Abstract:
An ovoid container for holding one or more transaction cards, such as gift cards, that includes a distinctive size and shape to attract attention. The ovoid container is dimensioned to receive and securely hold a transaction card. The exterior surface of the container is a distinctive color, such as gold, to identify the container as a coveted prize at an Easter egg hunt or other game.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/081,819, entitled “An Ovoid Container For Holding A Transaction Card” filed on Nov. 15, 2013, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/727,613 entitled “ Egg-Shaped Container For Holding A Gift Card” filed on Nov. 16, 2012, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD AND BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to transaction card holders and more particularly to an ovoid device for holding a transaction card, such as a gift card, that is well suited for presentation during a relevant holiday or occasion. 
         [0003]    Transaction cards, stored value cards, or gift cards, as they are commonly called based upon their intended use, have become popular gifts. Typically, gift cards are a stored value card whereby a cash equivalent value is associated with a code or other data stored upon a machine readable portion of the card, such as magnetic strip. In one aspect, the cash equivalent value may be determined by the vendor prior to packaging and display for sale; while in another aspect, the cash equivalent value is determined at the point of sale by the purchaser and associated with the purchased card. 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, may not be perceived as special or coveted by a recipient. 
         [0004]    Moreover, holidays and other events may be occasions for gift giving, games, and entertainment. For example, when celebrating the holiday of Easter, Easter egg hunts are common. Although gift cards have become common gift items, they have not been readily incorporated into an Easter egg hunt or placed within eggs used during the hunt, as these eggs are commonly too small to hold a standard-sized gift card within. In addition, due to the relatively high value of a gift card relative to other items that might be placed into an Easter egg for use in an Easter egg hunt, it would be advantageous if a plastic egg specially designed to hold a gift card could also be visually distinctive and more prominent to readily identify it as a desirable or coveted prize in the hunt or game. 
         [0005]    Therefore, a need exists for a gift card container or holder designed to appear as a traditional Easter egg container yet suitable to hold a gift card within and to visually identify the container as a coveted prize. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The purpose of this invention is to provide an egg-shaped or ovoid card container or holder for holding a transaction card, such as a gift card. An ovoid card container or holder may include an elongated top portion and a relatively shorter bottom portion cooperating when fitted to one another to close the container and to form together a hollow, generally ovoid-shaped main body. The top portion and bottom portion each comprise a curved, generally parabolic, and relatively thin wall defining a circular opening. The opening of the bottom portion comprises a male coupling including a flange of reduced diameter relative to the proximate wall of the bottom portion. The opening of the top portion comprises a female coupling including a flange contiguous with and of a slightly larger diameter than the proximate wall of the top portion. It should be appreciated that while not typical the top portion may include the male coupling and the bottom portion may include the female coupling. The outer surfaces of the main body include a distinctive coloration, such as a metallic gold, to render the ovoid card container more noticeable and to increase the perception of value to the observer. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, a transaction card holder assembly includes an ovoid main body that further includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a sidewall and an opening while the second portion also has a sidewall and an opening. The first portion is removably engaged to the second portion to form an interior chamber that has dimensions suitable to receive and retain a transaction card therein. The exterior surface of the ovoid body is also golden in color. 
         [0008]    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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an ovoid card container according to one embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the ovoid card container of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the ovoid card container of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the ovoid card container of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the top portion of an ovoid card container according to one embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the bottom portion of an ovoid card container according to one embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an elevation view of an example transaction card with exemplary dimensions according to one embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view of an ovoid card container showing exemplary dimensions according to one embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of an ovoid card container showing exemplary dimensions according to one embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an ovoid card container showing the top portion separated from the bottom portion to reveal a transaction card disposed within the container according to one embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  are elevation diagrams showing a front surface and a side edge, respectively, of a transaction card disposed within an ovoid card container according to one embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is cross-sectional view of a the ovoid card container with a transaction card disposed therein as viewed along line A-A of  FIG. 11B , according to one embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is elevation view of an ovoid card container disposed within packaging having a transparent window in a front panel thereof according to one embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the ovoid card container and packaging of  FIG. 13  according to one embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is elevation view of an ovoid card container disposed within packaging having an upwardly extended header portion and a transaction card mounted on a backer panel attached to the header portion according to one embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the ovoid card container and packaging of  FIG. 15  according to one embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is an elevation view of a bubble pack holding a plurality of ovoid card containers each paired with a transaction card according to one embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the ovoid card container and packaging of  FIG. 17  according to one embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of an ovoid card container disposed within packaging having a transparent window in a front panel thereof according to one embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  is an elevation view of an ovoid card container disposed within clear polybag packaging having a folded cardstock header according to one embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  is an end view of the folded cardstock header of  FIG. 20  as view along line B-B, according to one embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of an ovoid card container containing a transaction card according to one embodiment. 
           [0031]      FIG. 23  is an elevation view of a transaction card positioned within the bottom portion of an ovoid card container. 
           [0032]      FIG. 24  is a top-down view of the ovoid card container and transaction card of  FIG. 23 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of an ovoid card container as seen along line C-C of  FIG. 24 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view of an ovoid card container as seen along line D-D of  FIG. 24 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]    The present disclosure generally relates to an ovoid shaped container specifically sized and configured to a transaction card, also referred to herein as a gift card. In one embodiment, the ovoid container is suited to hold a transaction card that is a prize for a game, puzzle, or scavenger hunt, including an Easter egg hunt. As such, the ovoid container can hold the transaction card securely once placed therein. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 1-12  are illustrations of one or more embodiments of an ovoid transaction card container or holder  100  for holding a transaction card, such as a gift card  150  shown in  FIG. 7 . A perspective view and an elevation view of the ovoid card container  100  are shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , respectively. In one embodiment, the ovoid card container  100  includes a main body  110  that is formed from an elongated top portion  120  and a bottom portion  130  that are removably engaged to one another. As shown, the ovoid card container  100  is substantially symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis  140  and does not possess distinct front, rear or side surfaces about the axis  140 . 
         [0037]    A top down plan view of the ovoid container  100  is shown in  FIG. 3 , while,  FIG. 4  depicts a bottom plan view of the container. The broken lines  142  are provided as exemplary contour lines to illustrate the relative curvature for one embodiment of the top portion  120  and the bottom portion  130 . The top portion  120  and the bottom portion  130  may include one or more openings  144 - 146 , and recess  148 . In one aspect, the openings  144 - 146  and recess  148  may be formed during the manufacturing process. In another aspect, the openings  144  and  146  are provided to aid in the separation of the portions  120  and  130  once joined. 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the top portion  120 . In one embodiment, the top portion  120  is generally defined by the curved surface or wall  121  of an elliptic paraboloid and defines a hollow interior space  124 .  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the bottom portion  130  of the container  100 . In one embodiment, the bottom portion  130  is generally defined by the curved surface  131  of another elliptic paraboloid and defines another hollow interior space  134 . The curved surfaces  121  and  131  of the top portion  120  and bottom portion  130 , respectively, each form relatively thin walls  123  and  133  that define respective circular openings,  126  and  136  respectively. The walls  123  and  133  are thin relative to the height and width of the respective main body portions  120  and  130 . 
         [0039]    The opening  136  of the bottom portion  130  defines a male coupling arrangement  137  that includes a flange  138 A and a lip  138 B. The flange  138 A has a diameter D 1  that is less than the diameter D 2  of the wall  133  proximate to the opening  136 , while the lip  138 B has a diameter D 3  that is approximately equal to or greater than the diameter D 2 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the opening  126  of the top portion  120  defines a female coupling arrangement  127  that includes a flange  128 A and an annular recess  128 B. The flange  128 A is contiguous with the wall  123  and has a diameter D 4  that is greater than the diameter D 5  of the wall  123  proximate to the female coupling arrangement. In one aspect, the diameter D 4  is greater due, at least in part, to the curvature of the wall  123  and expanding diameter of the top portion  120  as it progresses toward the opening  126 . 
         [0040]    The top portion  120  and bottom portion  130  cooperatively engage when fitted to one another to close the container  100  and to form together a hollow, generally ovoid shaped main body  110  as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . In particular, the lip  138 B is received in the annular recess  128 B, as the exterior surface of the flange  138 A of the bottom portion  130  slidably engages the interior surface of the top portion flange  128 A. 
         [0041]    The outer surfaces of each portion  120  and  115  and, therefore, the main body  110 , may include a distinctive coloration, to render the ovoid card container more noticeable and to increase the perception of value to the observer. For example, the exterior surfaces  122 A and  132 A of the ovoid container may be a golden color. In one aspect, the exterior surfaces  122 A and  132 A have a metallic golden color, while in other aspects, the golden surfaces have other finishes, including but not limited to matte, glossy, reflective, or iridescent. Additionally, the exterior surfaces  122 A and  132 A of the ovoid container  100  may be another color or multiple colors. 
         [0042]      FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of an exemplary transaction card  150 , such as a gift card, showing typical dimensions for a common transaction card. As shown, a typical transaction card  150  has four corners  152 ,  154 ,  156 , and  158 , a length of approximately 3.375 inches along the longitudinal axis  151 , and a width of approximately 2.125 inches along the transverse axis  153 . The transaction card  150  is shown, as it would be held in one embodiment of the ovoid container  100 . In particular, the longitudinal axis  151  of the card is vertically oriented and the transverse axis  153  of the card is horizontally oriented. 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view of one embodiment of the ovoid card container  100  that also includes exemplary dimensions for the container. In particular, the main body  110  has a length of about 4.470 inches along the longitudinal axis  140 , while the bottom portion  130  has a length of approximately 1.8 inches along the longitudinal axis. 
         [0044]      FIG. 9  is an elevation view of the bottom portion of the ovoid card container  100  as viewed along the longitudinal axis. As shown in one embodiment, the bottom portion  130  has a radius of approximately 1.6 inches radius from the center  160  of the bottom portion that is aligned with the longitudinal axis  140  to the outermost edge  162  of the main body  110 . In one aspect, the outer most edge  162  of the main body  110  corresponds to the juncture  164  of the top portion  120  and bottom portion  130 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . The exemplary dimensions of the main body  110 , top portion  120  and bottom portion  130 , as described herein are provided for embodiments of the ovoid container  100  that preferably hold and retain a transaction card  150  of typical dimensions with no gap or with a minimal gap or clearance between the corners  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158  of the card  150  and the interior surfaces  122 B and  132 B of the top portion  120  and the bottom portion, respectively. 
         [0045]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an ovoid card container  100  showing the top portion  120  separated from the bottom portion  130  to reveal a transaction card  150  disposed within the main body  110  of the container  100 . The transaction card  150  contacts the interior surface of the bottom portion  130 . As shown, the top portion  120  is positioned above the card  150  and bottom portion  130 , and aligned for engaging the top portion  120  with the bottom portion  130 . 
         [0046]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  are illustrations of an embodiment of the ovoid container  100  when closed and containing a transaction card  150  therein. Similarly, FIG.  12  is a cross-sectional view of the ovoid container  100 , viewed along cross-sectional line A-A, as shown in  FIG. 11B . In one embodiment, the transaction card  150 , when disposed within the ovoid card container  100 , may maintain a minimal gap  166  between one or more of the corners  152  and  154 , of the card  150  and the interior surface  122 B of the top portion  120 . When resting within the main body  110 , the card  150  is in contact with the interior surface  132 B of the bottom portion  130  at one or more corners, such as the corner  156  and the corner  158 , when in an upright orientation. As such, the ovoid container  100  may hold the transaction card  150  in a static position securely and prevent the transaction card from excessive motion or jostling that may damage the card. In various other embodiments, the interior surfaces  122 B and  132 B of the respective top portion  120  and bottom portion  130 , or both portions, includes one or more projections, set-offs, or tabs  135  that may engage the transaction card  150 . 
         [0047]    In various embodiments, the transaction card  150  is automatically oriented into the vertical position, shown in  FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 12 , when the top portion  120  is engaged to the bottom portion  130 . In particular, as one or more of the transaction card corners  152  and  155  engage the interior surface  122 B of the top portion  120 , the corners slide along the interior surface as the transaction card pivots about one or more of the lower corners  156  and  158 , or a line formed by the lower corners, until the transaction card assumes the vertical position relative to the ovoid container  100  as shown. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 22-26  illustrate yet another embodiment of the ovoid container  100 . As shown, the ovoid contain  100  may retain a transaction card  150  in a vertical orientation. The transaction card is contacted within the bottom portion  130  of the container  100  by at least one and preferably two or more retention tabs  602  and  604  integral with or otherwise engaged to the interior surface  132 B of the bottom portion, shown in  FIG. 6 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 24-26 , the retention tabs  602  and  604  are attached to the bottom potion  130  and project upward into the interior of the container  100 .  FIG. 25  is a partial cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the ovoid container  100  of  FIG. 24  as viewed along line C-C. Similarly,  FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the ovoid container  100  of  FIG. 24  as viewed along line D-D. As shown, the retention tabs  602  and  604  engage opposing faces  606  and  608  of the transaction card  150 . In embodiments having a single retention tab  602 , the retention tab contacts a single face  606  or  608  of the transaction card  150 , while the interior surface  122 B of the top portion, shown in  FIG. 5 , contacts the card at the opposite end to maintain the vertical orientation. 
         [0049]    In one embodiment, the retention tabs  602  and  604  may be spaced apart to loosely engage the transaction card  150 . In another embodiment, the retention tabs  602  and  604  are resilient and the distance between the tabs is less than or equal to the thickness of the transaction card  150 , such that the transaction card is retained in a friction fit or, alternatively, a compressive-fit engagement between the retention tabs, as shown in  FIG. 26 . While the retention tabs  602  and  604  are shown having a width less than the width of the transaction card as measured along the transverse axis  153  shown in  FIG. 7 , in other embodiments, the retention tabs may extend the full width of the transaction card  150  or beyond. For example, the retention tabs may span the full diameter of the bottom portion  130 . Additionally, the retention tabs  602  and  604  may extend from the interior surface  132 B of the bottom portion  130 , a lessor distance or alternatively, a greater distance than shown. 
         [0050]    In various embodiments, one or more complementary upper retention tabs (not shown) may be formed within the top portion  120  to engage the opposite end of the transaction card when the top portion is mated with the bottom portion. In one example, a retention tab, such as tab  602  in the bottom portion  130 , and a single upper retention tab (not shown) may contact the opposite faces of the transaction card. 
         [0051]    The ovoid container  100  may be displayed and sold at retail locations individually or in conjunction with one or more transaction cards.  FIGS. 13 and 14  are illustrations of an ovoid card container  100  disposed within a packaging unit  200 . In one embodiment, the packaging unit  200  is a sealable container, such as a cardboard or cardstock box, among others, that includes a one or more transparent viewing windows  202 . The transparent window  202  is defined by an aperture in a front panel  204  of the container and a transparent or at least translucent material, including but not limited to a transparent polymer sheet or film. In this embodiment, the transaction card  150  is removably mounted on a header portion  206  extending upward from a packaging container portion  208  of the packaging unit  200 . Once purchased, the ovoid card container  100  is removed from the packaging unit  200  and the transaction card  150  is removed from the header portion  206  for placement therein. For example, the ovoid container  100  is opened by separating the top portion  120  from the bottom portion  130  and at least a portion of the transaction card  150  is placed inside the bottom portion  130 . The ovoid container is closed by placing the top portion  120  over the bottom portion  130  and engaging the two portions. As previously described, the transaction card  150  may be automatically aligned in a vertical position as the two body portions  120  and  130  are brought together. Once the ovoid container  100  is closed with the transaction card  150  placed therein, the ovoid container may be given to a gift recipient or more typically, used as a prize to be coveted in an Easter egg hunt or a scavenger hunt. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 15 and 16  depict another embodiment of a retail packaging unit  220  for displaying and selling the ovoid container. As shown the packaging unit  220  includes elongated header portion  222  that extends away from a packaging container portion  224  of the unit. The header portion  222  is engaged to a transaction card assembly  230  that includes transaction card  150  mounted on a backer panel  232 . In one embodiment, the transaction card assembly  230  may include one or more transaction cards engaged to a backer panel that is typically configured for sale independent of the ovoid container. By way of example, the backer panel  206  and the mounted transaction card may be affixed to the header portion  222  at the retail location. For example, the transaction card assembly  230  may be attached to the elongated header portion  222  via a tab, loop of material  233 , or any other suitable mechanism. As such, the retail packaging unit  220  and the transaction card assembly  230  may be prepared by separate vendors. In another example, the transaction card assembly and the retail packaging unit  150  may be assembled before distribution to retail locations. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 17 and 18  depict another embodiment of a retail packaging unit  300  for holding multiple ovoid card containers  100  and a corresponding number of transaction cards  150 . In one aspect, the retail packaging unit  300  includes a main panel portion  302  that defines openings  304  A-C for receiving the ovoid containers  100 . The ovoid containers may be retained by any suitable mechanism including but not limited to a clear polymer-based clamshell arrangement  306  that is further engaged to or between portions of the main panel  302 . In another embodiment, the ovoid containers are secured to the main backer panel within a clear polymer-based bag (“polybag”) that envelops the entire retail packaging unit  300 . 
         [0054]    A number of transaction cards  150  that correspond to the number of ovoid containers  100  are removably mounted to the main panel portion. In one embodiment, the transaction cards  150  are mounted to the main backer panel via a removable adhesive. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 19-20  depict embodiments of other retail package units for various embodiments of the ovoid container  100 . In particular,  FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a of an ovoid card container  100  disposed within a packaging unit  400  similar to the packaging container portion  208  as shown un  FIGS. 13-16 . The packaging unit  400  as depicted is used for the display and sale of the ovoid card container  100  without a transaction card. Similarly,  FIG. 20  is a front elevation view of an ovoid card container  100  disposed within a packaging unit  500  comprising a clear polybag  502 . The container  100  is fully disposed and held within the polybag  502 . In one embodiment, the upper, initially open end  510  of the polybag  502  is secured and held closed by a cardstock header  504  having a front flap  506  hingedly connected to a back flap  508 , as shown in  FIG. 21 . The header  504  receives the end  510  of the bag  502  between the front flap  506  and back flap and the header folded upon one another with the upper end of the polybag  502  disposed and enclosed there between. The front flap  506  and back flap  508  are then stapled or otherwise secured to one another to hold the flaps together in a closed position and retain the polybag  502  between the flaps so that the polybag  502  may be hung upon a display rack (not shown) by an aperture  512  (e.g. sombrero-cut hole) in the header  504 . In another embodiment, the end  510  of the polybag  502  may be stapled, adhered, or otherwise attached and sealed to a header panel  504  of unitary constriction. 
         [0056]    Specific design features of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein were developed to meet a strong but unmet demand by consumers for a distinctive “Easter egg” type of container  100  sized to securely and closely hold a gift card  150  so that the interior walls of the container  100  contact or nearly contact all four corners of the gift card to avoid excessive movement or rattling of the gift card  150  within the container  100 . To assure distinctiveness of the container  100  relative to conventional plastic eggs in the prior art, it is preferred that the container  100  be formed of or coated with a highly distinctive color, and preferred that such color be associated in the mind of the consumer with high value, and further preferred that such color be a metallic gold as such coloration meets the stated preferred criteria. 
         [0057]    It should be appreciated that the main body  110  may be constructed of various types of plastics or of other resilient materials and may bear various graphics and designs while maintaining the general structure and functionality described herein. Certain embodiments of the container  100  and any associated packaging are constructed and assembled to comply with standard space constraints for display upon store racks, and more particularly to not exceed 5.25 inches tall by 4 inches wide. 
         [0058]    It is believed that the present disclosure and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components without departing from the disclosed subject matter or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form described is merely explanatory, and it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes. 
         [0059]    While the present disclosure has been described with reference to various embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the disclosure is not limited to them. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations from the specific embodiments disclosed above are contemplated by the invention. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. More generally, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure have been described in the context of particular implementations. Functionality may be separated or combined in blocks differently in various embodiments of the disclosure or described with different terminology. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims that follow.