 11-04-2010 |
20110017830 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT ASSEMBLY WITH POCKET AND SUPPORTING BACKER - A transaction product assembly includes 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. Other products, assemblies, combinations and associated methods are also disclosed. | 01-27-2011 |
20110021106 | STORED-VALUE PRODUCT WITH MANUFACTURED ARTICLE - A stored-value product includes a toy automobile and a panel. The toy automobile includes a body and wheels rotatably coupled to the body. The panel is coupled to the body and includes an account identifier signifying a financial account or record linked to the stored-value card assembly. Stored-value product assemblies, methods of promoting sales of stored-value products, methods of using a stored-value product and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 01-27-2011 |
20110024508 | FINANCIAL TRANSACTION CARD ASSEMBLY WITH PACKAGED PRODUCT - A financial transaction card assembly comprises a financial transaction card, a package, and at least one article. The financial transaction card includes an account identifier linking the financial transaction card to at least one of a financial account or a financial record. The package is separate from the financial transaction card and defines an internal cavity. The at least one article is enclosed within the internal cavity. The financial transaction card is maintained outside of the internal cavity and is removably coupled to the package. Methods of assembling a financial transaction card assembly, methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a financial transaction card assembly, and other embodiments are also disclosed. | 02-03-2011 |
20110101089 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH CARD AND STICKER - A transaction product for a retail display includes a transaction sticker and a transaction card. The transaction sticker defines a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface. The transaction sticker includes a first account identifier linking the transaction sticker to an account or record configured to track a value available for use toward a purchase of goods and services. The first account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. The rear surface is coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The transaction card defines a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and including a second account identifier. The second account identifier is machine readable by the point-of-sale terminal. The transaction sticker is releasably coupled to the transaction card and is configured to be removed from the transaction card and applied to an article. Other cards, products, combinations and associated methods are also disclosed. | 05-05-2011 |
20110161187 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH LENS - A transaction product includes a substantially planar panel defining an aperture, a lens extending across the aperture, one or more auxiliary items, a foldable sheet, and an account identifier. The foldable sheet supports each of the one or more auxiliary items and is folded and positioned relative to the substantially planar panel such that at least one of the one or more auxiliary items is readily viewable through the lens. The account identifier is coupled with the substantially planar panel and links the transaction product to an account or record configured to track a financial value available for use toward a purchase price of one or more of goods and services. Other products, combinations, and associated methods are also disclosed. | 06-30-2011 |
20110320350 | TRANSACTION PRODUCT WITH A PLURALITY OF CARDS - A transaction product includes a housing and a plurality of cards. The housing defines a storage chamber and a substantially planar exterior surface facing away from the storage chamber. The housing is configured to repeatedly open and close to selectively provide access to the storage chamber and includes a machine-readable account identifier statically secured to the substantially planar exterior surface. The machine-readable account identifier links the transaction product to an account or record remote from the transaction product and having a value available for use as payment toward a purchase. The plurality of cards is arranged in at least one stack. The at least one stack is selectively maintained within the storage chamber of the housing, and each card of the plurality of cards is substantially planar. | 12-29-2011 |