Patent ID: 7766222

Claim:
A stored-value item comprising: means for dividing the stored-value item such that the stored-value item includes: means for maintaining a pressurized fluid, and a substantially flat portion of the stored-value item that is substantially non-inflatable, wherein the means for maintaining the pressurized fluid and the substantially flat portion are defined directly adjacent to and on opposite sides of the means for dividing, and the means for dividing substantially prevents the pressurized fluid from entering the substantially flat portion from the means for maintaining the pressurized fluid, and the substantially flat portion is sealed around an entire outer perimeter thereof; means for forcing the pressurized fluid into the means for maintaining, the means for forcing the pressurized fluid being separate from the substantially flat portion; means for releasing the pressurized fluid from the means for maintaining; and means for associating the means for maintaining with a financial account or a financial record, wherein the means for associating is fixedly secured to and is adapted to be mechanically read from the substantially flat portion of the stored-value item.