Patent Publication Number: US-8540160-B2

Title: Card carrier having extended transaction card

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to carriers for transaction cards. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved packaging of transaction cards via transaction card carriers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Gift cards are legal tender purchased for use by a person and usable in its face amount in lieu of cash in exchange for goods or services supplied by the seller. They are similar to credit cards in makeup except that they have a banked dollar value. Gift cards may designate the amounts contained therein, or they may be programmable to any value, i.e., varying amounts may be assigned to the gift card at time of purchase. Gift cards are typically given as gifts in lieu of a physical present. 
     Gift cards are generally associated with particular retail store, i.e., the gift card can only be used at that store. Alternatively, the gift cards may be issued by financial institutions such as bank or credit card companies. These cards are generally accepted anywhere the institution is accepted, i.e., they act like a credit card. 
     Gift cards are typically formed from a plastic material that includes a magnetic strip or bar code strip on its back surface. The magnetic strip or bar code contains the dollar amount of the gift card. The gift cards may also include a code with a dollar amount assigned thereto. When used at a brick and mortar store as for example by swiping the strip at a register, the amount is typically reduced by the purchase price of the item being purchased. When used at an online store, for example, a user will enter the code, the original amount may be assigned to a particular user account, and thereafter this amount can be reduced by the purchase price of the item being purchased. 
     Gift cards may also include information about the seller of the gift card on its front surface (e.g., logos, company name, etc.). The front surface of the gift cards may additionally or alternatively include random images, patterns or colors in order to make the gift cards more presentable and thus more like gifts. The back surface of the gift card may also include terms and conditions of the gift card, direction on how to use the gift card, and possibly the store title and original amount of the gift card. 
     The gift cards are typically packaged so that they can be placed on a display rack. In most cases, the plastic gift card is glued to a piece of cardboard backing such that the front surface of the gift card is in full view. The cardboard backing typically includes a hole so that the gift cards can hang from the display rack. The card board backing also typically includes decoration or ornamentation such as a store logo. 
     While this arrangement works, it is desirable to improve the packaging of the gift cards and their carriers in order to make them easier for purchase and use. When used at a brick and mortar store, the cashier must typically manipulate the packaging in order to swipe the strip at a register, such as removing the gift card and/or folding a portion of the gift card carrier to access the gift card. Thus, there is a need for improved gift card carrier. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention relates, in one embodiment, to a transaction card carrier. The transaction card carrier may include a transaction card having substantially the same width as the transaction card carrier. The transaction card may also be secured on the transaction card carrier such that at least one scan bar positioned on the back surface of the transaction card is visible and accessible without manipulating the transaction card carrier. 
     In one embodiment, a transaction card carrier may have a holder having a first width, a top edge and a bottom edge, a transaction card having a front surface, a back surface, and second width, the back surface of the transaction card mounted on the holder, and at least one scan bar positioned on the back surface of the transaction card. When the transaction card is mounted on the holder, the at least one scan bar may extend beyond a bottom edge of the holder. Also, the first width may be substantially the same as the second width. 
     In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a transaction card carrier may provide a transaction card panel having a first width and a bottom edge, the first width between a first edge and a second edge, provide a transaction card having a front surface and a back surface, the back surface including at least a scan bar, and secure the transaction card on the transaction card panel such that at least the one scan bar on a back surface of the transaction card extends beyond the bottom edge of the transaction card panel. 
     In yet another embodiment provides for a method of manufacturing a transaction card carrier, by providing a transaction card panel having a first width and a bottom edge, the first width between a first edge and a second edge, with the back surface including at least a scan bar; and then securing the transaction card on the transaction card panel such that at least the one scan bar on a back surface of the transaction card extends beyond the bottom edge of the transaction card panel. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1A-1E  are exemplary front and back diagrams of exemplary transaction card carriers. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are example side diagrams of a transaction card carrier having a depression or recess portion for receiving a transaction card. 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary back diagram of a transaction card carrier. 
         FIG. 4  is an example method of manufacturing a transaction card carrier. 
         FIG. 5  is another example method of manufacturing a transaction card carrier. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention pertains to improved transaction card carrier to hold a transaction card that does not have any value until purchased and activated at a point-of-sale. The transaction card carrier allows at least one scan bar of the transaction card to extend beyond a bottom edge or bottom portion of the transaction card carrier to allow a cashier to efficiently and easily swipe the scan bar without having to manipulate the transaction card carrier in any way or position. 
     The transaction card may be any card that does not have any value until purchased such as a prepaid card, gift card, or any other similar cards. In one embodiment, the transaction card is associated with a cash value that may be used after activation to purchase or retrieve products or services from sellers. In another embodiment, the transaction card is content specific and provided to allow acquisition of a particular digital asset, such as a collection of digital media assets, upon activation. As one example, the collection can pertain to a playlist, album or set of content. The transaction card can be embodied as a product (e.g., digital content) specific prepaid transaction card. 
     Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1A-5 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. 
       FIGS. 1A-1E  are an example front and back diagrams of exemplary transaction card carriers.  FIG. 1A  is an example front side or surface of a transaction card carrier having a transaction card. Both front surface of transaction card carrier  100  and front surface of transaction card  106  may include any type of graphics  102 ,  110 , such as a message from the merchant, merchant logo, or the like. In one embodiment, graphics  102  of the transaction card carrier  100  matches the graphics  110  of the gift card  106  (e.g., have the same pattern or color). 
     Optionally, the graphics  102 ,  110  can be a holographic image or an image with a holographic effect. The front surface of transaction card carrier  100  may also include a site identifier  112  that identifies the merchant, merchant&#39;s website, or any other information. By way of example, site identifier  112  may identify the iTunes® online media store owned by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. as an online store from which the playlist is to be obtained. As should be appreciated, the online iTunes store of Apple Inc., now offers TV shows, movies, music videos, music albums, games, podcasts, for download to computers and media players and thus graphic images of those offerings may be associated with the online iTunes store of Apple Inc. and be used as graphics  102 ,  110 . In fact, graphics  102 ,  110  may generally correspond to the icon images found at the online store. 
     The front surface of card carrier  100  may also include a price  108  associated with the purchase of the transaction card. For example, price  108  indicates a cost associated with downloading or obtaining a song from an online store identified by side identifier  112 . 
     Transaction card  106  may generally be formed from any suitable material including, but not limited to, paper, plastic, or a reflective material such as holofoil. Suitable materials may include, but are not limited to, plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or more environmentally friendly plastics such as corn-based plastics (e.g., polylactic acid (PLA)). 
     In general, transaction card carrier  100  may be sized to fit into standard slots or bins used to hold CDs or gift cards at retail outlets such as third-party retail outlets or reseller locations. When CD-sized, the height of transaction card carrier  100  may be approximately 16.5 cm, while the width of transaction card carrier  100  may be approximately 12 cm. When gift card-sized, the height of transaction card carrier  100  may be approximately 9.8 cm, while the width of transaction card carrier  100  may be approximately 8.5 cm. As shown in  FIG. 2B , transaction card carrier  100  may have an associated thickness “t”  148  that may be in the range of approximately 24-30 mils. It should be understood that the size of transaction card carrier  100  may vary widely. By way of example, thickness “t”  148  may be in the range of approximately 2 mils to approximately 100 mils. Additionally, by way of example, the height of transaction card carrier  100  may be approximately 3.9 inches while the width of transaction card carrier  100  may be approximately 3.4 inches, e.g., the height may be in the range between 10 approximately 2 inches and approximately 4 inches while the width may be in the range between approximately 2 inches and approximately 3 inches. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1A , transaction card  106  may have a width that is substantially similar to the width of transaction card carrier  100 . In one embodiment, transaction card  106  may have a width that is the same width of transaction card carrier  100 . For example, if the transaction card carrier  100  is sized to fit into standard slots or bins used to hold CDs or gift cards at retail outlets such as third-party retail outlets or reseller locations, the width of transaction card  106  may also be approximately 12 cm. In another example, when transaction card carrier  100  is sized to be gift card-sized, the width of transaction card  106  may also be approximately 8.5 cm. By way of example, the width of transaction card  106  may be in the range between 2 inches and approximately 5 inches. In one embodiment, the height of transaction card  106  may be approximately 2.1 inches. By way of example, the height of transaction card  106  may be in the range between 1 inch and approximately 5 inches. In one example, transaction card  106  may be an industry standard CR80 card. 
     Transaction card carrier  100  is not limited to being displayed in bins at retail outlets. In many retail outlets, gift cards and the like are displayed in a hanging manner, e.g., openings defined within gift cards or gift card holders are used to enable the gift cards to be hung on dowels or other support apparatus. If transaction card carrier  100  is to be displayed in, or is likely to be defined in, a hanging manner, an opening  116  may be included on transaction card carrier  100 . Such an optional opening  116  may generally take substantially any suitable shape, such as a “sombrero” shape as shown, a circular shape, or an ovular shape. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates an example back view of the transaction card carrier. Transaction card carrier  100  may include any graphics  144  and/or text  146 . For example, graphics  144  may be a merchant&#39;s logo or any other graphics. In another example, text may include download instructions and/or transaction card information which allow a possessor of transaction card carrier  100  to obtain the digital files or redeem products associated with transaction card  106 . For example, the transaction card information may include terms and conditions of the transaction card  106 , directions on how to redeem the transaction card  106 , and/or the like. A universal product code (UPC) code  124 , which is arranged to be scanned as a part of an activation process, may be included on the back of transaction card carrier  100 . UPC code  124  may be used at a point-of-sale to effectively charge price  108  to a purchaser for the purchase of transaction card carrier  100 . 
     The back side of transaction card  106  may include at least one scan bar which may be used in the purchase of transaction card  106 . The at least one scan bar may be, for example, a barcode  140 , magnetic stripe  142 , or any other scan bars that provide information or activation of transaction card  106 . Bar code  140 , which may be read by optical scanners or bar code readers, may include information that identifies transaction card  106 . It should be understood that the format of bar code  140  may vary widely. By way of example, bar code  140  may be encoded in a code, a datamatrix 2D bar code format, or any other known format. 
     In one embodiment, bar code  140  may be a concealed unique code that may be concealed (or obscured) by a scratch-off material for security purposes. Bar code  140  may include an adhesive strip that is peeled off to expose a unique code, or a scratch-off label that is scratched off to expose unique code. Unique code may then be arranged to identify the playlist to be downloaded when unique code is provided to, or entered into, an appropriate website. While unique code may generally include any number of characters, e.g., numbers, unique code may include approximately sixteen characters in the described embodiment. It should be appreciated that until transaction card  106  is processed at a point-of-sale of transaction card carrier  100 , i.e., until the magnetic stripe  142  is processed or swiped at a register to activate transaction card  106 , transaction card  106  is essentially worthless in that digital files associated with list  120  cannot be accessed, because unique code is inactive. That is, the unique code is not redeemable for the digital files associated with list  120  until transaction card  106  is activated at a point-of-sale. 
     Transaction card  106  may include a magnetic stripe  142 , in lieu of or in addition to a bar code  140 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, magnetic stripe effectively contains information that allows data stored remotely to be accessed by swiping magnetic stripe  142  past a card-reader head. A card reader head may be part of a point-of-sale device. Typically, magnetic stripe  142  is contained in a plastic-like film. As one example, magnetic stripe  142  may be located approximately 0.223 inches from the bottom edge of transaction card  106 , and may have a height of approximately 0.375 inches. 
     As illustrated, transaction card  106  may be positioned at a bottom half  118  of transaction card carrier  100 , such that the at least one scan bar extends beyond a bottom edge  128  of the transaction card carrier  100 . In one example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1B , both the barcode  140  and magnetic stripe  142  may be visible. In another example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1C , only the magnetic stripe  142  may be visible. 
     Transaction card  106  may be coupled to the transaction card carrier  100  using one or more retention mechanisms disposed thereon. The retention mechanisms may be configured to hold the transaction card  106  against the transaction card carrier  100 . The retention mechanisms may, for example, include glue, tape (i.e. double sided tape), clips, slits, pockets, and/or the like. This allows a cashier to efficiently and easily swipe the scan bar without having to manipulate any part of the transaction card carrier  100 , such as folding back the panels of the transaction card carrier to access the scan bars. Additionally, the transaction card  106  does not have to be removed from the transaction card carrier  100  when the transaction card  106  is purchased. 
       FIG. 1D  illustrates another example front side or surface of a transaction card carrier having a transaction card. Although the transaction card carrier  130  may be associated with a collection of digital content, as for example, songs, podcasts, videos, audio books, television shows, and/or games for ease of discussion, the collection is generally described herein as being a playlist or album. Both front surface of transaction card carrier  130  and front surface of transaction card  136  may include any type of graphics  132 ,  134 , such as a representation of a playlist (e.g., album) that is associated therewith. In one embodiment, graphics  132  of the transaction card carrier  130  matches the graphics  134  of the gift card  136  (e.g., have the same pattern or color). 
     In one embodiment, if transaction card  136  is associated with an album released by a musical artist or group, graphics  132 ,  134  may be a representation of the album cover. Alternatively, if transaction card  136  is associated with a playlist that has not been released, e.g., if transaction card  136  is associated with a recording made at a live concert, graphics  132 ,  134  may be a portrayal such as a photograph, illustration, or other artistic rendering arranged to identify an artist, group, recording, event, or title (name) associated with the playlist. 
     Optionally, the graphics  132 ,  134  can be a holographic image or an image with a holographic effect. The front surface of transaction card carrier  100  may also include a site identifier  112  that identifies a website or an application from which the associated playlist may be obtained. By way of example, site identifier  112  may identify the iTunes® online media store owned by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. as an online store from which the playlist is to be obtained. As should be appreciated, the online iTunes store of Apple Inc., now offers TV shows, movies, music videos, music albums, games, podcasts, for download to computers and media players and thus graphic images of those offerings may be associated with the online iTunes store of Apple Inc. and be used as graphics  132 ,  134 . In fact, graphics  132 ,  134  may generally correspond to the icon images found at the online store. 
     The front surface of card carrier  130  may also include a price  108  associated with the purchase of the transaction card for electronic access to an instance of the playlist. In other words, price  108  indicates a cost associated with downloading or obtaining the playlist from the online store identified by side identifier  112 . 
     Transaction card  136  may generally be formed from any suitable material including, but not limited to, paper, plastic, or a reflective material such as holofoil. Suitable materials may include, but are not limited to, plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or more environmentally friendly plastics such as corn-based plastics (e.g., polylactic acid (PLA)). 
     In general, transaction card carrier  130  may be sized to fit into standard slots or bins used to hold CDs or gift cards at retail outlets such as third-party retail outlets or reseller locations. When CD-sized, the height of transaction card carrier  130  may be approximately 16.5 cm, while the width of transaction card carrier  130  may be approximately 12 cm. When gift card-sized, the height of transaction card carrier  130  may be approximately 9.8 cm, while the width of transaction card carrier  130  may be approximately 8.5 cm. As shown in  FIG. 2B , transaction card carrier  130  may have an associated thickness “t”  148  that may be in the range of approximately 24-30 mils. It should be understood that the size of transaction card carrier  130  may vary widely. By way of example, thickness “t”  148  may be in the range of approximately 2 mils to approximately 130 mils. Additionally, by way of example, the height of transaction card carrier  130  may be approximately 3.9 inches while the width of transaction card carrier  130  may be approximately 3.4 inches, e.g., the height may be in the range between 10 approximately 2 inches and approximately 4 inches while the width may be in the range between approximately 2 inches and approximately 3 inches. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1D , transaction card  136  may have a width that is substantially similar to the width of transaction card carrier  130 . In one embodiment, transaction card  136  may have a width that is the same width of transaction card carrier  130 . For example, if the transaction card carrier  130  is sized to fit into standard slots or bins used to hold CDs or gift cards at retail outlets such as third-party retail outlets or reseller locations, the width of transaction card  136  may also be approximately 12 cm. In another example, when transaction card carrier  130  is sized to be gift card-sized, the width of transaction card  136  may also be approximately 8.5 cm. By way of example, the width of transaction card  136  may be in the range between 2 inches and approximately 5 inches. In one embodiment, the height of transaction card  136  may be approximately 2.1 inches. By way of example, the height of transaction card  136  may be in the range between 1 inch and approximately 5 inches. In one example, transaction card  136  may be an industry standard CR80 card. 
     Transaction card carrier  130  is not limited to being displayed in bins at retail outlets. In many retail outlets, gift cards and the like are displayed in a hanging manner, e.g., openings defined within gift cards or gift card holders are used to enable the gift cards to be hung on dowels or other support apparatus. If transaction card carrier  130  is to be displayed in, or is likely to be defined in, a hanging manner, an opening  116  may be included on transaction card carrier  130 . Such an optional opening  116  may generally take substantially any suitable shape, such as a “sombrero” shape as shown, a circular shape, or an ovular shape. 
       FIG. 1E  illustrates an example back view of the transaction card carrier. The back side of transaction card carrier  130  may include a list  120  of playlist contents. Transaction card carrier  130  may also include download instructions  136  and/or transaction card information which allow a possessor of transaction card carrier  130  to obtain the digital files associated with list  120 . For example, the transaction card information may include terms and conditions of the transaction card  136 , directions on how to redeem the transaction card  136 , and/or the like. List  120  identifies tracks associated with the playlist, while download instructions  136  provide instructions intended to guide a possessor of transaction card carrier  130  through a process of downloading digital files or tracks associated with list  120 . A universal product code (UPC) code  124 , which is arranged to be scanned as a part of an activation process, may be included on the back of transaction card carrier  130 . UPC code  124  may be used at a point-of-sale to effectively charge price  108  to a purchaser for the purchase of transaction card carrier  130 . 
     The back side of transaction card  136  may include at least one scan bar which may be used in the purchase of transaction card  136 . The at least one scan bar may be, for example, a barcode  140 , magnetic stripe  142 , or any other scan bars that provide information or activation of transaction card  136 . Bar code  140 , which may be read by optical scanners or bar code readers, may include information that identifies transaction card  136 . It should be understood that the format of bar code  140  may vary widely. By way of example, bar code  140  may be encoded in a code, a datamatrix 2D bar code format, or any other known format. 
     In one embodiment, bar code  140  may be a concealed unique code that may be concealed (or obscured) by a scratch-off material for security purposes. Bar code  140  may include an adhesive strip that is peeled off to expose a unique code, or a scratch-off label that is scratched off to expose unique code. Unique code may then be arranged to identify the playlist to be downloaded when unique code is provided to, or entered into, an appropriate website. While unique code may generally include any number of characters, e.g., numbers, unique code may include approximately sixteen characters in the described embodiment. It should be appreciated that until transaction card  136  is processed at a point-of-sale of transaction card carrier  130 , i.e., until the magnetic stripe  142  is processed or swiped at a register to activate transaction card  136 , transaction card  136  is essentially worthless in that digital files associated with list  120  cannot be accessed, because unique code is inactive. That is, the unique code is not redeemable for the digital files associated with list  120  until transaction card  136  is activated at a point-of-sale. 
     Transaction card  136  may include a magnetic stripe  142 , in lieu of or in addition to a bar code  140 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, magnetic stripe effectively contains information that allows data stored remotely to be accessed by swiping magnetic stripe  142  past a card-reader head. A card reader head may be part of a point-of-sale device. Typically, magnetic stripe  142  is contained in a plastic-like film. As one example, magnetic stripe  142  may be located approximately 0.223 inches from the bottom edge of transaction card  136 , and may have a height of approximately 0.375 inches. 
     As illustrated, transaction card  136  may be positioned at a bottom half  118  of transaction card carrier  130 , such that the at least one scan bar extends beyond a bottom edge  128  of the transaction card carrier  130 . In one example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1B , both the barcode  140  and magnetic stripe  142  may be visible. In another example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1C , only the magnetic stripe  142  may be visible. 
     Transaction card  136  may be coupled to the transaction card carrier  130  using one or more retention mechanisms disposed thereon. The retention mechanisms may be configured to hold the transaction card  136  against the transaction card carrier  130 . The retention mechanisms may, for example, include glue, adhesive (e.g., silicone adhesive), tape (i.e. double sided tape), clips, slits, pockets, and/or the like. This allows a cashier to efficiently and easily swipe the scan bar without having to manipulate any part of the transaction card carrier  130 , such as folding back the panels of the transaction card carrier to access the scan bars. Additionally, the transaction card  136  does not have to be removed from the transaction card carrier  130  when the transaction card  136  is purchased. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are example side diagrams of a transaction card carrier having a depression or recess portion for receiving a transaction card. As illustrated in  FIG. 2A , transaction card carrier  200  may have a recess portion  202  at a bottom half  206  of the transaction card carrier  200 . The recess portion  202  may be sized and dimensioned to receive the transaction card  204  so that the transaction card  204  appears to be flush mounted when the transaction card  204  is positioned inside the recessed portion  202  of the transaction card carrier  200 . The shape of the recess portion  202  may correspond to the shape of the transaction card  206 . The size of the recess portion  202  may correspond to a portion of the height of the transaction card  206 . In one embodiment, the size of the recess portion  202  may correspond to at least half the height of the transaction card  206 . The recessed portion  202  may be positioned at a bottom half  206  of the transaction card carrier  200  so that at least one scan bar (illustrated in  FIG. 1B ) extends beyond the bottom half  206  of the transaction card carrier  200  when the transaction card  206  is positioned inside the recessed portion  202 . 
     The transaction card carrier  200  may be formed from a variety of materials. For example, the transaction card carrier  200  may be formed from one or more layers of material. The sheet materials may for example include plastics, paper, cardboard, fabric, and/or the like. In essence, any suitable card like material may be used. 
     The recess portion  202  may be formed a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the recess portion  202  is embossed or shaped into the transaction card carrier  200 . In another embodiment, the recess portion  202  may be formed by coupling various layers together with at least the top layer  220  including an opening which forms the top edge  210  of the recess portion  202  and a bottom layer  222  which forms the base portion  212  of the recess portion  202 . In this embodiment, the top layer  220  may have different dimensions from the second bottom layer  222 . For example, the top layer  220  may have a height less than the height of the bottom layer  222 . 
     The top layer  220  and bottom layer  222  may be formed from two separate sheets of material that are attached together. In this implementation, the sheets may be formed from the same or different materials and/or with sheets of varying thickness. For example, the top layer  220  may be formed from a first material and the bottom layer  222  may be formed from a second material. Alternatively or additionally, the top layer  220  may be formed from a first thickness and the bottom layer  222  may be formed from a second thickness. For example, the thickness of the top layer  220  may be greater than the thickness of the bottom layer  222  or alternatively the top layer  220  may have a thickness that is less than the bottom layer  222 . The thickness of each portion generally depends on the desired needs of the transaction card carrier  200 . In one implementation, the thickness of the top layer  220  substantially corresponds to the thickness of the transaction card  206  in order to implement flush mounting. 
     In another embodiment, the top layer  220  and bottom layer  222  may be formed from a single sheet of material that is folded over each other and attached together. By way of example, an adhesive may be applied to one or both of the interfacing surfaces and then the portions may be forced together thereby forming a single laminate panel. This may, for example, be accomplished by folding over or pressing one over the other. 
     The depth of the recess portion  202  may be widely varied. However, as illustrated in  FIG. 2B , the depth of the recess portion  202  may be configured to place the bottom surface  216  of the transaction card  206  substantially flush or level with the top surface  218  of the transaction card carrier  200  (at least a majority of the transaction card  206  may be disposed within the recess portion  202 ). In this particular case, the depth of the recess portion  202  is generally substantially equal to the thickness of the transaction card  206 . In most cases, the depth is typically configured to make the transaction card  206  appear as though it is flush mounted within the transaction card carrier  200 . For example, slightly recessed, level or slightly protruding. 
       FIG. 3  is an exemplary back diagram of a transaction card carrier. The transaction card carrier or panel  300  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is similar to the transaction card carrier illustrated in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C except that the transaction card carrier  300  has a scan window  302 . Transaction card  308  may be secured to the transaction card carrier  300  such that only the magnetic stripe  306  extends beyond the bottom edge  310  of the transaction card carrier  300 . 
     The scan window  302  may be disposed within the mounting area  312  of the transaction card carrier  300 . The scan window  302 , which is typically a small opening formed in the mounting area  312 , provides access to the back surface of the transaction card  308  when the transaction card  308  is placed over the mounting area  312 . The scan window  302  may for example provide access to a scan bar disposed on the back surface of the transaction card  308 . The scan bar may, for example, be a bar code  304  or a magnetic stripe. The scan window  302  is typically sized and dimensioned to expose the entire scan bar. As such, the transaction card  308  does not have to be removed from the carrier  300  when the transaction card  308  is purchased. 
       FIG. 4  is an example method  400  of manufacturing a transaction card carrier. The method  400  may for example be used to create the gift card carriers disclosed in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and/or  3 . The method  400  generally begins where a transaction card panel or carrier, having a first width between a first edge and a second edge, may be provided at  402 . A transaction card having a front surface and a back surface may be provided at  404 . The back surface of the transaction card may include at least a scan bar. The scan bar may be, for example, a magnetic stripe or a bar code. The transaction card may be secured on the transaction card carrier or panel such that at least the one scan bar on a back surface of the transaction card extends beyond the bottom edge of the transaction card carrier at  406 . In one embodiment, a first side of the transaction card may be aligned with the first edge of the transaction card carrier and a second side of a transaction card may be aligned with the second edge of the transaction card carrier such that the width of the transaction card panel and the width of the transaction card are substantially the same. In another embodiment, the width of the transaction card panel and the width of the transaction card are the same. This allows a cashier to efficiently and easily swipe the scan bar without having to manipulate any part of the transaction card carrier, such as folding back the panels of the transaction card carrier to access the scan bars. Additionally, the transaction card does not have to be removed from the transaction card carrier when the transaction card is purchased. 
       FIG. 5  is another example method  500  of manufacturing a transaction card carrier. The method  500  may for example be used to create the gift card carriers disclosed in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and/or  3 . The method  500  generally begins where a transaction card panel or carrier, having a first width between a first edge and a second edge, may be provided at  502 . The first side of a transaction card may be aligned with the first edge of the transaction card panel at  504 . The second side of a transaction card may be aligned with the second edge of the transaction card panel at  506 . As such, the width of the transaction card panel and the width of the transaction card are substantially the same. In one embodiment, the width of the transaction card panel and the width of the transaction card are the same. 
     The transaction card may be positioned on the transaction card panel such that at least one scan bar on a back surface of the transaction card extends beyond a bottom edge of the transaction card panel at  508 . This allows a cashier to efficiently and easily swipe the scan bar without having to manipulate any part of the transaction card carrier, such as folding back the panels of the transaction card carrier to access the scan bars. Additionally, the transaction card does not have to be removed from the transaction card carrier when the transaction card is purchased. 
     While this invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.