Patent Publication Number: US-7219829-B2

Title: Carrier which is aesthetically irreversibly convertible from planar blank to closed package for coded card and methods for manufacture and use of the same

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
   This patent application claims the benefit of the filing date of provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/436,300 filed 24 Dec. 2002 in the name of Tracey Treat and entitled “CARRIER WHICH IS AESTHETICALLY IRREVERSIBLY CONVERTIBLE FROM PLANAR BLANK TO CLOSED PACKAGE FOR CODED CARD AND METHOD FOR USE OF SAME”; the priority claim is made under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to packaging and carriers for coded cards, such as phone cards, bank cards, credit cards, debit cards and other merchant-specific cards. 
   Coded cards are well-known and widely used for a variety of purposes, examples being credit cards, debit cards, rental cards, bank cards and the like. In more a recent application of coded cards, such cards are used to secure or extend credit for prepaid products or services. Examples of this are phone cards. The phone card carries a pre-paid amount of credit which the card user, typically the bearer, exhausts as the card user makes telephone calls using the phone card. 
   Pre-paid gift cards have exploded in popularity and carry with them an amount of pre-paid credit for which the donor has typically paid. Such gift cards represent a cash equivalent when the pre-paid gift card is presented by the donor to a donee. 
   Whatever the type of pre-paid coded card, to reduce the risk of theft, such cards sold in a retail environment are stored or displayed with the cards being inactive. These so-called “pre-paid” cards require activation before the card may be used. Desirably, card activation is performed at the time the card is purchased. Activation is typically performed by machine-reading a unique identification number encoded on the card, with the machine-reading being performed at the point-of-sale of the coded card. Typically a unique identification number for the card is stored on a magnetic strip or as part of a bar code which is printed on or otherwise permanently attached to the rear of the card. 
   The card identification number is read by the card reader machine as the portion of the card where the magnetic strip or bar code is located is brought into proximity with the card reader. This is typically done by passing the card portion on which the magnetic strip or bar code is located along a reading head of a card reader machine which magnetically or optically senses the unique identification number encoded in the magnetic strip or bar code associated with that card. During the card activation process the card usually, but not always, remains attached to a cardboard carrier via which the card is displayed in the retail environment. The card reader machine transmits the unique identification number which has been read for the particular card to a central computer, which typically is remotely located relative to the point-of-sale locale of the card. The computer “activates” the card by accessing account information corresponding to the card number, which account information is stored within the central computer, and “opening” the account for that particular card. Once the card has been “activated” in this manner, the bearer of the card can purchase goods or services, using the card as cash, in an amount equal to the value which has been assigned to the account associated with the card. Whenever the card is used, the central computer debits the account corresponding to the card until the value of the account for the card is zero. At that point the account is closed or otherwise inactivated and the card can no longer be used. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,909 discloses packaging for holding a coded card in a manner that even though the card is retained by the packaging, a data-encoded strip, such as a magnetic strip or a bar code, is exposed. The package includes a first panel and a retainer securing the card to the panel so that while the card is secured to the panel, a portion of the card extends beyond the panel edge, exposing the magnetic strip or bar code. In this manner the magnetic strip or bar code of the card may be read by a machine reader without removing the card from the packaging. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,909 further discloses a method for activating a so-called “metered” account which is associated with the unique personal identification number of the card, where the personal identification number is affixed to a coded card. In the practice of the method, a control number is read from the magnetic strip or bar code of the card as the card remains secured to a panel of the carrier. A portion of the card extends beyond the carrier panel edge so as to expose the magnetic strip or bar code for reading by a machine reader thereby to activate the metered account. 
   In both the method and apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,909, the coded card is affixed to the carrier panel portion with the card edge extending beyond the edge of the carrier panel; the card remains affixed to the carrier panel while the card is read and hence activated. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,206 discloses a wallet card package for a coded card in which the coded card is secured to a panel portion of the package, where the panel portion of the package includes a card carrying flap which pivots about a fold line. The coded card is secured to and carried by the card carrying flap so that the so-called “package” for the card, which essentially consists of only a flat sheet, is selectably convertible, by movement of the card carrying flap, from a closed position at which a magnetic strip on the card is covered, to an open position at which the card may be swung out from the “package”, while remaining secured to the card carrying flap, in order expose the magnetic strip so the coded card and the account associated therewith may be activated. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,206 discloses several configurations of such a package, in all of which the coded card remains affixed to the card carrying flap so that the coded card may “flip” or hinge out from between front and rear panels, which constitute the “package” or sheet, for point-of-sale activation, while the card remains secured to the package. The &#39;206 coded card is secured to and carried by the card carrying flap such that the coded card moves with the flap, as taught by U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,206 at column 2, lines 34 through 43. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,206, the coded card and the card carrying flap on which the coded card is mounted can be swung pivotally back into the card carrying flap closed position, at which the magnetic strip cannot be accessed, after the magnetic strip has been read. This return to the closed position with such pivotal action allegedly provides protection for the coded card, as asserted at column 3, lines 13 through 16 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,206. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one of its aspects this invention provides a carrier for a coded card. The carrier is desirably initially substantially configured in the form of a preferably substantially planar blank which serves initially as a display for the coded card; the blank preferably is substantially aesthetically irreversibly convertible into a card-enclosing aesthetically pleasing package, most desirably a gift package. In this aspect of the invention the carrier in the form of the blank serves as a display which prior to package conversion is essentially planar with the blank serving as the display being somewhat flexible, but not easily bendable while yet being somewhat stiff and a little rigid and preferably laminated with plastic on at least one side. The base material of the blank is preferably non-corrugated, single thickness cardboard or paperboard, preferably in the range of about 0.020 to 0.050 inches thick. 
   In this aspect of the invention, the blank (serving as the display), preferably includes a first panel of generally rectangular configuration, a pair of foldable flaps connecting to the first panel preferably oppositely one from another along fold lines which define segments of respective longitudinally elongated edges of the first panel. The flaps are preferably adapted to fold towards one another along the fold lines thereby to overlie respective portions of the rear surface of the first panel. 
   The carrier, whether in the planar blank or card-display configuration, preferably further includes and exhibits a lower panel of generally rectangular configuration which preferably connects to the first panel along a fold line defining juncture therebetween. The lower panel is adapted to fold, preferably subsequently to the flaps folding, along the associated lower panel-first panel juncture-defining fold line, with the lower panel folding being back and upwardly towards to the first panel in order that the rear surface of the lower panel may facingly overlie the rear surface of the first panel and the folded pair of flaps which preferably already overlie respective parts of the rear surface of the first panel. When the lower panel is folded in this manner, the lower panel, the two folded flaps and a part of the rear surface of the first panel define a card receptacle pocket in the space between the (now) mutually facing rear surfaces of the first and lower panel. The lower panel may further include an aperture therethrough, proximate or just below the center of the lower panel, once the lower panel has been folded upwardly into position. 
   In this aspect of the invention, the carrier preferably yet further includes an upper panel of generally rectangular configuration which connects to the first panel along a fold line defining juncture therebetween. The upper panel is preferably adapted to fold along the associated upper panel—first panel juncture-defining fold line towards the rear surface of the first panel, after the folding of the lower panel into position with the rear surface of the lower panel facing the rear surface of the first panel. In this manner the upper panel overlies a part of what was the front surface of the lower panel, preferably between the aperture (in the embodiment in which an aperture is provided) and a free edge of the lower panel (which defined the lower extremity of the carrier prior to folding). 
   The upper panel preferably further includes a tab positioned along and extending from an upper edge extremity of the upper panel defined by the horizontal or transversely extending fold line which in turn defines juncture of the upper and first panels. The tab is preferably adapted for preferably interfering insertion into the aperture in the lower panel after first folding of the lower panel into position in mutually facing rear surface relationship with the first panel and after second folding of the upper panel to overlie the part of the lower panel between the aperture (in the embodiment in which an aperture is provided) and the lower panel free edge which had defined the front surface of and a lower extremity of the lower panel and hence of the carrier prior to folding. 
   Insertion of the tab into the aperture serves to interferingly retain the upper and lower panels in closely facing engagement one with another thereby to define a gift package retaining therewithin any coded or other card or object which may reside in the receptacle pocket formed by the now-folded flaps, the now-folded lower panel and the lower part of the rear surface of the first panel. 
   The carrier preferably further includes a preferably co-planar apertured hang panel connecting to the upper panel along a manually separable perforate line defining the upper edge extremity of the upper panel. The apertured hang panel is adapted to be removed and discarded before converting the blank into the card-enclosing gift package, and preferably includes a punch-out encircled blank which can be manually removed in order that the carrier may be displayed by being hung from a horizontal hanger rod in a retail environment. When displayed by hanging in the retail environment, the carrier is in the planar disposition since the hangtag is still affixed to the upper panel, thereby precluding the upper panel from being folded as the final step in forming the three dimensional gift package. 
   Most desirably, the flaps and the lower panel are folded into position and may be adhered with temporary or permanent adhesive, to form a receptacle into which the coded card may be placed after the card has been removed from the front of the carrier and activated by store sales personnel. Further desirably, the flaps and lower panel have been folded into position and the adhesive applied to form the card receptacle prior to the carrier, desirably having an unactivated coded card affixed to the carrier front surface, being put on display in the retail environment. 
   In another aspect of the invention there is provided a planar carrier for a coded card which is convertible from a flat blank into a three-dimensional card-enclosing gift package. The carrier includes a blank which prior to package conversion is preferably essentially planar. The blank preferably comprises a first panel and foldable flaps connected to the first panel along fold lines defining respective edges of the first panel. The flaps are adapted to fold towards one another along the fold lines to overlie a rear surface of the first panel. When the carrier is in the planar configuration, prior to conversion into the three-dimensional gift package, a coded card is preferably removably secured to the front surface of the first panel or, alternatively and most preferably, to the front surface of the upper panel. 
   In this aspect of the invention the blank preferably further includes a lower panel connecting to the first panel along a fold line defining juncture therebetween with the lower panel being adapted to fold along the associated juncture-defining fold line upwardly to facingly overlie the rear surface of the first panel and the flaps. This defines a card receptacle pocket between the now mutually facing surfaces of the first and lower panels, with the lower panel optionally having an aperture therethrough. Adhesive is preferably used to secure the lower panel to the flaps. 
   The blank preferably further includes an upper panel connecting to the first panel along the fold line defining juncture therebetween and being adapted to fold towards the rear surface of the first panel to overlie at least the part of the lower panel between the aperture, if an aperture is provided, and an upper edge of the lower panel. The upper panel preferably includes a tab adapted for interfering insertion into the aperture in the lower panel after folding of the lower panel into facing relationship with the first panel and after folding of the upper panel to overlie part of the lower panel. Tab insertion serves to retain the upper and lower panels in closely facing engagement one with another thereby to retain within the resulting substantially closed three-dimensional package any card, most desirably a coded card which has been manually removed (if necessary) from the front surface of the upper panel, activated by store personnel and placed into the receptacle, residing within the receptacle pocket. 
   In another one of its aspects this invention provides a planar carrier for a coded card which is substantially aesthetically irreversibly convertible from a substantially two-dimensional blank into a two-dimensional blank into a three-dimensional card—enclosing gift package manufactured according to a specific series of steps, where the planar carrier includes a blank which prior to package conversion is essentially planar with the blank being essentially rigid and laminated with plastic on at least one side and where the blank further includes a first panel of generally rectangular configuration. 
   The blank preferably further includes a pair of foldable flaps connecting to the first panel oppositely one from another along fold lines defining portions of respective longitudinally elongated edges of the first panel with the flaps being adapted to fold towards one another along the fold lines to thereby overlie respective portions of a rear surface of the first panel. The blank preferably further includes a lower panel of generally rectangular configuration connecting to the first panel along the fold line defining juncture therebetween with the lower panel being adapted to fold subsequently to the flaps along the associated juncture-defining fold line upwardly to facingly overlie the rear surface of the first panel and the folded pair of flaps overlying respective parts of the rear surface of the first panel to define a card receptacle pocket and space between the now mutually facing surfaces of the first and lower panels with the lower panels having an aperture therethrough approximate the center of the lower panel. 
   The blank further includes an upper panel portion of generally rectangular configuration connecting the first panel portion along a fold line defining the juncture therebetween and being adapted to fold along the associated juncture—defining the fold line towards said rear surface of said first panel portion after folding of said lower panel portion into position facing said first panel portion thereby to overlie a part of said lower panel portion between said aperture and a free edge of said lower panel portion which defines the lower extremity of the blank prior to folding. The upper panel portion preferably includes a tab portion positioned along and extending from an upper edge extremity of said upper panel portion with the tab portion being adapted for interfering insertion into the aperture and the lower panel portion after first folding of the lower panel portion into facing relationship with the first panel portion after second folding of the upper panel portion to overlie the part of the lower panel portion between the aperture and the lower panel portion free edge which had defined the lower extremity of the blank prior to folding to retain the upper and lower panel portions in closely facing engagement one with another thereby to retain therewithin any card residing within the receptacle pocket. 
   The panel preferably further includes a manually detectable apertured hang panel connecting to said upper panel along a manually separable perforate line defining said upper edge extremity of said panel portion. 
   The panel is fabricatingly converted from the substantially two-dimensional blank into a three-dimensional card enclosing gift package according to a method including the steps of folding the pair of foldable flaps connecting to the first panel oppositely one from another along fold lines defining respective portions of respective longitudinally elongated edges of the first panel, with the folding being done towards one another along the fold lines to thereby overlie respective portions of a rear surface of the first panel. The folding further includes folding the lower panel of generally rectangular configuration connecting to the first panel along the fold line defining juncture therebetween subsequently to the flaps along the associated juncture-defining fold line upwardly to facingly overlie the rear surface of the first panel and the folded pair of flaps overlying respective parts of the rear surface of the first panel to define the card receptacle pocket in space between now mutually facing surfaces of the first and lower panels. The folding further includes folding the upper panel portion of generally rectangular configuration along the fold line towards the rear surface of the first panel portion after folding of the lower panel portion into position facing the first panel portion to overlie the lower panel portion between an aperture therein and a free edge of the lower panel portion which defined the lower extremity of the lower panel portion prior to folding. 
   Converting the blank into the three-dimensional card enclosing gift package further includes the step of interferingly inserting the tab into the aperture in the lower panel portion after first folding of the lower panel portion into facing relationship with the first panel portion and after second folding of the upper panel portion to overlie the part of the lower panel portion between the aperture and the lower panel portion free edge which had defined the lower extremity of the lower panel portion prior to folding to retain the upper and lower panel portions in closely facing engagement with one another thereby to retain therewithin any card residing within receptacle pocket. 
   In yet another one of its aspects, this invention provides a planar carrier for a coded card which is convertible from a flat blank to a three-dimensional card enclosing gift package according to a specific series of steps where the carrier includes a blank which prior to package conversion is essentially planar and comprising a first panel, flaps connecting to the first panel and adapted to fold towards one another to overlie a rear surface of the first panel, a lower panel connecting to the first panel along the fold line defining juncture therebetween and being adapted to fold along the associated juncture-defining fold line to facingly overlie the first panel and the flaps to define a card receptacle pocket between the now mutually facing surfaces of the first and lower panels, an upper panel connected to the first panel along a fold line defining juncture therebetween and being adapted to fold towards the rear surface of the first panel to overlie the lower panel, with the upper panel including means for retaining the upper and lower panel in closely facing engagement one with another thereby to retain in a resulting substantially closed three-dimensional package any card residing within what had been the receptacle pocket where the conversion of the two-dimensional flap blank to the three-dimensional card enclosing gift package is performed at least in part by folding a pair of foldable flaps connecting the first panel oppositely one from another along fold lines defining respective portions of respective longitudinally elongated edges of the first panel, with the folding of the flaps being towards one another along the fold lines to thereby overlie respective portions of the rear surface of the first panel. 
   The folding further includes folding a lower panel connecting to the first panel along a fold line defining juncture therebetween subsequently to the flaps being folded along the associated juncture-defining fold line upwardly to facingly overlie the rear surface of the first panel and the folded pair of flaps overlying respective parts of the rear surface of the first panel to define a card receptacle pocket in space between the now mutually facing surfaces of the first and lower panels with the folding yet further including folding the upper panel portion along the fold line towards the rear surface of the first panel portion after folding of the lower panel portion into position facing said first panel portion to overlie a part of said lower panel portion between an aperture therein and a free edge of said lower panel portion which defined the lower extremity of the lower panel prior to folding where the steps for conversion further include interferingly inserting the tabs into the aperture into the lower panel after first folding the lower panel portion into facing relationship with the first panel portion and after second folding of the upper panel portion to overlie the part of the lower panel portion between the aperture and the lower panel portion free edge which had defined the lower extremity of the lower panel portion prior to folding, to retain the upper and lower panel portions in closely facing engagement one with another thereby to retain therewithin any card residing within the receptacle pocket. 
   In the description of the invention the carrier is described as being “aesthetically irreversibly” (sometimes using variants thereof) convertible from the two dimensional blank form into the three dimensional package form. “Aesthetically irreversible” signifies that once the carrier has been converted from the two dimensional blank form into the three dimensional package form, any attempt to re-convert the three dimensional package back into the two dimensional blank will result in a blank which will be wrinkled, unsightly, probably very non-planar, generally not appealing to the eye and essentially unusable in a retail environment as a carrier for a coded card or for anything else. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a carrier for a coded card in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, with the carrier configured as a planar blank, with the drawing looking at the front surface of the blank and with a coded card in position on the front surface of an upper panel portion of the blank and being removably secured to the blank. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of a carrier for a coded card in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, similar to  FIG. 1 , with the carrier configured as a planar blank but without a coded card being present 
       FIG. 3  is a rear view of the carrier for a coded card illustrated in  FIG. 1  with the carrier configured as a planar blank and with identifying information for a coded card, which is positioned on and is removably secured to the front surface of an upper panel portion of the blank as illustrated in dotted lines, being visible through a horizontally elongated aperture in the blank. The illustrated horizontally elongated aperture through which the card identifying information is visible is optional, depending on the legal requirements of the jurisdiction in which the card carrier is sold. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the carrier for a coded card, with the carrier configured as a blank and with a coded card positioned on and removably secured to a front surface of an upper panel portion of the blank, looking from right to left in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the carrier for a coded card, with the carrier configured as a blank and with a coded card positioned on and removably secured to a front surface of an upper panel portion of the blank, looking from left to right in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the carrier for a coded card, with a carrier configured as a blank and with a coded card positioned on and removably secured to a front surface of an upper panel portion of the blank, looking from top to bottom in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the carrier for a coded card, with the carrier configured as a blank and with a coded card positioned on and removably secured to a front surface of an upper panel portion of the blank, looking from bottom to top in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8  is an isometric view, looking at the front surface, of a carrier for a coded card, with a coded card positioned on front surface of an upper panel portion of the blank, as the card might be positioned after being activated (and removed and re-attached to the carrier, if need be) by a retail clerk subsequent to sale, showing a hang panel portion being detached from the remainder of the blank. 
       FIG. 9  is an isometric view, looking at the real surface, of the carrier for a coded card illustrated in  FIG. 8 , having the hang panel removed therefrom and illustrating initial steps for irreversibly aesthetically converting the carrier for the coded card from the two dimensional blank form into the three dimensional card-enclosing package form. 
       FIG. 10  is a front view of a carrier for a coded card in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, with the foldable flaps and the lower portion illustrated in dotted lines as having been folded into position to form a pocket for receipt of a coded card. 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of the carrier for a coded card illustrated in  FIG. 10 , looking from right to left in  FIG. 10 , with the foldable flaps and the lower portion illustrated as having been folded into position to form a pocket for receipt of a coded card. 
       FIG. 12  is an isometric view of the carrier for a coded card illustrated in  FIGS. 8 through 11 , having the hang panel removed therefrom, and illustrating a subsequent step for irreversibly aesthetically converting the carrier from the two dimensional blank form into the three dimensional card-enclosing package form, with a coded card in place in the pocket formed by folding the foldable flaps and the lower portion as illustrated in 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  and with the upper portion folded part way down towards the pocket and the coded card residing therein. 
       FIG. 13  is an isometric view, similar to  FIG. 12 , of the carrier for a coded card illustrating the final step for irreversibly aesthetically converting the carrier for the coded card from the blank form into the three dimensional card-enclosing package form, namely the insertion of the tab connected to the upper portion into the tab-receiving aperture in the lower portion, thereby to form and close the three dimensional card-enclosing package with the coded card resident therewithin. 
       FIG. 14  is a rear view of the carrier for a coded card, illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 13 , in the three dimensional package form with a coded card therewithin. 
       FIG. 15  is a front view of the carrier for a coded card illustrated in  FIG. 14 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING THE BEST MODE KNOWN FOR PRACTICE THEREOF 
   Referring to the drawings in general and to  FIG. 1  in particular, a carrier for a coded card, which carrier is substantially aesthetically irreversibly convertible from a substantially two dimensional blank into a three-dimensional card enclosing gift package, is designated generally  10  and serves as a carrier for a coded card designated generally  12 . Carrier  10  includes a blank designated generally  14  which prior to package conversion of the carrier is essentially planar, as is apparent from  FIGS. 1 through 8 . Blank  14  is preferably essentially rigid cardboard, paperboard or a material-like cardboard and is further preferably laminated with plastic or some other transparent protective coating on least one side of blank  14 . 
   Blank  14  further includes a first panel designated generally  22  which is preferably of generally rectangular configuration as shown in  FIG. 1 . Blank  14  further preferably includes at least one and preferably a pair of foldable flaps where each flap is designated generally  24  and is connected to panel  22  along lateral or vertically extending (when blank  14  is oriented as shown in the drawings) edges of panel  22 . Flaps  24  are connected to first panel  22  along preferably scored or otherwise structurally weakened fold lines designated generally  28  in the drawings. Fold lines  28  define respective portions of respective longitudinally elongated edges  16  of first panel  22 . The connections between flaps  24  and first panel  22  are preferably at or close to the lower extremity of first panel  22 , proximate to lower panel  18 , as illustrated in the drawings. 
   Flaps  24  are adapted to fold towards one another, as shown by arrows B in  FIG. 9 , along fold lines  28  in a manner that flaps  24  can overlie, as illustrated in  FIG. 10  and especially in  FIG. 11 , respective portions of a rear surface  20  of blank  14  of which first panel  22  forms a part. Folding of flaps  24  to overlie respective portions of rear surface  20  is additionally depicted in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . All of rear surface of blank  14  is designated  20  in the drawings prior to folding of blank  14 , no matter whether the surface portion of interest is part of first panel  22  of blank  14 , part of lower panel  30  of blank  14 , part of upper panel  38  of blank  14 , etc. 
   The front surface of first panel  22  is designated generally  18  in the drawings. As with the rear surface  20  of blank  14 , all of the front surface of blank  14  prior to folding of blank  14  is designated  18  in the drawings, no matter whether the front surface portion of interest is part of first panel  22  of blank  14 , part of lower panel  30  of blank  14 , part of upper panel  38  of blank  14 , etc. 
   Blank  14  further includes a lower panel which is designated generally  30  in the drawings and which is preferably of generally rectangular configuration. Lower panel  30  preferably connects to first panel  22  along a preferably scored or otherwise structurally weakened fold line  32  which defines juncture between first panel  22  and lower panel  30 . The lower extremity of lower panel  30 , which is the bottom edge of blank  14  prior to folding of lower panel  30 , is designated  42  in the drawings. 
   Lower panel  30  is adapted to fold rearwardly, as shown by arrow C in  FIG. 9 , subsequently to the folding of flaps  24  along fold lines  32 , in an upwardly direction, as depicted in  FIG. 9 . Consequently, when lower panel  30  is folded upwardly, lower panel  30  facingly overlies rear surface  20  of first panel  22  and flaps  24  and also overlies rear surface  20  of first panel  22 . In this manner flaps  24  serve to separate at least a part of lower panel  30 , namely the surface which is the rear surface prior to lower panel  30  being folded, from rear surface  20  of first panel  22 , as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
   The separation of lower panel  30  from rear surface  20  of first panel  22  provided by flaps  24  serves to define a card receptacle pocket in the space between now mutually facing rear surfaces  20  of first panel  22  and lower panel  30 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  13 . 
   Lower panel  30  further includes an aperture  36  formed therein. Aperture  36  is preferably located proximate the center of lower panel  30 . 
   Blank  14  further includes an upper panel, designated generally  38  in the drawings, which is preferably of generally rectangular configuration and which is connected to first panel  22  along a fold line designated  40  in the drawings. Fold line  40  defines juncture of upper panel  38  and first panel  22  and, like fold lines  28  and  32  discussed above, is preferably scored or otherwise structurally weakened to facilitate folding. 
   Upper panel  38  is adapted to fold along associated juncture-defining fold line  40  towards rear surface  20  of first panel  22 , as illustrated in  FIG. 12  and by arrow D in  FIG. 13 . Upper panel  38  is adapted to be folded downwardly towards rear surface  20  of first panel  22  after folding of lower panel  30  into position facing first panel  22 . In this manner and sequence of folding, upper panel  38  facingly overlies a part of lower panel  30  between aperture  36  and a now upper free edge of lower panel  30 , which edge defined the lower extremity of lower panel  30  prior to folding. This free edge is designated  42  in the drawings. 
   Upper panel  38  further includes a tab  44  which is positioned along and extends from an upper edge extremity of upper panel  38 . 
   Tab  44  is adapted for preferably interfering insertion into aperture  36  in lower panel  30 , as shown by arrow E in  FIG. 13 , if such insertion is performed after the first folding of lower panel  30  into facing relationship with first panel  22  and after the second folding of upper panel  38  to overlie portion of lower panel  30  which is between aperture  36  and edge  44 . Tab  44  is preferably at least equal in width and most preferably just slightly wider, perhaps a few thousandths of an inch wider, than aperture  36 , so there is preferably a slight interference when tab  44  is placed into position within aperture  36 . In this manner tab  44  preferably rubs against the edges of aperture  36  and retains upper panel  38  and lower panel  30  in closely facing engagement one with another, thereby to retain therewithin any coded card  12  residing within the card receptacle  34  defined by mutually facing surfaces of first panel  22  and lower panel  30 . When tab  44  is inserted into aperture  36  thereby to retain upper and lower panels  38 ,  30  in facing overlying relationship, carrier  10  assumes the three-dimensional gift package form designated generally  16  in the drawings. 
   Carrier  10  preferably further includes a manually detachable apertured hang panel designated generally  48 . Hang panel  48  connects to upper panel  38  along a manually separable perforate line  44 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , which line defines the upper edge extremity of upper panel  38  and juncture thereof with apertured hang panel  48 . Apertured hang panel  48  is adapted to be removed, as shown by arrow A in  FIG. 8 , and discarded before converting blank  14  into the card-enclosing gift package. 
   Apertured hang panel  48  preferably includes a punch-out encircled blank designated  52  in the drawings, which can be manually removed in order that carrier  10  may be displayed by being hung from a horizontal hanger rod in a retail environment. When displayed by hanging in the retail environment, carrier  10  is in the planar disposition since hang panel  48  is still affixed to upper panel  38 , thereby precluding upper panel  38  from being folded as the final step in forming the three dimensional gift package. Preferably but not necessarily the card receptacle may have already been formed by folding, and preferably optionally securing with adhesive, flaps  24  and lower panel portion  30 . 
   Upper panel  38  has been illustrated in the drawings with a card identification aperture  54  shown therein, with identification indicia on card  12  being visible through aperture  54  while card  12  is positioned on carrier  10  and carrier  10  is hanging on a hang rod in a retain environment. Card identification aperture in upper panel  38  is optional. Laws in some jurisdictions require that the card on a carrier be identifiable by the card identification indicia while the card is being offered for sale. When the carrier and card combination is sold in a jurisdiction not having this requirement, the card identification aperture  54  may not be present. 
   Card  12  has been illustrated mounted on upper panel  38  in a substantially symmetrical position prior to conversion of the carrier from the blank form to the three dimensional gift package; this positioning is not critical. Edges of card  12  may substantially overlie first panel  22  and/or hang panel  48  while the carrier is in the blank form since card  12  is removable from the carrier for activation, if removal is needed, and placed in the receptacle  34  after sale. 
   Fold lines  28 ,  32  and  40  are preferably created by scores in blank  14 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 through 5 . Fold line  46 , defining the upper extremity of upper panel  38  and juncture with aperture hang panel  48 , is preferably defined by a series of cuts or perforations in blank  14  thereby to facilitate separation of apertured hang panel  48  from upper panel portion  38  when blank  14  is folded in the manner described above to form the three-dimensional gift package form of carrier  10 . Depth of the scores creating fold lines  28 ,  32  and  40  is selected according to the material and thickness of blank  14 , in accordance with known industry practice. 
   Surface portions of first panel  22 , lower panel  30  and upper panel  38  which are exposed once blank  14  has been folded to convert carrier  10  from the blank  14  form into the three-dimensional gift package form  16 , are preferably imprinted with aesthetically pleasing seasonally-oriented desired graphics and legends, most preferably Christmas-related graphics, figures and the word “To” followed by a blank for insertion of a name, and the word “From” followed by a second blank for insertion of a name. As a result, in the three-dimensional gift package form  16  of carrier  10 , an aesthetically pleasing functional gift package, requiring no gift wrapping, for a coded card  12  results. 
   Any attempt to unfold carrier  10  from the gift package configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15  to the blank configuration illustrated in  FIG. 2  results in disfigurement of carrier  10 , as the score lines become crooked, the panels distort, especially along their surfaces, and the carrier material may tear. 
   Prior to activation of the coded card  12 , card  12  is preferably adhered to the front of carrier  10  in the planar form, as generally shown in  FIG. 1 , for aesthetically pleasing display of carrier  10  and the coded card  12  adhered thereto. Card  12  is preferably adhered to carrier  10  using a gum or rubber-type cement, which retains card  12  in place on the carrier and yet permits card  12  to be manually removed, if necessary, from carrier  10  by retail sales personnel for card activation without disfiguring the carrier. The card-carrier adhesive is preferably applied to the card in four spots, close to each corner as illustrated in  FIG. 3  where the adhesive is depicted in dotted lines and designated  50 . One preferable adhesive for this purpose is produced by H B Fuller and is available as Res. #1103724002, Product #HL 2198X. 
   When the flaps  24  are folded against rear surface  18  of first panel  22  and lower panel  30  is folded rearwardly and upwardly against folded flaps  24  to form receptacle  34 , it is desirable to retain flaps  24  and lower panel  30  in place, especially when receptacle  34  is to be formed prior to the carrier  10  being placed in the retail environment (which is the preferable manner of using carrier  10 ) as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 16 . In such case adhesive is preferably used to retain flaps  24  and lower panel in place after folding; a preferred adhesive for this purpose is produced by Wes Adhesives as Part # V3869B. This adhesive is not illustrated in the drawings.