TRANSACTION CARD PACKAGE ASSEMBLY HAVING ENHANCED SECURITY

• US 20070252009A1
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blackhawk Network Incorporated (Albertsons Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Blackhawk Marketing Services Incorporated
• Inventors: Kingsborough, Donald, Roche, Talbott, Petersen, Amie, Llach, Teri
• Granted Patent: US 7,753,262 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/487
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 15/045 Multi-part cards or sheets, i.e. combined with detachably mounted articles
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2033/40 with a foldable or removable part
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/08 Alphanumerical data
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/16 Bars or lines
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/00 Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof printing processes to produce identification or security features B41M3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/20 characterised by a particular use or purpose
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/285 Gift cards
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/369 Magnetised or magnetisable materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/005 the record carrier comprising an arrangement to facilitate insertion into a holding device, e.g. an arrangement that makes the record carrier fit into an etui or a casing ticket holders A45C11/18
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/073 Special arrangements for circuits, e.g. for protecting identification code in memory protection against unauthorised use of computer memory G06F12/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07798 part of the antenna or the integrated circuit being adapted for rupturing or breaking, e.g. record carriers functioning as sealing devices for detecting not-authenticated opening of containers electronic seals G09F3/03

Abstract

A transaction card package assembly comprising a transaction card connected to a first panel via a releasable interface, wherein the first panel is affixed to a second panel such that upon releasing the interface, the first panel remains affixed to the second panel and the transaction card is released from the package assembly.

Claims

1. A transaction card package assembly comprising a transaction card connected to a first panel via a releasable interface, wherein the first panel is affixed to a second panel such that upon releasing the interface, the first panel remains affixed to the second panel and the transaction card is released from the package assembly.

2. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the interface is a snap and break interface.

3. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the interface is a perforated interface.

4. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the transaction card and the first panel comprise a molded sheet of plastic and the interface is a score or break line there between.

5. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the transaction card and the first panel comprise a rigid paper or cardboard and the interface is a series of perforations there between.

6. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the second panel is a rack hanger having an opening for receipt of a rack or shelf rod.

7. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the width of the first panel is less than half the width of the transaction card.

8. The package assembly of claim 7 wherein the length and width of the rack hanger is greater than the length and width of the transaction card affixed to the first panel.

9. The package assembly of claim 6 further comprising a window such that information on the back of the transaction card, the first panel, or both is visible from the back of the rack hanger.

10. The package assembly of claim 9 wherein an EAN/UCC-128 bar code is located on the back of the first panel and is visible through the window.

11. The package assembly of claim 10 wherein the EAN/UCC-128 bar code spans the interface between the transaction card and the first panel, thereby providing a security code for the package assembly.

12. The package assembly of claim 11 wherein a numeric portion of the EAN/UCC-128 bar code spans the interface between the transaction card and the first panel, thereby providing a security code for the package assembly.

13. The package assembly of claim 1 further comprising a security code spanning the transaction card and the card holder such that upon removal of the transaction card from the card holder, the security code is broken and a portion of the security code is present on the transaction card and a portion of the security code is present on the card holder.

14. The package assembly of claim 13 wherein the security code is a unique sequence of letters, numbers, characters, symbols, pictures, designs, graphics, or combinations thereof.

15. The package assembly of claim 13 wherein the broken security code provides a visual indication of potentially fraudulent activity.

16. The package assembly of claim 13 wherein the broken security code provides a tactile indication of potentially fraudulent activity.

17. The package assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least three unique identifiers thereon such that the transaction card may be activated at a point of sale by either a one-step or two-step activation process.

18. The package assembly of claim 17 wherein at least one identifier is present on the transaction card or first panel and is visible through a window in the second panel.

19. The package assembly of claim 18 wherein the three unique identifiers comprise a vendor product identification code contained an EAN/UCC-12 bar code, an issuer account code contained in a magnetic stripe or an issuer bar code, and a combination vendor product identification and issuer account code contained in an EAN/UCC-128 bar code.

20. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the first panel comprises an EAN/UCC-128 bar code and the transaction card comprises a magnetic stripe, an issuer bar code, or both.

21. The package assembly of claim 1 further comprising a third panel connected to the transaction card via a releasable interface.

22. The package assembly of claim 21 wherein the third panel further comprises a magnetic stripe.

23. The package assembly of claim 22 wherein the magnetic stripe on the third panel contains an activation code for activating an account associated with the transaction card, wherein the activation code is not the same as the account number.