Abstract:
A gift card assembly includes a support backer; a gift card formed separately from and supported by the support backer; a sticker formed separately from and supported by the support backer; and a panel formed separately from the support backer, the gift card, and the sticker. The gift card defines an activation feature configured to facilitate loading the gift card with monetary value. The sticker is releasably coupled with the panel. The panel is coupled with the support backer such that the sticker is coupled with the support backer only via the panel, and the panel fits entirely within a footprint of the support backer. Other method and product embodiments are disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/164,816, filed Jun. 30, 2008, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/804,796, filed Mar. 18, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,409,788, issued Aug. 12, 2008, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Stored value cards and other financial transaction cards come in many forms. A gift card, for example, is a type of stored value card that includes pre-loaded or selectably loaded monetary value. In one example, a customer buys a gift card having a specified value for presentation as a gift to another person. In another example, a customer is offered a gift card as an incentive to make a purchase. A gift card, like other stored value cards, can be “recharged” or “reloaded” at the direction of the bearer. The balance associated with the card declines as the card is used, encouraging repeat visits to the retailer or other provider issuing the card. Additionally, the card generally remains in the user&#39;s purse or wallet, serving as an advertisement or reminder to revisit the associated retailer. Gift cards provide a number of advantages, to both the customer and the retailer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, a gift card assembly includes a support backer; a gift card formed separately from and supported by the support backer; a sticker formed separately from and supported by the support backer; and a panel formed separately from the support backer, the gift card, and the sticker. The gift card defines an activation feature configured to facilitate loading the gift card with monetary value. The sticker is releasably coupled with the panel. The panel is coupled with the support backer such that the sticker is coupled with the support backer only via the panel, and the panel fits entirely within a footprint of the support backer. Other methods and product embodiments are disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the figures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a gift card assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the  FIG. 1  assembly. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the  FIG. 1  assembly. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the  FIG. 1  assembly in an alternative configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view of the  FIG. 4  assembly, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of a gift card with an alternative initial label, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the  FIG. 1  assembly with an open sticker booklet, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the  FIG. 7  assembly with a selected sticker removed and applied, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the  FIG. 1  assembly with a lower portion thereof being detached, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1-3 , financial transaction card assembly or package  10  includes substrate  15 . Substrate  15 , which also may be called a backing, comprises a single layer or multiple layers of paper or plastic material, for example, generally in the form of a relatively stiff but bendable/flexible card. Other materials are also contemplated. 
     Substrate  15  supports stored value card or other financial transaction card  20 . Card  20  is, for example, a card used by a merchant to issue a spending credit to a customer. The merchant provides the card in exchange for money received, merchandise returned or other consideration. The card is “loaded” with monetary value, for example a dollar value that the merchant&#39;s customer can use or give to another individual. A record of the monetary balance on the card 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 electronics or devices on the card itself. 
     Stored value cards and other financial transaction cards come in many forms, according to embodiments of the invention. A gift card, for example, includes pre-loaded or selectably loaded monetary value. In one example, a customer provides consideration in the amount of the card value, or is offered the gift card as an incentive to make a purchase, and then either keeps the card for use or provides the card as a gift to a recipient. The gift card, like other stored value cards, can be “recharged” or “reloaded” at the direction of the original customer, the gift recipient, or a third party. The balance associated with the card declines as the card is used, encouraging repeat visits. The card remains in the user&#39;s purse or wallet, serving as an advertisement or reminder to re-visit the associated merchant. Gift cards according to embodiments of the invention provide a number of advantages to both the customer and the merchant. 
     Other stored value cards according to embodiments of the invention include loyalty cards, merchandise return cards, electronic gift certificates, employee cards, frequency cards, pre-paid cards, and other types of cards associated with or representing purchasing power or monetary value, for example. Other forms of financial transaction cards according to embodiments of the invention include credit cards and debit cards. 
     Card  20  is releasably secured to substrate  15  by adhesive or an adherence layer represented generally at  25  in  FIG. 3 . Substrate  15  defines window or opening  30  for displaying activation area  35  of card  20 . According to the illustrated embodiment, activation area  35  includes bar code  40 . Alternatively, or additionally, activation area  35  may include a magnetic strip, a smart chip or other electronic device, a radio frequency identification device, or other identification device or indicia, such as a card number and event number. Bar code  40  or other activation-area feature optionally represents an account number or otherwise serves to link card  20  to a database or other electronic or manual storage device or system. In the case of a gift card, activation area  35  is adapted for loading of the gift card with monetary value. 
     Substrate  15  supports sticker booklet  45 . Sticker booklet  45  is secured to substrate  15  by a readily severable plastic film  50  disposed over booklet  45  and adhered to substrate  15 , according to one embodiment. Splitting film  50 , for example along one or more perforation lines in film  50 , allows access to booklet  45  and its contents. Film  50  also holds booklet  45  in the closed configuration illustrated in e.g.  FIG. 1 . Booklet  45  is alternatively secured to substrate  15  by adhesive or an adhesion layer. Additionally, substrate  15  supports adhesive  52  on one or both of the front side of substrate  15  ( FIG. 1 ) and the rear side of substrate  15  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     Substrate  15  is a tri-fold substrate defining two fold lines  55 ,  60 . According to one embodiment, lower portion  65  of substrate  15  folds upwardly out of the page as viewed in  FIG. 2  (upwardly into the page as viewed in  FIG. 1 ) about fold line  60  to cover middle portion  70  of substrate  15 . Fold line  60  also defines a detach line, for example a line of perforations, adapted to allow physical separation of lower portion  65  supporting sticker booklet  45  from a remainder of substrate  15 , i.e. from middle portion  70  and upper portion  75 . Lower portion  65  and middle portion  70  then together fold upwardly out of the page as viewed in  FIG. 2  (upwardly into the page as viewed in  FIG. 1 ) about fold line  55  to cover upper portion  75  of substrate  15 , and more specifically, to cover window  30  and bar code  40 . 
     Folding substrate  15  in the manner described yields the folded substrate illustrated in  FIG. 4 , with card  20  supported on a front outer surface thereof.  FIG. 5  shows the opposite side of the folded substrate illustrated in  FIG. 4 , rotated 180 degrees in the plane of the page. 
     According to one embodiment, the height of lower portion  65  is slightly less than the height of middle portion  70 , such that a slight underlap area below fold line  55  is defined when lower portion  65  is folded over middle portion  70 . Additionally, the height of middle portion  70  is slightly less than the height of upper portion  75 , such that slight underlap area  77  is defined below fold line  60  when lower portion  65  and middle portion  70  together are folded over upper portion  75 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Folded substrate  15 , card  20  and sticker booklet together define compact package  79 . Package  79  is releasably held in a closed position by adhesive  52 , with the front of lower portion  65  ( FIG. 1 ) being adhered to the rear of upper portion  75  of substrate  15 . Substrate  15  also defines a cut forming a flap  80 . If desired, and/or once adhesive  52  is released or removed, edge  60  may be tucked behind flap  80  to hold package  79  in the closed position. Package  79  displays brand or other indicia  85 , e.g. “the perfect giftcard”. Brand indicia or other indicia optionally is placed anywhere on substrate  15 , for example in the center of middle portion  70 . 
     Substrate  15  defines personalization area  90  ( FIGS. 1 and 5 ), comprising indicia  95  (e.g. “From” and “To”) indicating a purchaser or other provider of card  20  and a recipient of card  20 , respectively, e.g. in the case where card  20  is a gift card. Indicia  95  (e.g. “Initial Amount”) also may identify an initial monetary value loaded on card  20 . Indicia  95  are associated with respective manual write areas  100 , which allow a purchaser or other person to write information associated with indicia  95 . 
     Assembly  10  includes other indicia, according to embodiments of the invention. Indicia  105  (e.g. “Create your own special message with the enclosed set of stickers”) are provided on sticker booklet  45  and are for directing a customer or other person to customize card  20  with a selected message, e.g. a message that is, or is on, one of the stickers in sticker booklet  45 , as will be described. More specifically, indicia  105  direct the customer to physically adhere a selected sticker or other message to card  20 . 
     Additionally, indicia  110  (e.g. “Peel off and create your own message with the enclosed pack of 14 stickers! See list on back.”) are provided on label, sticker or other layer  115  adhered to card  20 . Indicia  110  direct the customer to “peel off” or otherwise remove label  115  from card  20  and/or to replace the removed label  115  with a selected message, e.g. a sticker from booklet  45 . Label  115  covers substantially less than the entire surface of card  20 , according to the  FIG. 1  embodiment, and is generally in the shape of a speech bubble. According to the  FIG. 6  embodiment, on the other hand, label  115 ′ is of substantially the same size as card  20 . Indicia  105  also are contained within speech bubble  120 , and any of the other indicia disclosed herein are optionally contained within respective speech bubbles. Label or sticker  115  or  115 ′ is to be removed from card  20  before applying any of the stickers from sticker booklet  45 , according to embodiments of the invention. 
     Indicia  125  (“Tear here”) indicate to a user of assembly  10  that lower portion  65  of substrate  15  can be torn away, e.g. once one or more appropriate stickers have been selected from booklet  45 . Other indicia also can be provided. For example, the space below personalization area  90  may include a list of the stickers or other messages included in booklet  45 , and may also indicate that additional value can always be added to card  20  if desired. Substrate  15  thus may display indicia indicating types of stickers in booklet  45 , and indicating the rechargeable or reloadable nature of card  20 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 7-9 ,  FIG. 7  illustrates sticker booklet  45  in an open, unfolded configuration, with three separate panels  130 ,  135 ,  140 . Although three panels are illustrated, any number of desired panels may be provided. Booklet  45  also may take other formats, e.g. a book-type format with multiple pages folding at a “spine” or center portion thereof, a fanfold-panel format, etc. 
     Sticker booklet  45  contains personalization messages, e.g. in the form of stickers  145  for physical application to card  20 . Other forms of personalization messages are contemplated, e.g. temporary cling-type plastic decals, printing-medium transfer templates, etc. Personalization messages  145  are supported by backing or substrate  15  and each comprise adhesion surface  150 , e.g. a sticky back surface. Surface  150  is adapted for releasable connection to booklet  45 , and thus is adapted for releasable connection to backing  15  via booklet  45 . Surface  150  also is adapted for adhesion to card  20 , such that messages  145  will readily stick or otherwise adhere to card  20 . 
     Personalization messages include a group of pre-printed stickers  155 . Stickers  155  may include indicia  160  (e.g. “Congratulations!”) congratulating a recipient of card  20 , or may provide other messages to the recipient as illustrated in  FIGS. 7-8  (“Best wishes!”, “Yes . . . Success!”, “Hey! Thanks!”, “Happy Day!”, “Happy B-Day!”, “Smooch!”, “Wow!”, and “Let&#39;s shop!”). Blank stickers  165  allow a presenter of card  20  to manually write or otherwise provide their own congratulatory message or other message. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates initial sticker or label  115  being peeled back for removal from card  20 . Label  115  includes adhesion surface  170  for adhering to card  20 . In  FIG. 8 , label  115  has been removed from card  20 , and a selected sticker  175  has been removed from its original position  180  on panel  135  of booklet  45 . Sticker  175  is affixed to card  20  at a desired position, resulting a personalized, customized card for presentation to a recipient or for other purpose. Multiple stickers optionally may be affixed to card  20 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates lower portion  65  of substrate  15  being torn away along fold/tear line  60 , such that portion  65  and the unused portion of sticker booklet  45  may be discarded if desired. Middle portion  70  then can be folded upwardly into the page along line  55 , as viewed in  FIG. 9 , to create package  79  of  FIGS. 4-5 , without lower portion  65  and booklet  45 . Edge  60  may be tucked behind flap  80  to hold package  79  in its closed position. 
     According to embodiments of the invention, then, assembly  10  is an example of apparatus for allowing personalization of financial transaction card  20 , comprising means for presenting a group of personalization messages for application to financial transaction card  20 , means for allowing removal of a selected sticker from the group of stickers, and means for allowing application of the selected sticker to financial transaction card  20 , to personalize financial transaction card  20 . 
     According to a method embodiment of the invention, a method of personalizing stored value card  20  comprises selecting sticker  175  from a group of stickers  145  associated with stored value card  20 , removing selected sticker  175  from the group of stickers  145 , at  180 , and applying selected sticker  175  to stored value card  20 , to personalize stored value card  20 . The group of stickers is supported by substrate  15 , and substrate  15  also supports stored value card  20 . The method includes opening sticker booklet  45  to view the group of stickers  145 , as shown in e.g.  FIG. 7 . The removing of selected sticker  175  optionally comprises peeling off selected sticker  175  from booklet  145 . The method also optionally comprises removing sticker  115  from stored value card  20  before applying selected sticker  175  to stored value card  20 . Stored value card  20  optionally is a gift card for presentation as a gift to a recipient, and the method further comprises selecting a sticker  145  that conveys a message related to the gift, e.g. “Congratulations!” or the like. The method also optionally includes detaching portion  65  of substrate  15  that supports the group of stickers  145 . The method further optionally includes personalizing a sticker  165  by manually writing on the selected sticker. Stored value card  20  may be presented to an employee of a retail store for activation of stored value card  20 , according to another method embodiment of the invention. 
     According to other embodiments, a method of encouraging customization of financial transaction card  20  by a customer includes displaying financial transaction card  20  to the customer, and displaying indicia  105  and/or  110 , for example, directing the customer to customize financial transaction card  20  with a selected message  145 / 175 , the message being selectable by the customer from a group of messages  145 . Financial transaction card  20  is a stored value card, according to one embodiment, and the method further includes displaying the stored value card at the point-of-sale in a retail sales environment. The group of messages optionally comprises a group of stickers  145  for application to financial transaction card  20 . The method also includes displaying indicia  105  and/or  110  directing the customer to physically adhere to financial transaction card  20  a selected message  175  from the group of messages  145 . The method also includes displaying indicia  110  directing the customer to remove sticker or label  115  from financial transaction card  20  and to replace removed label  115  with selected message  175 . The method also includes displaying substrate  15  that supports financial transaction card  20 , indicia  110 / 115 , and the group of messages  145 . Financial transaction card  20  optionally is a gift card, and the method further includes displaying activation area  35  of gift card  20  for loading of gift card  20  with monetary value. 
     According to another embodiment, a method of making a customizable stored value card assembly  10  includes adhering customizable stored value card  20  on substrate  15 , and adhering a group of messages  145  to substrate  15 , at least one of the messages  145  being physically removable from the group of messages  145  for application to stored value card  20 , for customizing stored value card  20 . The method also includes displaying activation area  35  of card  20  through opening  30  in substrate  15 , activation area  35  being adapted for loading of stored value card  20  with monetary value. 
     Although the invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments, such embodiments are 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. For example, stickers  145  may be directly adhered to e.g. lower portion  65  of substrate  15 , instead of being presented in booklet  45 . Other modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.