TRANSACTION CARD WITH EDGE-GLOW CHARACTERISTIC

• US 20090159691A1
• Filed: 12/19/2007
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Target Brands Inc. (Target Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Target Brands Inc. (Target Corporation)
• Inventors: HALBUR, Ted C., BORKOWSKI, Erin M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,061,619 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/491
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2033/20 Coloured material; Pigments or inks
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2033/24 Reliefs or indentations
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/24 Colours
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/45 Associating two or more layers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/02 characterised by the selection of materials, e.g. to avoid wear during transport through the machine

Abstract

A transaction card includes a single layer substrate and an account identifier. The single layer substrate is formed of a transparent polymer resin mixed with a fluorescent dye such that the single layer substrate exhibits an edge-glow characteristic. The single layer substrate is one of transparent and translucent. The account identifier is connected to the single layer substrate and links the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record. The account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. Stored-value card assemblies, methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a stored-value card and other embodiments are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A transaction card comprising:

a single layer substrate formed of a transparent polymer resin mixed with a fluorescent dye such that the single layer substrate exhibits an edge-glow characteristic, the single layer substrate being one of transparent and translucent; and

an account identifier connected to the single layer substrate, the account identifier linking the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record, the account identifier being machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal.

2. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the account identifier includes a bar code.

3. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the account identifier includes at least one of a bar code, a magnetic strip, an electronic device and a radio frequency identification (RFID) device.

4. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the fluorescent dye is a pure fluorescent dye.

5. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the transparent polymer resin is a resin of one of polycarbonate, polyester, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polybutylene terephalate.

6. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the single layer substrate defines a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the transaction card further comprising indicia printed to the first surface and a laminate applied to the first surface over the indicia.

7. The transaction card of claim 6, wherein the single layer substrate defines an outside edge, and the indicia are printed adjacent the outside edge.

8. The transaction card of claim 7, wherein the indicia are opaque and the laminate is transparent.

9. The transaction card of claim 6, wherein the single layer substrate has a thickness greater than about 0.5 mm.

10. The transaction card of claim 6, wherein the laminate covers a substantial entirety of the first surface.

11. The transaction card of claim 6, wherein the laminate is substantially planar and defines an internal surface and a external surface opposite the internal surface, the internal surface being positioned adjacent the first surface of the single layer substrate.

12. The transaction card of claim 11, wherein the indicia are first indicia, the transaction card further comprising additional indicia applied to the external surface of the laminate.

13. The transaction card of claim 12, wherein the additional indicia are raised indicia providing a tactile effect to the external surface of the laminate, wherein the tactile effect is readily observable by a bearer of the transaction card.

14. The transaction card of claim 6, wherein the account identifier is applied to the second surface.

15. The transaction card of claim 6, wherein a masked area is applied to the second surface, and the account identifier is applied to the masked area, wherein the masked area is substantially opaque and extends beyond an outer periphery of the account identifier.

16. A stored-value card comprising:

a substantially planar member that is one of translucent and transparent;

means for enhancing internal light reflection within the substantially planar member as viewed through an edge of the substantially planar member, the means for enhancing internal light reflection being applied to a first surface of the substantially planar member; and

means for linking the substantially planar member with at least one of an account and a record having a value associated therewith such that the stored-value card can be redeemed for one or more of payment toward a purchase of goods or services and use of goods or services, the means for linking the substantially planar member being connected to the substantially planar member.

17. The stored-value card of claim 16, further comprising means for creating a substantially planar external surface of the stored-value card, the means for creating the substantially planar external surface extending over the means for enhancing internal light reflection and a substantial entirety of the first surface of the substantially planar member.

18. The stored-value card of claim 17, further comprising means for providing tactile elements to the substantially planar external surface.

19. A method of providing a transaction card, the method comprising:

extruding a mixture, which includes a polymer resin and a dye, to form a substantially planar substrate that is one of translucent and transparent;

printing indicia to a first surface of the substantially planar substrate;

printing a masked area to a second surface of the substantially planar substrate, the second surface being positioned opposite the first surface of the substantially planar substrate, and the masked area being substantially opaque; and

applying an account identifier to the masked area of the transaction card, wherein the account identifier links the transaction card to an account or record.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein printing the masked area and applying the account identifier to the masked area are performed such that the masked area extends beyond an outer periphery of the account identifier

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

applying a clear laminate over the indicia and the first surface of the substantially planar substrate; and

printing additional indicia on an external surface of the clear laminate, the external surface of the clear laminate being positioned opposite the substantially planar substrate.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein printing the indicia to the first surface of the substantially planar substrate includes positioning the indicia to extend from an outer edge of the first surface into an interior of the first surface to enhance an edge-glow characteristic of the substantially planar substrate.

23. A method of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a stored-value card linked to a record or account, the method comprising:

displaying the stored-value card to a potential consumer, wherein the stored-value card includes a substantially planar substrate and an account identifier, the substantially planar substrate having an edge-glow characteristic and being one of transparent and translucent, and the account identifier being coupled with the substantially planar substrate to link the substantially planar substrate to the record or account; and

activating the record or account linked to the stored-value card to permit subsequent deductions from a value associated with the record or account for application toward one of a purchase and a use of one or more of goods and services.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein displaying the stored-value card to the potential consumer includes displaying the stored-value card as part of a stored-value card assembly including a carrier supporting and coupled to the stored-value card.