Abstract:
A device for freezing a credit card includes a container having a cavity sized to receive the credit card. The device includes a stick including a member for coupling the credit card to the stick. The stick including the credit card is sized to be introduced into the cavity. Liquid is introduced into the cavity and the device is placed in a cold environment to allow the liquid to freeze about the stick and the credit card.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Debt can be a significant problem for many individuals. For example, an individual can use one or more credit cards to make purchases that place the individual in debt without the individual realizing the extent of the debt. The ease with which credit cards can be used may result in the individual making impulse purchases for which the individual later cannot afford to pay. These activities associated with credit card use can lead to significant financial strain on the individual and can, in severe cases, lead to bankruptcy if the debt cannot be repaid. 
         [0002]    There are, however, significant advantages associated with the use of credit cards. For example, for many individuals, credit cards provide a convenient method for the payment for goods and services. Further, credit cards provide a method of payment for such transactions as online purchases, where the use of other payment methods such as cash or check is not convenient. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Disclosed herein are devices that can be used to freeze one or more credit cards in liquid. 
     
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an example device for freezing credit cards. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  shows another perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  with the cover shown in exploded form and the container illustrated as semi-transparent to show the interior cavity. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the container and the stick of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the cover and the stick of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the container of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the stick of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  shows another perspective view of the stick of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  shows an example method for using a device for freezing credit cards. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  shows an example method for removing a credit card from a device for freezing credit cards. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  shows a front view of another example stick of an example device for freezing credit cards. 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  shows a side view of the stick of  FIG. 10 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  shows another front view of the stick of  FIG. 10  including an example cover. 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  shows another front view of the stick of  FIG. 10  including an example credit card. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0019]    As used herein, the phrase “credit card” (sometimes referred to as a “charge card”) means a device issued by a bank or business authorizing the holder to buy goods or services on credit. The phrase credit card encompasses cards sometimes referred to as “debit cards,” as well as any other similar financial devices. Typically, but not always, a credit card is a card that includes a magnetic strip. 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an example device  100  is shown. Device  100  includes a container  110 , a cover  130 , and a stick  150 . Device  100  can be used to freeze a credit card in a liquid, as described further below. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  5 , container  110  includes a plurality of sides, a top surface  112 , and a bottom surface  117 . Device  110  includes an opening  113  formed in top surface  112  that is in communication with a cavity  114  formed within container  110 . Cavity  114  includes a bottom  115  and is formed as a fluid tight enclosure so that liquid can be retained therein. In one example, cavity  114  is shaped to generally form a mold so that liquid that is frozen within cavity  114  takes the form of a frozen treat on a stick. For example, bottom surface  117  is generally curved to form the contour of the frozen treat. Other shapes for cavity  114  can be used. For example, in one alternative embodiment, bottom surface  117  of cavity  114  can be shaped to form a flat surface. 
         [0022]    In example embodiments, cavity  114  is sized to receive one or more credit cards. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, container  110  has a width  116  of approximately 6.9 cm, a depth  118  of approximately 4 cm, and a height  120  of approximately 11.6 cm. Cavity  114  formed within container has a width  122  of approximately 5.4 cm, and a height  123  of approximately 10.3 cm. Other shapes and sizes for container  110  can be used. For example, in alternative embodiments, container  110  can include more or fewer sides and can form cavities of different sizes and shapes. For example, in one alternative embodiment, cavity  114  can be made larger so that cavity  114  holds more liquid that takes longer to thaw when frozen, as described further below. In another alternative embodiment, cavity  114  can be made larger to accommodate more than one credit card. 
         [0023]    In example embodiments, container  110  is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material so that cavity  114  maintains a specified shape, such as a frozen treat, and can hold a liquid. For example, in the embodiment shown, container  110  is made of a rigid plastic. In one embodiment, a metal such as aluminum is used to form container  110 . Other materials, such as plastic (e.g., PVC) or glass, can also be used. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , cover  130  includes an aperture  132  extending through cover  130  to receive stick  150 . In example embodiments, cover  130  includes a lower surface  136  sized to engage surface  112  of container  110  when cover  130  is coupled to container  110 . In example embodiments, cover  130  spans opening  113  in surface  112  of container  110  to form a portion of the frozen treat form defined by cavity  114  when the liquid is frozen therein. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, cover  130  does not necessarily form a fluid tight seal with container  110  and/or stick  150 . For example, in the illustrated embodiments, container  110  can be maintained in an upright position so that liquid within cavity  114  does not spill out of cavity  114 . In alternative embodiments, cover  130  and aperture  132  can be sized to engage surface  112  of container  110  and stick  150 . For example, in one alternative embodiment, lower surface  136  and/or aperture  132  can include one or more seals or gaskets to form fluid tight seals. In this manner, liquid contained with cavity  114  will not spill or leak out of cavity  114  when cover  130  is coupled to container  110  and container  110  is moved from an upright position. 
         [0026]    In example embodiments, cover  130  is made of the same material as container  110 . In other embodiments, cover  130  can be made of other materials as well. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4 ,  6 , and  7 , stick  150  includes first and second ends  152 ,  154 . When stick  150  is placed within cavity  114  of container  110 , second end  154  of stick  150  contacts bottom  115  of cavity  114 . In this position, first end  152  of stick  150  extends out of container  110  and beyond top surface  112 . 
         [0028]    For example, in the illustrated embodiment, stick  150  includes a height  156  of 13.9 cm so that first end  152  extends to a height  157  of 3.6 cm from top surface  112  of container  110  when positioned therein. Other shapes and sizes for stick  150  can be used. For example, in one alternative embodiment, stick  150  is sized to be completed retained within cavity  114  of container  110 . In yet other embodiments, stick  150  can be formed as an integral part of cover  130 . 
         [0029]    In example embodiments, aperture  132  of cover  130  is positioned so that, when stick  150  extends through aperture  132 , stick  150  is generally centered within cavity  114 . In this manner, stick  150  (and the credit card attached thereto as described below) is centered within cavity  114  so that when liquid is introduced into cavity  114  and frozen, stick  150  is centered within the frozen liquid. 
         [0030]    Stick  150  includes clip  170  coupled thereto. Clip  170  is configured to couple one or more credit cards to stick  150  (see, for example,  FIG. 11 ). Clip  170  includes a first end  172  that is coupled to stick  150 . In alternative embodiments, clip  170  can be molded as part of stick  150 . Clip  170  includes a second free end  174  with a projection  176  formed thereon. See  FIG. 7 . A space between projection  176  and stick  150  is sized to be less than the thickness of a credit card. When the credit card is placed between clip  170  and stick  150 , projection  176  engages the credit card and second end  174  of clip  170  bows slightly away from stick  150  so that the credit card is coupled to stick  150  by clip  170 . 
         [0031]    In example embodiments, stick  150  and clip  170  are made of a plastic material. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, stick  150  and clip  170  are made of the same material as that of container  110  and cover  130 . Other materials, such as metal and/or wood materials, can be used. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an example method  200  for using device  100  is as follows. Initially, at operation  210 , a credit card is attached to the stick. For example, the credit card is positioned between the clip and the stick so that the credit card is coupled to the stick. Next, at operation  212 , the stick is placed into the cavity of the container. Next, at operation  214 , the cavity of the container is filled with a liquid. Next, at operation  216 , the cover is placed on the container. Next, at operation  218 , the device is placed in a cold environment, such as the freezer, so that the liquid becomes frozen about the credit card. 
         [0033]    Once frozen, the credit card is positioned in the middle of the frozen liquid so that the frozen liquid minimizes access to the credit card. For example, the individual cannot easily access the credit card within the frozen liquid. In this manner, hasty or impulse purchases cannot easily be made using the credit card when the credit card is frozen in the liquid. 
         [0034]    Method  200  can be altered as desired. For example, the cavity can be filled with liquid before the stick and the credit card are placed within the cavity of the container. In another embodiment, the cover can be coupled to the stick before the stick is placed within the cavity of the container. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an example method  250  for removing the credit card from device  110  is shown. At operation  252 , the cover is removed from the container. Next, at operation  254 , the stick is pulled out of the cavity of the container. For example, the portion of the stick extending out of the container can be grasped and pulled to pull the stick out of the container. Because the liquid is frozen about the stick, the frozen liquid and the credit card that is frozen therein are also pulled out of the cavity when the stick is removed. Next, at operation  256 , the frozen liquid is allowed to thaw. The credit card is removed from the stick at operation  257 . Finally, at operation  258 , once the liquid is thawed, the credit card can be removed from the stick and used. 
         [0036]    In alternative embodiments, the cover need not be removed before the stick is pulled out of the container. In yet other embodiments, the stick need not be pulled out of the container. Instead, the device can simply be moved to a warmer environment so that the frozen liquid thaws so that the credit card can be accessed. 
         [0037]    The time that it takes from the frozen liquid to thaw can be advantageous in that it allows the individual to consider any purchases as the frozen liquid thaws. In this manner, impulse purchasing decisions are minimized, while still allowing the individual to maintain a credit card to take advantage of its benefits. 
         [0038]    In example embodiments, the liquid that is poured into the cavity and frozen is water. In alternative embodiments, other liquids can be used. For example, liquids such as fruit juices and sodas can be used. In the embodiments shown, liquids that will freeze and will not damage the credit cards are selected. In addition, semi-transparent liquids such as water can be used so that the credit card is visible once the credit card is frozen in the liquid. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIGS. 10-13 , an alternative embodiment of a clip  370  is shown. Clip  370  is similar to clip  170  described above, except that a first end  372  that is coupled to stick  150  is positioned adjacent to second end  154  of clip  150  (rather than first end  152 ). A second end  374  of clip  370  is spaced apart from stick  150  so that a credit card  410  can be positioned between stick  150  and clip  370 . The space between stick  150  and clip  370  is sized so that an interference fit is created when credit card  410  is placed therein. 
         [0040]    In yet other embodiments, other methods can be used to couple the credit card to the stick. For example, in another embodiment, an adhesive is used to couple the credit card to the stick. In another embodiment, a band such as a rubber band is used to couple the credit card to the stick. Other configurations are possible. 
         [0041]    In yet another alternative embodiment, the stick need not be used to hold the credit card. Instead, one or more structures can be provided within the cavity of the container to hold the credit card in place generally within the center of the cavity. 
         [0042]    In alternative embodiments, a sheath can be placed around the credit card before the credit card is attached to the stick to protect the credit card from the liquid. In one example, the sheath is made of a plastic that is at least semi-transparent. In this manner, once the credit card is frozen within the liquid and the frozen liquid is removed from the container, the credit card can be seen through the frozen liquid and the sheath (assuming that the liquid that is used is at least semi-transparent, such as water). In another alternative embodiment, the sheath can be partially or fully opaque so that the credit card cannot be seen through the sheath. 
         [0043]    The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limiting. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure or the following claims.