Multiple transaction card holder

A card holder assembly for holding multiple transaction cards, such as gift cards, to a common backer panel for presentation and sale. Cards held within the container may be from a variety of retailers. The cards may also be activated with accessing each individual card and without removing the cards from the card holder assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to transaction card holders and more particularly to a card holder for holding multiple transaction cards, such as gift cards, within an assembly that allows the cards to be scanned by a card reader without detachment from the holder.

Transaction cards, stored value cards, or gift cards, as they are commonly called, based upon their intended use, have become popular gifts. Gift cards typically comprise a stored value card whereby a certain cash equivalent value is encoded upon a magnetic strip applied to the surface of the card. This stored value may be determined by the vendor prior to packaging and display for sale or may be selected at the point of sale by the purchaser and loaded by the cashier using a magnetic card reader/writer. As an alternative to a magnetic strip, a transaction card may use a bar code to link the card to an account by which the associated value is stored in a computer database. While popular, gift cards are typically provided with a generic and impersonal design, typically identifying the associated merchant for which the card may be used to purchase merchandise, and therefore are not personalized in view of the intended recipient. Gift cards are often presented for sale on display racks in stores, each card or packet of cards being hung upon a display stand peg. A given area of a store will only support a certain number and size of display stands, given store traffic and other considerations, which makes allocation of display space an important marketing decision that may require selecting only certain high selling cards for display. Display of other items in the same store area will typically reduce the substantially finite space available for displaying gift cards and gift card packets. What is needed is a device for displaying multiple cards in an integrated package that also allows for scanning of each card without detachment from the package

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a card holder assembly for holding multiple transaction cards, such as gift cards, to a common backer panel for presentation and sale. The assembly provides certain structures for enabling cards held thereto to be lifted away from the assembly for scanning by a card reader without necessitating removal of the cards. The assembly also provides for bundling and sale of multiple cards associated with multiple different vendors in one unit. An embodiment of the card holder assembly may include a backer panel, foldable tabs for holding transaction cards thereto, and envelopes corresponding to each card and also attached to the assembly for later use by a purchaser.

In one embodiment the card holder assembly includes an elongated backer panel and a cover enclosure that includes one or more coplanar projection tabs. The cover enclosure also defines at least one transaction card portion dimensioned to hold at least one transaction card and defines at least one transaction card holder portion dimensioned to hold at least one transaction card holder. The projection tabs of the cover enclosure engage the elongated backer panel to hold the cover to the backer panel.

Other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the figures,FIGS. 1-21illustrate one or more embodiments of a card holder assembly100for holding multiple transaction cards105(such as gift cards) and corresponding envelopes110. The holder assembly100includes a backer panel115to which the cards105and envelopes110are removably attached.FIG. 1is a front elevation view of a card holder100showing transaction cards105and envelopes110attached to the front surface of the backer panel115.FIG. 2is a rear elevation view of the holder assembly100showing the rear surface of the backer panel115, whileFIG. 21is a perspective view of the card holder100. As illustrated, the backer panel115includes an upper header portion120having a centrally located aperture or peg hole125for receiving the peg of a product display stand (not shown).

FIG. 3is a plan view of an envelope110in an unfolded disposition. The envelope110includes a main panel130, a first side flap135projecting from the left margin of the main panel130, a second side flap140projecting from the right margin of the main panel130, a bottom flap145projecting from the bottom margin of the main panel130, and a top flap150projecting from the top margin of the main panel130. The flaps135,140,145and150are hingedly connected to the main panel130, typically via pre-scored fold lines therebetween, when the envelope110comprises a single piece of paper, card stock, or the like. The fold lines are typically formed by folding the flaps relative to the main panel130during assembly. The main panel130and flaps135,140,145and150extending therefrom comprise an envelope main body111.

A tongue or strap155further projects from a top margin of the top flap150and may be likewise hingedly connected thereto along a fold line. The intended position or location of a transaction card105within the envelope110is shown in phantom lines. The top flap150includes an envelope slot160for receiving the distal end155aof the tongue155after the tongue155is wrapped around the envelope110to secure the envelope110in a closed position, as described below. The tongue155may be provided with one or more pre-scored fold lines155bto correspond to folds made in the tongue155when it is wrapped around the envelope110and/or secured to the backer panel115. Alternatively, such folds may be made by bending the tongue155in the appropriate locations during assembly.

Turning to the structure of the backer panel115,FIG. 6is an elevation view of a backer panel115in an unfolded disposition showing the backer panel front subpanel115aand rear subpanel115bjoined to one another along an elongated, longitudinal hinge line115c. A top attachment flap115dprojects upward from the top margin of the front subpanel115a. A bottom attachment flap115eprojects downward from the bottom margin of the front subpanel115a. A side attachment flap115fprojects rightward (as illustrated) from the side of the front subpanel115adistal to the hinge line115c.

The front subpanel115aillustrated inFIG. 6includes three pairs of foldable, backer panel tabs170and backer panel slits175to accommodate attachment of three pairs of transaction cards105and associated envelopes110. Each tab170is cut on three contiguous sides from the material of the front subpanel115ato form a structure that may either lie in the plane of the backer panel115or be folded away from the plane of the backer panel115by rotating or bending the tab170along a top fold line170a. Removable adhesive180is applied to the front surface of each of the tabs170to adhere a card105to each tab170after the envelopes110are attached as shown inFIGS. 7 through 10.

To assemble the backer panel115, adhesive is applied to the forward faces of flaps115d,115eand115fand the flaps are folded back along fold lines115gto lie behind the front subpanel115a. The rear subpanel115bis then folded backwards along hinge line115cuntil it contacts and adheres to the flaps.

FIGS. 7 through 17are a progression of images showing the folding, positioning and attachment of envelopes110upon a backer panel115, in sequence.FIGS. 7 through 10are a progression of images showing steps in the process of folding an envelope110prior to installing the envelope110upon the backer panel115.FIG. 7is a plan view of an envelope110in an unfolded disposition.FIG. 8shows the bottom flap145folded inward and upward upon the main panel130.FIG. 9shows the side flaps135and140folded inward and upon the main panel130.FIG. 10shows the main panel130folded upward and upon the top flap150, such that the back surface of the main panel130is facing upward inFIG. 10.

FIGS. 11 through 17are a progression of images showing the positioning and attachment of envelopes110to the front subpanel115aof the backer panel115.FIG. 11shows an envelope110with the tongue155extended and the distal end155apositioned to enter the lower backer panel slit175of a backer panel115front subpanel115a. The distal end155aof the tongue155is inserted into the backer panel slit175and pushed upward until it emerges from the opening185that is formed between the lower margin of a cooperating tab170and the portion of the subpanel115aproximate thereto.FIG. 12shows the tongue155passed inward through the slit175, along the underside of the front subpanel115aof the backer panel115, the distal end155athen extending outward through opening185.

FIG. 13shows the tongue155passed through slit175and opening185, typically until the main body111abuts the edges of the slit175. The main body111is flipped upward so that the top flap150now faces upward as shown inFIG. 14. The tongue155is then folded downward upon top flap150and the distal end155aof the tongue155is inserted into the envelope slot160to secure the envelope110in a folded and closed disposition and to hold the envelope110in attachment to the backer panel115.

The above steps are repeated to attach envelopes110to all envelope positions on a backer panel115.FIG. 16shows multiple envelopes110attached to the backer panel115, as occurs prior to subsequent attachment of cards105to the backer panel115and display of the holder assembly100for sale.FIG. 17shows envelopes attached to all backer panel tabs170.

FIG. 18further illustrates attachment of an envelope110to a backer panel115and is a perspective view showing the tongue155inserted into a backer panel slit175and then passed back out through the opening185. As indicated by arrow8-1, the envelope110is then flipped or rotated upward to lie against the backer panel115. As shown inFIG. 19, the tongue155is then inserted into the envelope slot160.

After purchase of a card holder assembly100, the purchaser typically removes the cards105and envelopes110and encloses each card105within an envelope110. Returning toFIG. 3, placement of a transaction card105within an opened envelope110is indicated in phantom lines105. After placement of card105upon the main panel130, as shown, the side and bottom flaps135,140, and145are folded in upon the card105and the top flap150folded down upon the side and bottom flaps135,140and145. Turning toFIGS. 4 and 5, the tongue155may then be folded downward and the distal end155athereof inserted into the envelope slot160to place the envelope110in a fully closed position as shown inFIG. 4.FIG. 4is a is a front elevation view of an envelope110in a fully folded disposition showing the tongue155inserted into the envelope slot160to hold the envelope110closed.FIG. 5is a rear elevation view of the envelope110. The envelope110is typically placed in such a closed disposition after a gift card or other transaction card105is placed therein and prior to presenting the envelope110bearing the card105to a recipient.

FIG. 20is a partial, side, diagram view showing the transaction card105lifted away in the direction of arrow10-1from the front subpanel115aof the backer panel (the rear subpanel is omitted for clarity) in order to reveal a magnetic strip200on the rear surface of the card and make it accessible for scanning without the necessity of removing the card105from the assembly100. In certain embodiments the magnetic strip200of each card105is scanned individually at the point of sale to activate, while in other embodiments scanning a bar code or UPC code typically provided on the surface of the backer panel115or packaging activates all cards105in the assembly100. In still further embodiments, scanning the magnetic strip200of any one of the cards105of the assembly100activates all cards105of the assembly100.

FIGS. 22 and 23depict another embodiment of the card holder assembly300. As shown, this embodiment includes a backer panel302and one or more gift cards105A-C that are hingedly engaged to the backer panel via backer panel tabs or flaps170. The flaps170permit the gift cards105A-C to be lifted or pivoted away from the back panel302to expose activation indicia301A-C. The activation indicia301A-C may be in any form, including but not limited to a bar code, a UPC code, a serial number, a Quick Response (QR) Code, or financial instrument or account identifier. In various aspects, the activation indicia301A-C may be recorded in a machine readable magnetic strip. In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 22, the cards105A-C have different activation indicia301A-C, and each card must be scanned to activate the gift cards. In other embodiments, the activation indicia301A-C may be the same for all the gift cards105A-C, such that scanning, swiping, or otherwise reading the activation indicia for a single gift card activates all of the gift cards for the card holder assembly300.

The card holder assembly300also includes at least one envelope304for each of the gift cards150A-C. The envelopes303are engaged to the backer panel302by a removable adhesive placed within one or more adhesive regions, generally indicated as180, on the backer panel302. After each envelope304is engaged to adhesive regions180of the back panel302, the gift cards105A-C are positioned to lie on top of each corresponding envelope304.

FIGS. 24-25depict one embodiment of an envelope304that may be used with various embodiments of the card holder assembly disclosed herein. The envelope304is formed from one or more layers of a planar material306, including but not limited to paper, cardstock, plastic, or any other suitable materials, that is cut or scored to provide a back surface308with four or more panels or flaps310-316projecting there from. The projections include side panels310-312, a front panel314, and a top flap316. The panels and flaps310-316are hingedly engaged to the back panel308along a number of fold lines318A-D. In one aspect, the front panel314includes a slit or slot320to receive an edge of the top flap316when the envelope is in a closed configuration as shown inFIG. 25.

FIG. 26depicts an embodiment of a multi-layer backer panel116that may be used with the card holder assemblies shown inFIGS. 1-22. The backer panel116includes a first panel117that is hingedly connected to a second panel118by a fold line119. The first panel117includes a number of flaps170located adjacent to a number of corresponding openings171in the front panel. The flaps170are shown in broken lines as they project away from the back surface121of the front panel. When assembled, the back surface121of the first panel117contacts the front surface122of the second panel118as the first panel is pivoted about the fold line119to lie on top of the second panel. The openings171permit indicia123printed on the second panel118to be visible through the first panel117.

As shown, the first panel includes co-planar tab projections124A-C extending away from the front panel117. The tab projections124A-C are engaged to the front panel along fold lines126A-C. When assembled, the tab projections are folded along the fold lines126A-C to engage a back surface (not shown) of the second panel118.

FIGS. 27 and 28depict a complete card holder assembly101that includes a clamshell cover enclosure400, shown inFIGS. 29-30. The card holder assembly100is substantially similar to the card holder assembly100ofFIGS. 1-23. In one aspect, the clamshell cover400is transparent or at least translucent and may be composed of a polymer, including but not limited to molded polyvinyl chloride, acetate, or Polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG). As shown inFIGS. 29-30, the clamshell cover is dimensioned to fit over the backer panel115, as well as the engaged gift cards105A-C and envelopes304. To fit on the backer panel115, the clamshell cover defines one or more gift card holding regions404and envelope holding regions406. In one embodiment, the gift card holding regions404and the envelopes holding regions are stacked a top one another. In another embodiment, the gift card holding region404and the envelope holding region406may be separated from one another by a portion of the clamshell cover400and/or the backer panel115or116.

The clamshell cover400includes co-planar tab projections402A-D extending away from the cover. The projections402A-D are hingedly engaged to the clamshell cover400by folds403A-D in the clamshell cover. The tab projections402A-D extend beyond the portions of the clamshell surface that contact a front surface of the backer panel115, indicated as the region bound by the fold lines403A-D.

To secure the clamshell cover400to the card holder assembly100, the tab projections402A-D are pivoted along the respective fold lines403A-D such that the projections engage the back surface of the backer panel as shown inFIG. 28.

In one embodiment, the clamshell cover400prevents direct access to the gift cards105A-C; therefore, a single activation indicia300is used to activate the gift cards105A-C. As shown inFIG. 28, the card holder assembly may include a single activation indicia300printed on the back surface of the backer panel that may activate one or more of the gift cards105A-C associated with the card holder assembly100. In another embodiment, the backer panel may define one or more openings that permit activation indicia on one or more of the gift cards105A-C to be visible or otherwise accessible through the backer panel, such that the gift cards may be activated when a clamshell cover is in place.

FIGS. 31-36depict other embodiments of a card holder assembly500. In one embodiment, the card holder assembly500holds and displays one or more gift cards105in an upper portion502of the assembly, while a corresponding number of envelopes, such as the envelope304for example, are stored in a lower portion504. In various other embodiments, the portion for holding the envelopes may be above or next to the portion of the assembly for holding the gift cards.

In one embodiment, the gift cards105may be held individually in separate positions, as shown inFIG. 31. In various other embodiments, however, two or more gift cards may be stacked in the upper portion500. For example, the gift cards105may be stacked such that only the topmost card is visible. In another example, the gift cards105may be in a fanned stack arrangement such that the topmost card is visible while only a portion of one or more remaining cards is visible. Other arrangements for displaying the gift cards105may also be used.

As shown inFIGS. 33 and 34, a clamshell cover506similar to the clamshell cover400shown inFIGS. 29 and 30, including similar coplanar projections402A-D and fold lines403A-D, may be engaged to the card holder assembly100. The clamshell cover includes one or more distinct card holding portions508and an envelope holding portion510. As shown in one embodiment, the envelope holding portion510is typically larger to accommodate a stack of envelopes corresponding to each gift card. However, in other embodiments, the envelopes may be a held separately, in a fanned stack arrangement, or in a fanned arrangement. Moreover, in yet another embodiment, the envelope may be dimensioned to hold two or more gift cards105, such that the number of envelops provided with the card holder assembly100may be less than the number of gift cards.

FIGS. 35 and 36depict components of another embodiment of a single-activation card holder assembly. The backer panel410defines an opening411for single activation, wherein a single activation indicia is used to active gift cards that may be attached to the backer panel.FIG. 36depicts a clamshell cover412that may be adhered to a backer panel. As shown, the clamshell cover412may define a gift card holding region414, an envelope holding region416, and a peripheral region414about the periphery of the clamshell cover that may receive an adhesive for attachment to the backer panel410.

FIGS. 37-41depict another embodiment of a card holder assembly600. The card holder assembly600is similar to the card holder assembly500ofFIGS. 31-34. However, the envelopes604of this embodiment are shaped like a bag, such as a purse or gift bag, as shown inFIGS. 38-39. In one aspect, the bag-shaped envelopes604are formed from a planar material605, including but not limited to paper, cardstock, plastic, or any other suitable materials, that is cut and scored or folded to form a bag-shape.FIGS. 40-41depict a clamshell cover600similar to the clamshell covers400and506. The clamshell cover600includes a gift card holding portion608and an envelope holding portion610. The envelope holding portion610is dimensioned to receive the bag-shaped envelopes604.

FIG. 42depicts a backer panel700that defines an opening702for single activations, wherein a single activation indicia is used to active all of the gift card, such as gift cards105, that may be attached to the backer panel.FIG. 43depicts a clamshell cover704that may be adhered to the backer panel700. As shown, the clamshell cover704may define one or more card holding portions706, an envelope holding portion708, and a peripheral region710about the periphery of the clamshell cover that may receive an adhesive for attachment to the backer panel700.FIG. 44is a cross-sectional view of the clamshell cover704as view along line44-44inFIG. 43.

FIG. 45depicts an example assembly process for providing a card holder assembly800, such as card holder assemblies100,400,500, and600, among others. As shown, one or more gift cards802and envelopes804are arranged and placed between a clamshell cover806, having regions dimensioned to hold gift cards and envelopes,807and809, respectively, and a backer panel808. As shown the backer panel808is configured for single activation by defining an opening810where activation indicia on one of the gift cards may be accessible through the opening. The clamshell cover806may be attached to the backer panel808through any suitable arrangement including but not limited to an adhesive, stables, or by folding a portion of the clamshell portion to surround and engage a portion of the backer panel.

It should be appreciated that the holder assembly and its associated structures may be constructed in various shapes and forms and may bear various graphics and designs while maintaining the general structure and functionality described herein. For example, in various embodiments, the activation indicia may be printed on or affixed directly to the backer panel.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations from the specific embodiments disclosed above are contemplated by the invention. The following invention should not be restricted to the above embodiments, but should be measured by the following claims.