Abstract:
The disclosed invention relates generally to a box for receiving and holding a transaction card. In particular, the invention relates to a box that has a cutout for viewing a transaction card and a slit for receiving a transaction card. The box permits a transaction card disposed therein to be visible, scanned, accessed, or otherwise activated without removing the gift card from the box.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/431,535, entitled “Gift Card Presentation Devices,” filed Feb. 13, 2017, which claims Ser. No. 14/181,668, entitled “Gift Card Presentation Devices,” filed Feb. 15, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/765,594, filed Feb. 15, 2013, entitled “Gift Card Presentation Devices,” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Transaction cards, stored value cards, or gift cards are popular gifts. Gift cards typically comprise a stored value card whereby a certain cash equivalent value is encoded upon a magnetic strip applied to the surface of the card. This stored value may be determined by the vendor prior to packaging and display for sale or may be selected at the point of sale by the purchaser and loaded by the cashier using a magnetic card reader/writer. Although popular, gift cards are typically provided with a generic and impersonal design. In addition, gift cards are often given in simple un-adorned envelopes or impersonal sleeves. This may minimize the gift giving experience and emotional value for both gift giver and the recipient. 
         [0003]    Therefore, a need exists for a gift card holder that provides graphical and/or mechanical enhancements to entertain the gift card recipient and add emotional and personal value to the gift and the gift giver. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    This invention relates generally to gift card holders and more particularly to a device for holding a gift card or gift card packet while providing graphical and mechanical enhancements to entertain the gift card recipient and add value to the gift giving experience for the gift giver. In addition, the gift card holders are suitable for convenient display and activation by retailers. Specifically, the gift card holders include one or more cutouts that provide easy access to view and scan a barcode or other indicia on the gift cards for activation. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, the gift card holder is a box having a bottom portion with at least one cutout and a lid portion. The box also includes a tray positioned within the bottom portion. The tray receives a gift card and includes at least one cutout. such that all of the cutouts are aligned so that a barcode or other indicia on the gift card may be viewed when the box is closed. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments the bottom portion of the box may have a bottom portion cutout for viewing a gift card held within the box. The bottom portion may also include a slit for receiving a gift card. The tray may also have a slit for receiving a gift card. Both slits may align with one another. The tray may additionally include a cutout for viewing the card. 
         [0007]    Details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages may be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective plan view a of a gift box gift card holder according to one embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective plan view, respectively, of a gift box gift card holder according to one embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a front plan view of a gift box gift card holder according to one embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a rear plan view of a gift box gift card holder according to one embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a front plan view of a gift box gift card holder with the lid removed according to one embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a rear plan view of a gift box gift card holder with the lid removed according to one embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective plan view a of a gift box gift card holder with the lid removed according to one embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a rear perspective plan view a of a gift box gift card holder with the lid removed according to one embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of an unassembled lid of a gift box gift card holder according to one embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of an unassembled bottom of a gift box gift card holder according to one embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a front perspective plan view a of a gift box gift card holder with the lid removed according to a second embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a plan view a of a gift box gift card holder with the lid removed according to a second embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a front perspective plan view a of a gift box gift card holder according to one embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a rear perspective plan view, respectively, of a gift box gift card holder according to one embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a front plan view of a gift box gift card holder according to one embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a rear plan view of a gift box gift card holder according to one embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is a plan view of an unassembled lid of a gift box gift card holder according to one embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a plan view of an unassembled bottom of a gift box gift card holder according to one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    The present invention relates to gift card holders that enhance the gift giving experience for both the gift giver and the gift recipient. The gift card holders disclosed herein also provide benefits to retailers. For example, the gift cards and gift card holders may be received by retailers in pre-assembled packaging. In addition, gift card holders allow the gift cards to be purchased and activated without removing them from the gift card holders. In various aspects, the gift card holders of the present invention include a number of decorative and functional features that allow a gift giver to add personalization and other enhancements when giving a gift card. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 1-10  depict an embodiment of a gift box gift card holder  100 . In this embodiment, the gift box gift card holder  100  is generally box shaped with a bottom portion  300  and a lid portion  200 . The bottom potion  300  and lid portion  200  may be engaged to decorative covers, which include graphics or indicia. In one embodiment, the graphics and indicia may be applied directly to the bottom portion  300  and the lid portion  200 . The holder  100  may also include a tray  400  within the box to hold and display a gift cart placed or attached thereon. 
         [0028]    The bottom portion  300  and a lid portion  200  are fabricated from a planar material that is cut and scored to define a respective bottom panel  330  including a bottom portion cutout  310  and a top panel  440 . Each portion  200  and  300  also includes sidewalls  216 A-D and  318 A-D, respectively, which are formed from the planar material. The sidewalls  216 A-D and  318 A-D may be folded inward to provide structure to the box. In one aspect, sidewalls  216 A and  216 C include notches  220 A-B to grip and remove the lid portion  200  from the bottom portion  300  after assembly. 
         [0029]    The tray  400  may be formed from a planar material that is cut and folded to fit with in the bottom portion  300 . The tray  400  may also be formed by vacuum forming a thermoplastic material. The tray  400  includes a central portion  450  that is proximal to the bottom portion  300  of holder  100 , when the tray is assembled. 
         [0030]    The central portion  450  of the tray  400  may have a first sidewall  460  and a second and third side wall  470 A and  470 B. The second and third sidewalls  470 A and  470 B are opposite one another and parallel to one another. Both the second and third sidewalls may be perpendicular to the first sidewall  460 . The sidewalls are connected to one another by a central portion surface  425 . In various embodiments the central portion  450  may also include a fourth sidewall opposite the first sidewall  460 . The central portion may be slanted with the lowest point of the central portion being adjacent to the first sidewall  460 . The lowest point of the central portion  450  may have a slit  455  that aligns with the bottom portion&#39;s slit  350 . The second and third side wall may have protrusions  430 A and  430 B configured to retain a transaction card that is held within the central portion  450 . The tabs  430 A and  430 B may be at any point along the second and third sidewalls  470 A and  470 B. In this regard, a transaction card may be placed in the box by sliding the card through the bottom portion&#39;s slit  350  and the tray slit  455  so that the card rests on the central portion surface  425  between the tabs  430 A and  430 B. In some embodiments the bottom portion&#39;s slit  350  may include a finger notch  352  that aids a user in sliding a card into the box through the bottom portion&#39;s slit  350 . 
         [0031]    In one embodiment, the tray  400  is adhered to the interior surface of the bottom portion  300 . The central portion  450  of the tray  400  also defines a cutout or opening  410  that is aligned with the bottom portion cutout  310  to allow a barcode or other indicia on the gift card to be viewed and scanned without removing the card from the box  100 . In various aspects, the tray  400  includes markings and indicia that may correspond to the gift giving occasion, holiday, or season. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 11-12  depict another embodiment of a gift box gift card holder  1100 . In this embodiment, the gift box gift card holder  1100  is generally box shaped with a bottom portion  1300  and a lid portion. The bottom potion  1300  and lid portion may be engaged to decorative covers, which include graphics or indicia. In one embodiment, the graphics and indicia may be applied directly to the bottom portion  1300  and the lid portion. The holder  1100  may also include a tray  1400  within the box to hold and display a gift cart placed or attached thereon. The central portion  1450  of the tray  1400  also defines a cutout or opening  1410  that is aligned with the bottom portion cutout  310  to allow a barcode or other indicia on the gift card to be viewed and scanned without removing the card from the box  100 . 
         [0033]    The central portion  1450  of the tray  1400  may have a first sidewall  1460  opposite a fourth side wall  1465  and a second and third side wall  1470 A and  1470 B. The first and fourth sidewall,  1460  and  1465  may be parallel to one another and generally perpendicular to the second and third side wall  1470 A and  1470 B. The second and third sidewalls  1470 A and  1470 B are opposite one another and parallel to one another. Both the second and third sidewalls may be perpendicular to the first sidewall  1460 . The sidewalls are connected to one another by a central portion surface  1425 . The central portion may be slanted with the lowest point of the central portion being adjacent to the first sidewall  1460 . The lowest point of the central portion  1450  may have a tray slit  1455  that aligns with the bottom portion&#39;s slit  350 . The second and third sidewalls  1470 A and  1470 B may have protrusions  1430 A,  1430 B,  1435 A, and  1435 B configured to retain a transaction card that is held within the central portion  1450 . The tabs  1430 A,  1430 B,  1435 A, and  1435 B may be at any point along the second and third sidewalls  1470 A and  1470 B. In this regard, a transaction card may be placed in the box by sliding the card through the bottom portion&#39;s slit  350  and the tray slit  1455  so that the card rests on the central portion surface  1425  between the tabs  1430 A,  1430 B,  1435 A, and  1435 B. The fourth sidewall  1465  may have a finger notch  1452  located along the sidewall&#39;s edge. The finger notch  1452  may aid a user in removing a transaction card from the central portion  1450 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 13-14  depict an embodiment of a gift box gift card holder  2100 . In this embodiment, the gift box gift card holder  2100  is generally box shaped with a bottom portion  2300  and a lid portion  2200 . The bottom potion  2300  and lid portion  2200  may be engaged to decorative covers, which include graphics or indicia. In one embodiment, the graphics and indicia may be applied directly to the bottom portion  2300  and the lid portion  2200 . The holder  2100  may also include a tray  2400  within the box to hold and display a gift cart placed or attached thereon. 
         [0035]    The bottom portion  2300  and a lid portion  2200  are fabricated from a planar material that is cut and scored to define a respective bottom panel  2330  including a bottom portion cutout  2310  and a top panel  2440 . Each portion  2200  and  2300  also includes sidewalls  2216 A-D and  2318 A-D, respectively, which are formed from the planar material. The sidewalls  2216 A-D and  2318 A-D may be folded inward to provide structure to the box. In one aspect, sidewalls  2216 A and  2216 C include notches  2220 A-B to grip and remove the lid portion  2200  from the bottom portion  2300  after assembly. 
         [0036]    The tray  2400  may be formed from a planar material that is cut and folded to fit with in the bottom portion  2300 . The tray  2400  may also be formed by vacuum forming a thermoplastic material. The tray  2400  includes a central portion  2450  that is proximal to the bottom portion  300  of holder  2100 , when the tray is assembled. 
         [0037]    The central portion  2450  of the tray  2400  may have a first sidewall  2460  and a second and third side wall  2470 A and  2470 B. The second and third sidewalls  2470 A and  2470 B are opposite one another and parallel to one another. Both the second and third sidewalls may be perpendicular to the first sidewall  2460 . The sidewalls are connected to one another by a central portion surface  2425 . In various embodiments the central portion  2450  may also include a fourth sidewall opposite the first sidewall  2460 . The central portion may be slanted with the lowest point of the central portion being adjacent to the first sidewall  2460 . The second and third side wall may have protrusions  2430 A and  2430 B configured to retain a transaction card that is held within the central portion  2450 . The tabs  2430 A and  2430 B may be at any point along the second and third sidewalls  2470 A and  2470 B. In this regard, a transaction card may be placed in the box by pressing a transaction card into the central portion so that the card rests on the central portion surface  2425  between the tabs  2430 A and  2430 B. 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, the tray  2400  is adhered to the interior surface of the bottom portion  2300 . The central portion  2450  of the tray  2400  also defines a cutout or opening  2410  that is aligned with the bottom portion cutout  2310  to allow a barcode or other indicia on the gift card to be viewed and scanned without removing the card from the box  2100 . In various aspects, the tray  2400  includes markings and indicia that may correspond to the gift giving occasion, holiday, or season. 
         [0039]    For each embodiment, a gift card may be included with the gift card holders  100 ,  1100 , and  2100 . In various other embodiments, the gift card holders  100 ,  1100 , and  2100  may be used or re-used with any gift card, including those purchased separately from the purchase of the gift card holder. 
         [0040]    It is believed that the present disclosure and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components without departing from the disclosed subject matter or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form described is merely explanatory, and it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes. 
         [0041]    While the present disclosure has been described with reference to various embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the disclosure is not limited to them. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. More generally, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure have been described in the context of particular implementations. Functionality may be separated or combined in blocks differently in various embodiments of the disclosure or described with different terminology. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims that follow.