PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8875886-B2
Application Number: US-19797508-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Carrier card arrangement with removable envelope

Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for providing a carrier card on which a transaction card is mounted and to which an envelope is integrally but detachably attached are described. According to one aspect, a carrier card arrangement that is suitable for carrying a transaction card includes a carrier portion and an envelope portion that is integrally formed with an edge of the carrier portion. The edge of the carrier portion is at least partially defined by at least one perforation. The carrier portion includes a first surface that is on an opposite side of the carrier portion from a second surface. The envelope portion has a third surface that at least partially abuts the second surface, and is sized to accommodate the transaction card.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A carrier card arrangement, the carrier card arrangement being arranged to carry a transaction card, the carrier card arrangement comprising:
 a carrier portion, the carrier portion including a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being on an opposite side of the carrier portion from the second surface, wherein the carrier portion further includes an edge; and 
 an envelope portion, the envelope portion being integral with the edge of the carrier portion, the edge being at least partially defined by at least one perforation, wherein the envelope portion includes a third surface that at least partially abuts the second surface, the envelope having a housing sized to accommodate and store the transaction card when detached from the carrier portion, 
 wherein the transaction card is mounted to the first surface of the carrier portion such that the transaction card is visible on the first surface of the carrier portion and the envelope is visible on the second surface of the carrier portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The carrier card arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the envelope portion is arranged to be detached from the carrier portion at the at least one perforation. 
     
     
       3. The carrier card arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the carrier card arrangement includes adhesive, the adhesive being arranged between the third surface and the second surface to secure the envelope portion against the carrier portion. 
     
     
       4. The carrier card arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the carrier portion having has a first opening defined therein, the first opening being defined such that activation information associated with the transaction card is accessible through the first opening. 
     
     
       5. The carrier card arrangement of  claim 1  further including an opening defined in the envelope portion, the opening being sized to enable the transaction card to be placed in the envelope. 
     
     
       6. The carrier card arrangement of  claim 5  wherein the envelope portion includes a notch associated with opening. 
     
     
       7. The carrier card arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the carrier portion and the envelope are formed from a single sheet of material. 
     
     
       8. The carrier card arrangement of  claim 7  wherein the single sheet of material is a single sheet of paper stock. 
     
     
       9. A card package comprising:
 a carrier card arrangement, the carrier card arrangement including a carrier card and an envelope, the carrier card having a front surface, the envelope and the carrier card being integrally formed and sharing an edge, wherein the edge includes at least one perforation to removably detach the envelope from the carrier card; and 
 a transaction card, the transaction card being mounted at least partially on the front surface of the carrier card, 
 wherein the envelope is removably attached to a rear surface of the carrier card and only visible when the carrier card arrangement is viewed from the rear surface, and 
 wherein the envelope includes a housing sized to accommodate and store the transaction card. 
 
     
     
       10. The card package of  claim 9  wherein the carrier card further includes a back surface and the envelope at least partially contacts the back surface. 
     
     
       11. The card package of  claim 10  further including:
 at least one adhesive element, the at least one adhesive element being arranged to secure the envelope against the back surface. 
 
     
     
       12. The card package of  claim 9  wherein the transaction card includes an activation element and the carrier card includes a first opening, the activation element being accessible through the first opening. 
     
     
       13. The card package of  claim 12  wherein the activation element is mounted on the front surface of the carrier card such that the activation element is positioned over the first opening. 
     
     
       14. The card package of  claim 9  wherein the envelope is arranged to be detached from the carrier card through the at least one perforation. 
     
     
       15. The card package of  claim 9  wherein the envelope is sized to accommodate the transaction card. 
     
     
       16. The card package of  claim 15  wherein a first opening is defined in the envelope, the first opening being sized to enable the transaction card to be placed in the envelope. 
     
     
       17. The card package of  claim 9  wherein the transaction card is a CR-80 transaction card. 
     
     
       18. The card package of  claim 9  wherein the carrier card and the envelope are formed from a single sheet of material. 
     
     
       19. The card package of  claim 18  wherein the single sheet of material is a single sheet of paper stock. 
     
     
       20. A method of forming a carrier card arrangement, the method comprising:
 obtaining a single sheet of material; 
 defining a carrier card portion on the single sheet of material, the carrier card portion configured to removably mount a transaction card on a first surface using an adhesive element; 
 defining an envelope portion on the single sheet of material, wherein the carrier card portion and the envelope portion share a common perforated edge; 
 manipulating the single sheet of material to create a carrier card from the carrier card portion and to create an envelope from the envelope portion; 
 forming the envelope portion to include a housing sized to receive and store the transaction card; and 
 folding and securing the formed envelope portion to a second surface of the carrier card portion such that the envelope portion is visible only when viewed from the second surface of the carrier card portion. 
 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20  wherein the envelope is sized to accommodate a transaction card. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 20  wherein manipulating the single sheet of material includes folding the single sheet of material. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 22  wherein manipulating the single sheet of material further includes applying adhesive to create the envelope from the envelope portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to transaction cards and, more particularly, to providing a transaction card on a carrier card which includes a removable envelope into which the transaction card may be placed. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Monetary transaction cards such as pre-paid cards, e.g., gift cards, are often attached to card carriers which enable the pre-paid cards to be displayed. The pre-paid cards are typically attached to a front surface of a card carrier. The card carriers may include openings which enable the card carriers and, hence, the pre-paid cards to be displayed on a pegged display rack at a retail establishment. 
     People often give monetary transaction cards as gifts. That is, a person may purchase a monetary transaction card to present to another person to as a gift. When a person presents a monetary transaction card as a gift, he or she may present the monetary transaction card mounted on a card carrier. 
     Gifting a monetary transaction card mounted on a card carrier may be considered to be inelegant by some. Those who consider presenting a recipient with a transaction card mounted on a card carrier to be inelegant may remove the transaction card from the card carrier, and place the transaction card in a gift box or in a greeting card. However, obtaining a gift box or a greeting card may be inconvenient. That is, effectively wrapping a transaction card may be inconvenient. 
     Some monetary transaction cards are sold in packages which are ready for gifting. Such packages, in general, are formed as greeting cards or folders in which monetary transaction cards are secured inside. In such packages, the monetary transaction cards are not visible until flaps on the greeting cards or folders are opened. While such packages facilitate the giving of monetary transaction cards as gifts, they make it difficult for a purchaser to see what he or she is purchasing, as the monetary transaction cards are obscured within the packages. 
     Therefore, what is desired is a method and an apparatus which allows for a transaction card which is mounted on a surface of a card carrier to be readily presented as a gift. That is, what is needed is an arrangement which enables a gift giver to efficiently obtain and wrap a transaction card such that the transaction card may be presented as a gift, while the arrangement maintains a substantially standard footprint as a standard card carrier. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to carrier cards, including carrier cards with detachable envelopes as well as methods for forming such carrier cards. The present invention may be implemented in numerous ways, including, but not limited to, as a method, system, device, or apparatus. Example embodiments of the present invention are discussed below. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a carrier card arrangement that is suitable for carrying a transaction card includes a carrier portion and an envelope portion that is integrally formed with an edge of the carrier portion. The edge of the carrier portion is at least partially defined by at least one perforation. The carrier portion includes a first surface that is on an opposite side of the carrier portion from a second surface. The envelope portion has a third surface that at least partially abuts the second surface, and is sized to accommodate the transaction card. 
     In one embodiment, the envelope portion is arranged to be detached from the carrier portion at the at least one perforation. In another embodiment, the carrier card arrangement is formed from a single sheet of paper stock. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a card package includes a carrier card arrangement and a transaction card. The carrier card arrangement has a carrier card and an envelope. The carrier card has a front surface. The envelope and the carrier card are integrally formed and share an edge that has at least one perforation. The transaction card is mounted at least partially on the front surface of the carrier card. 
     In one embodiment, the card package also includes at least one adhesive element that secures the envelope against the back surface. In another embodiment, the transaction card includes an activation element and the carrier card includes a first opening. In such an embodiment, the activation element is accessible through the first opening. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a carrier card arrangement includes obtaining a single sheet of material, defining a carrier card portion on the single sheet of material, and defining an envelope portion on the single sheet of material. The carrier card portion and the envelope portion share a common perforated edge. The method also includes manipulating the single sheet of material to create a carrier from the carrier card portion and an envelope from the envelope portion. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is diagrammatic front-view representation of a carrier card arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is diagrammatic side-view representation of a carrier card arrangement, e.g., carrier card arrangement  104  of  FIG. 1A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1C  is diagrammatic back-view representation of a carrier card arrangement, e.g., carrier card arrangement  104  of  FIG. 1A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a diagrammatic front-view representation of a card envelope in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a diagrammatic side-view representation of a first side of a card envelope, e.g., card envelope  212  of  FIG. 2A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2C  is a diagrammatic side-view representation of a first side of a card envelope, e.g., card envelope  212  of  FIG. 2A , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic representation of an unfolded carrier card arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a process flow diagram which illustrates one method of forming a carrier card arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic representation of process of using a card package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a process flow diagram which illustrates a method of using a card package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic back-view representation of a carrier card arrangement which includes an envelope that is attached to a side of a carrier card in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Example embodiments of the present invention are discussed below with reference to the various figures. 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 embodiments. 
     Providing an envelope with a card package that includes a transaction card allows a purchaser of the card package to relatively efficiently “wrap” the transaction card in the envelope such that the transaction card may be presented as a gift. Typically, a card package includes a transaction card and a carrier card assembly which has a carrier card portion and an envelope portion. 
     A card package that includes a transaction card, e.g., a gift card, a carrier card, and an envelope is arranged such that the transaction card is visible when mounted on the carrier card. The envelope is generally coupled to the carrier card along a perforated edge or border such that the envelope may be readily detached from, or otherwise separated from, the carrier card. 
     In one embodiment, activation information that enables the transaction card to be activated may be visible when the transaction card is mounted on the carrier card. The activation information may be embodied as an activation element including, but not limited to including, a bar code, a magnetic stripe, and/or an activation code that is accessible when the transaction card is mounted on a carrier card. The accessibility of activation information allows the transaction card to be activated while mounted on the carrier card. Hence, at a point of sale of a card package, a purchaser may purchase a transaction card and an envelope in one package, while a seller may activate the transaction card, e.g., by scanning the activation element of the transaction card, without removing the transaction card from the package. 
     Referring initially to  FIGS. 1A-C , a carrier card arrangement that includes an envelope will be described in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1A  is diagrammatic representation of a front surface of a carrier card arrangement which includes an envelope. A carrier card arrangement  104  includes a carrier card  106  or a display card in which openings  116 ,  120  are formed. Opening  116  is positioned such that a bar code, magnetic stripe, and/or activation code of a transaction card (not shown) mounted on the front surface of carrier card  106  may be viewed from the back side of carrier card arrangement  104 . Because a bar code, magnetic stripe, and/or activation code of a transaction card (not shown) is visible and, hence, accessible through opening  116 , 
     Opening  120 , which is optional, is defined within carrier card  106  to enable carrier card arrangement  104  to be hung on dowels or other support apparatus for display purposes, e.g., such that carrier card arrangement  104  may be displayed in a retail establishment. Opening  120  may generally take substantially any suitable shape, such as a “sombrero” shape as shown, a circular shape, or an ovular shape. 
     An envelope  112 , as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , is coupled to carrier card  106  and is in contact with a back surface of carrier card  106 . Envelope  112  is generally sized to accommodate a transaction card (not shown). By way of example, envelope  112  may be sized to accommodate a standard CR-80 card. The coupling between envelope  112  and carrier card  106  is a perforated edge  124 , or a seam that includes perforations. Envelope  112  is coupled to carrier card  106  such that a perforated edge  124  is a long side or edge of envelope  112 , and is substantially parallel to a top edge of carrier card  106 . Typically, envelope  112  is substantially only integrally, but detachably, coupled to carrier card  106  at perforated edge  124 . However, in one embodiment, an amount of adhesive (not shown) may removably secure envelope  112  to the back surface of carrier card  106  to reduce the likelihood that envelope  112  may accidentally be detached from carrier card  106 . The amount of adhesive (not shown) may be provided as at least one drop of adhesive, or at least one continuous strip of adhesive. 
     Perforations in perforated edge  124  are generally relatively long, as shown. Although perforations in perforated edge  124  may generally be of any length, perforations that are relatively long substantially minimize the notches that are typically left on envelope  112  when envelope  112  is detached from carrier card  106 . In one embodiment, such notches are effectively hidden by folds of envelope  112 . The length of perforations in perforated edge  124  may vary widely. As such, the number of perforations in perforated edge  124  may also vary widely. By way of example, perforated edge  124  may include approximately four or five relatively long perforations. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2A-C , an envelope which is detachable from a carrier card will be described in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2A  is a front-view representation of an envelope, while  FIGS. 2B and 2C  are side-view representations of the envelope. An envelope  212  includes a notch  214  which enables a transaction card  208  held within envelope  212  to be readily removed. Notch  214  may be a thumbhole that facilitates the removal of transaction card  208  from within envelope  212  when a user&#39;s thumb makes contact with transaction card  208  through notch  214  to slide transaction card  208  out of envelope  212 . 
     Transaction card  208  may be inserted into an opening  218  that effectively forms a first side of envelope  212 . As shown in  FIG. 2B , opening  218  traverses the first side of envelope  212 , or the side of envelope  212  substantially at which notch  214  is effectively positioned. Although opening  218  is typically positioned along a short side or edge of envelope  212 , opening  218  is not limited to being positioned along the short side of envelope  212 . That is, opening  218  may instead be positioned along a long side of envelope. 
     In general, envelope  212  is formed such that one side includes an opening  218 , while other sides are substantially closed. The side substantially opposite from the side with opening  218 , as shown in  FIG. 2C , is sealed in the described embodiment. It should be appreciated, however, that in other embodiments, the side substantially opposite from the side with opening  218  may include an opening. 
     Envelope  212  may be decorated, e.g., surfaces of envelope  212  may be printed. In one embodiment, at least one surface of envelope  212  may be printed with the words “To” and “From” such that the names of a giver and a receiver, respectively, may be filled in. Envelope  212  may also be decorated with various messages including, but not limited to including, “Happy Birthday,” “Seasons Greetings,” “Thank you,” “Congratulations,” and the like. 
     Typically, a carrier card arrangement is formed from a single piece of material that is folded and glued together to define a carrier card and an envelope. The material from which a carrier card arrangement is formed may vary widely. By way of example, a carrier card arrangement may be formed from a paper material such as McCoy  120 # silk cover paper stock. It should be appreciated, however, the carrier card is not limited to being formed from a paper material. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic representation of an unfolded carrier card arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. An unfolded carrier card arrangement  304  includes an opening  316  that is arranged to enable a portion of a back of a transaction card (not shown) mounted on a front surface  314  of arrangement  304  to be viewed from the back of arrangement  304 . Openings  320   a ,  320   b  are arranged such that when arrangement  304  is folded at a fold line  334  or otherwise manipulated, openings  320   a ,  320   b  align to effectively form a single overall opening that enables arrangement  304 , when assembled, to be hung on a peg or a dowel. Arrangement  304  may be folded at fold line  334  using a machine such as a press. 
     Portions  312   a - d  are arranged to form an envelope when arrangement  304  is folded into a carrier card with an attached envelope. Perforations  324 , e.g., cuts in arrangement  304 , are arranged to delineate a border between portions  312   a - d  which are associated with envelope and a carrier card. In addition, perforations  324  are arranged to allow a formed envelope to be detached from the carrier card. 
     When the envelope is formed, folds are made along lines  336  which at least partially define portions  312   a - d . Tabs  312   c ,  312   d  are adhered, e.g., glued, to portion  312   b  to define the envelope when folds are made along lines  336 . Though tabs  312   c , tab  312   d  is typically adhered such that tab  312   d  is effectively inside of a formed envelope, tab  312   d  may instead be adhered such that tab  312   d  is on the outside of a formed envelope. 
     An overall card package may be formed using carrier card arrangement  304  when a transaction card (not shown) is secured to folded carrier card arrangement  304 , or a carrier card arrangement  304  that has effectively been assembled such that an envelope and a carrier card are substantially defined.  FIG. 4  is a process flow diagram which illustrates one method of forming a card package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A method  401  of forming or creating a card package begins at step  405  in which an unfolded carrier card arrangement is obtained. The carrier card arrangement, e.g., carrier card arrangement  304  of  FIG. 3 , generally includes an envelope portion. 
     In step  407 , the unfolded carrier card arrangement is printed. Printing the unfolded carrier card arrangement may include printing, or screening, text, graphics, and the like onto surfaces of the carrier card arrangement. By way of example, an envelope portion may be printed with a “To” and a “From” area, a front surface of the carrier card may be printed with an value of a transaction card, and a back surface of the carrier card may be printed with instructions on how to detach the envelope from the carrier card. 
     The carrier card arrangement is folded, and adhesive is applied as appropriate to the carrier card arrangement, in step  409 . The carrier card arrangement is folded such that a carrier card and an envelope are defined. Adhesive may be applied along tabs that are used to create the envelope, e.g., tab  312   c  and tab  312   d  of  FIG. 3 . 
     After the carrier card arrangement is folded and the envelope is defined, adhesive is applied in step  413  such that a body of the envelope is effectively secured against the carrier card. The adhesive may be applied to at least one predetermined location on the surface of the carrier card. It should be appreciated that applying adhesive substantially between a surface of the envelope and a surface of the carrier card such that the envelope is substantially secured against the carrier card is optional. By way of example, a surface of the envelope may be in contact with, or essentially rest against, a back of the carrier card without an adhesive holding the surface of the envelope to the back of the carrier card. 
     The transaction card is attached to the carrier card arrangement in step  417 . Typically, the transaction card is attached to a front surface of the carrier card arrangement, or not on the same surface to which the envelope is secured. In one embodiment, adhesive may be used to attach the transaction card to the carrier card arrangement. Once the transaction card is attached to the carrier card arrangement, the method of forming a card package is completed. 
     A purchaser may purchase or otherwise obtain a card package which includes a transaction card and an envelope. Upon obtaining the card package, the purchaser may elect to detach the transaction card and the envelope, and to place the transaction card in the envelope.  FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic representation of process of using a card package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A purchaser or user may obtain a card package that includes a card carrier assembly  504  on which a transaction card  508  is secured. Carrier card assembly  504  includes a carrier card  506  and an envelope  512  that is substantially integrally formed with carrier card  506 . 
     The purchaser may detach envelope  512  from carrier card  506 , e.g., by separating envelope  512  from carrier card  506  at a perforated edge (not shown). Instructions which instruct the purchaser on how to separate envelope  512  from carrier card  506  may be printed or otherwise provided on carrier card  506 , e.g., on the surface of carrier card  506  that has the perforated edge (not shown). The purchaser may also detach transaction card  508  from carrier card  506 . After the purchaser detaches, or otherwise separates, envelope  516  and transaction card  508  from carrier card  506 , the purchaser may place transaction card  508  inside envelope  512 . By way of example, as mentioned above, if the purchaser wishes to present transaction card  508  to someone as a gift, he or she may wish to place transaction card  508  inside envelope  512  as a way or presenting transaction card  508  as a gift. 
       FIG. 6  is a process flow diagram which illustrates a method of using a card package, i.e., creating a wrapped gift from components of a card package, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A process  601  of using a card package begins at step  605  in which a card package is obtained. Obtaining the card package, which includes a carrier card with an attached envelope and a transaction card, may include activating the transaction card. 
     Once the card package is obtained, the envelope is detached from the carrier card in step  609 . In general, the envelope is coupled to the carrier card at a perforated edge or seam. As such, detaching the envelope from the carrier card typically includes separating the envelope from the carrier card at the perforated edge. After the envelope is detached from the carrier card, the transaction card is then detached from the carrier card in step  613 . It should be appreciated that although the envelope is described as being detached before the transaction card, the transaction card may instead be detached before the envelope. In one embodiment, instructions on how to detach the envelope from the carrier card may be printed on, or otherwise provided on, the carrier card. 
     When both the envelope and the transaction card are effectively separated from the carrier card, the transaction card is placed in the envelope in step  617 . Placing the transaction card in the envelope may include sliding the transaction card into the envelope through an opening in the envelope. After the transaction card is placed in the envelope, the transaction card is effectively wrapped and, hence, ready to be presented as a gift. The process of using a card package is completed once the transaction card is placed in the envelope. 
     A carrier card arrangement that includes a carrier card to which an envelope is integrally, but detachably, formed has been described above as including perforations on a long edge of the envelope. It should be appreciated that an envelope may instead be integrally formed to a carrier card such that perforations which allow the envelope to be detached from the carrier card are located on a short edge of the envelope. With reference to  FIG. 7 , a back-view of a carrier card arrangement which includes an envelope that is attached to a carrier card along a short edge of the envelope will be described in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A carrier card arrangement  704  includes a carrier card  706  and an envelope  712 . Carrier card arrangement  704  also includes an opening  716  and an opening  720 . Opening  716  enables a bar code or a magnetic stripe of a transaction card (not shown) mounted on a front of carrier card  706  to be viewed, while opening  720  enables carrier card arrangement  740  to be hung on a peg. 
     Envelope  712  is coupled to carrier card  706  at a perforated edge  724 . Perforated edge  724  includes perforations arranged to enable envelope  712  to effectively be detached from, e.g., torn off of, carrier card  706 . Perforated edge  724  is substantially parallel to a side edge of carrier card  706 . While perforations in perforated edge  724  are shown as being relatively long, it should be appreciated that the perforations may instead be relatively short. More generally, perforations in perforated edge  724  may be of substantially any size. 
     An amount of adhesive, e.g., at least one spot or drop of adhesive, may be applied between a back surface of carrier card  706  and an opposing surface of envelope  712  to hold envelope against the back surface of carrier card  706 . The back surface of carrier card  706 , in one embodiment, is the opposite side from the side on which a transaction card (not shown) is mounted, and the opposing surface of envelope  712  is the surface of envelope which contacts the back surface of carrier card  706 . 
     Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that the present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention. By way of example, an envelope has generally been described as being attached to a carrier card such that a long edge of the envelope is substantially parallel to a top edge of the carrier card. However, a long edge of an envelope may instead be substantially parallel to a side edge of the carrier card. In other words, the orientation of an envelope relative to a carrier card to which the envelope is attached may vary. 
     Additionally, the size of a carrier card may vary. In general, a carrier card has a width of at least approximately four inches and a height of at least approximately 5.25 inches. For instance, if a long edge of an envelope is substantially parallel to a side edge of a carrier card, then a carrier card may have a height that is larger than 5.25 inches such that the envelope does not obscure any openings in the carrier card. In some instances, a carrier card may also be smaller than approximately four inches and a height of less than approximately 5.25 inches. 
     Transaction cards are often monetary transaction cards. Monetary transaction cards generally include smart cards, credit cards, debit cards, automatic teller machine (ATM) cards, identification (ID) cards, and pre-paid cards such as gift cards. Typically, monetary transaction cards are of a standard credit card size, or the size of a CR-80 card. It should be appreciated, however, the transaction cards are not limited to being monetary transaction cards. In general, a transaction card may be any card that allows its holder to participate in a transaction whether the transaction includes monetary value or not. 
     In one embodiment, a card package may be placed in a case, e.g., a clamshell case, which is arranged to substantially contain the entire package. For instance, a card package may be placed in a case for protective and/or security purposes. 
     The use of adhesive at a number of predetermined locations on a carrier card arrangement has been described as allowing an envelope to be formed and substantially securing the envelope against a carrier card. Adhesive has also been described as being suitable for mounting or otherwise securing a transaction card to a surface of a carrier card. The adhesive used to substantially secure an envelope against a carrier card, and the adhesive used to mount a transaction card to the carrier card, may be a fugitive glue that is arranged to enable the envelope and the transaction card to be secured against the carrier card, but still be relatively easily removed. 
     The adhesive used to form the envelope, i.e., the adhesive used to glue the tabs of the envelope to the inside surfaces of the envelope, is generally relatively strong. Unlike the fugitive glue that allows the envelope and a transaction card to be removably held against a carrier card, the adhesive used to form the envelope is not generally intended to allow the envelope to be deconstructed. As such, the adhesive used to form the envelope is typically not the same as the adhesive that allows the envelope and a transaction card to be removably held against a carrier card. 
     In general, methods which do not include the use of adhesive may be used to form an envelope, secure the envelope against a carrier card, and/or secure a transaction card to the carrier card. For example, an envelope may be formed by tucking appropriate tabs into slits such that the envelope is effectively constructed without adhesive. Additionally, a transaction card may be secured to a carrier card by inserting the transaction card in slits or cuts that are made in the carrier card. 
     While one envelope has generally been described as being formed as a part of a carrier card arrangement, it should be appreciated that more than one envelope may be formed. More than one envelope may be formed as a part of a carrier card arrangement. By way of example, if more than one transaction card is to be included as part of a card package, then a carrier card arrangement may include more than one envelope such that each transaction card effectively has a corresponding envelope. 
     The operations associated with the various methods of the present invention may vary widely. By way of example, steps may be added, removed, altered, combined, and reordered without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention. 
     The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the written description. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention should not be limited to the exact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of the invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20080825
Publication Date: 20141104
Grant Date: 20141104
Priority Date: 20080825
Inventors: BRILL JUDITH
LUONGO, JR. PHILIP J.
MACNIDER IAN S.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "B65D73/0078", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B65D73/0028", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B65D73/0078", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B65D73/0028", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B65D73/0028", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B65D73/0078", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 41695415