Finger puppet stored-value card

• US 7,717,335 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2006
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Target Brands Inc. (Target Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Target Brands Inc. (Target Corporation)
• Inventors: Halbur, Ted C., Robertson, Travis M.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US11/542,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20080078832A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,323 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/487, 235/489
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/08 of flat paper to be cut-out, folded, or clothed
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 3/14 into which the fingers of the hand can be inserted, e.g. hand-puppets
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/342 Cards defining paid or billed services or quantities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/347 Passive cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/351 Virtual cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/025 by means, e.g. cards, providing billing information at the time of purchase, e.g. identification of seller or purchaser, quantity of goods delivered or to be delivered

Abstract

A stored-value card includes a substrate including an account identifier and a graphical depiction of a character. The account identifier links the stored-value card to at least one of a financial account and a financial record. The substrate defines an aperture configured to receive a portion of a finger of a card bearer. The aperture is positioned relative to the character such that, when the finger is received by the at least one aperture, the finger appears as an appendage of the character. Methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a stored-value card, and other stored-value card embodiments are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A stored-value card comprising:

a substrate including an account identifier and a graphical depiction of a character, the account identifier linking the stored-value card to at least one of a financial account and a financial record, wherein the substrate is substantially planar;

wherein the substrate defines an aperture configured to receive a portion of a finger of a card bearer and where the aperture is positioned relative to the character such that, when the finger is received by the aperture, the finger appears as an appendage of the character; and

wherein the aperture is a first aperture and the finger of the card bearer is a first finger, the stored-value card comprising a second aperture configured to receive at least a portion of a second finger of the card bearer such that, when the first and second fingers are received by the first and second apertures, the first and second fingers appear as first and second appendages of the character.

2. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the aperture is substantially circular and has a diameter of at least about 1.5 cm.

3. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the account identifier is included on a first surface of the substrate, and the graphical depiction of the character is included on a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface.

4. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the first appendage is a leg.

5. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the account identifier includes a bar code.

6. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the substrate includes at least one of brand indicia and redemption indicia.

7. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the character is one of an animal, a person, a toy, and a fictional being.

8. The stored-value card of claim 1, in combination with a backer configured to wrap the stored-value card and defining a window, wherein the stored-value card is coupled to the backer such that the account identifier is viewable through the window.

9. The combination of claim 8, wherein the backer includes instructional indicia configured to be at least partially viewed through the first aperture of the stored-value card.

10. The stored-value card of claim 9, wherein the backer is initially positioned to extend over the first and second apertures preventing the first and second fingers of the card bearer from being placed through the first and second apertures, and the stored-value card is readily removable from the backer to allow the first and second fingers of the card bearer to each be placed through respective ones of the first and second apertures to appear as first and second appendages of the character.

11. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the substrate defines a front substantially planar surface opposite a rear substantially planar surface, the graphical depiction of the character is included on the front substantially planar surface of the substrate, and each of the first and second apertures extends from the front substantially planar surface to the back substantially planar surface such that the substrate is configured to receive the first and second fingers, which are part of a hand of the card bearer, such that the first finger extends through the first aperture and the second finger extends through the second aperture, and the first and second fingers both extend at least partially in front of the front substantially planar surface while a remainder of the hand is positioned behind the rear substantially planar surface.

12. The stored-value card of claim 11, wherein the second aperture is spaced from the first aperture, and the first aperture and the second aperture are each positioned off-center with respect to an overall length and an overall width of the substrate.

13. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the substrate is substantially rectangular, and the first aperture is positioned off-center with respect to an overall length and an overall width of the substrate.

14. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are each located proximate to a substantially linear edge of the substrate such that the first finger and second finger are able to extend beyond the substantially linear edge of the substrate when received by the first aperture and the second aperture.

15. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are each located proximate to a substantially linear edge of the substrate such that the first finger and second finger are able to curl around the substantially linear edge of the substrate when received by the first aperture and the second aperture.

16. The stored-value card of claim 1, wherein the substrate forms a shape including a length and a width, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are each located at a position on the substrate such that the first aperture and the second aperture are centered with respect to the length and off-centered with respect to the width.

17. The stored-value card of claim 16, wherein:

the substrate is substantially planar and defines two opposing lateral edges and a longitudinal edge extending between the two opposing lateral edges,

the length is defined between the two opposing lateral edges,

the first and second apertures are each located proximate to the longitudinal edge of the substrate such that the first and second fingers are able to extend beyond and wrap around the longitudinal edge of the substrate when received by the first and second apertures, and

the first and second apertures are each positioned closer to the longitudinal edge than to each other.

18. A finger puppet comprising:

means for depicting a subject;

means for receiving a first naked finger of a bearer such that the first naked finger of the bearer serves and appears as a first animated portion of the subject;

means for receiving a second naked finger of the bearer such that the second naked finger of the bearer serves and appears as a second animated portion of the subject, wherein the means for receiving the second naked finger is separate and spaced from the means for receiving the first naked finger; and

means for linking the means for depicting to a financial account or record.

19. The finger puppet of claim 18, wherein the means for depicting a subject is a substantially planar member printed with the subject.

20. The finger puppet of claim 19, wherein the planar member is wallet-sized.

21. The finger puppet of claim 18, wherein the means for linking is included on the means for depicting.

22. The finger puppet of claim 18, wherein the means for linking includes a bar code.

23. The finger puppet of claim 18, wherein the means for receiving the first naked finger and the means for received the second naked finger are each defined through the means for depicting and are each positioned adjacent the subject.

24. The finger puppet of claim 18, in combination with means for supporting the finger puppet for display in a retail setting, wherein the means for supporting includes means for permitting access to the means for linking through the means for supporting.

25. The finger puppet of claim 18, in combination with a supporting member, wherein the supporting member is coupled to the finger puppet and includes instructions for using the finger puppet, the supporting member is positioned relative to the finger puppet such that the instructions are at least partially viewable through at least one of the means for receiving the first naked finger and the means for receiving the second naked finger.

26. The finger puppet of claim 25, wherein the instructions are at least partially viewable through both of the means for receiving the first naked finger and the means for receiving the second naked finger.

27. The finger puppet of claim 18, wherein:

the means for receiving the first naked finger and the means for receiving the second naked finger are each located proximate to a substantially linear edge of the means for depicting the subject such that the first naked finger and second naked finger are able to extend beyond and curl around the substantially linear edge when received by the means for receiving the first naked finger and the means for receiving the second naked finger; and

the means for depicting the subject forms a shape including a length and a width, wherein the means for receiving the first naked finger and the means for receiving the second naked finger are each located at a position on the substrate such that the means for receiving the first naked finger and the means for receiving the second naked finger are centered with respect to the length and off centered with respect to the width.

28. A method of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a financial transaction card, the method comprising:

displaying a financial transaction card including an account identifier linking the financial transaction card to a financial account or record, the financial transaction card including a character depiction and including at least one opening configured to receive at least a portion of a human finger of a financial transaction card bearer, such that when the finger is received by the at least one opening, the finger appears as a portion of the character depiction, wherein displaying the financial transaction card includes informing potential consumers that the financial transaction card functions as a finger puppet; and

activating the financial transaction card to permit deductions from the financial account or record.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising receiving the financial transaction card as payment for goods or services, at least a portion of a value of the goods or services being deducted from the financial account or the financial record.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein displaying the financial transaction card includes displaying the financial transaction card coupled to a backer such that the backer supports the financial transaction card while on display.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the displaying the financial transaction card includes showing a potential consumer that the financial transaction card is substantially planar, defines a front surface opposite a rear surface with the character depiction being included on the front surface of the financial transaction card, and defines the at least one opening to extend from the front surface to the back surface of the financial transaction card, and wherein the financial transaction card is configured to receive the portion of the human finger, which is part of a human hand, through the at least one opening in a manner allowing the finger to at least partially extend in front of the front surface of the financial transaction card while a remainder of the human hand remains behind the rear surface of the financial transaction card.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the at least one opening is a first opening configured to receive the human finger, which is a first human finger, and displaying the financial transaction card comprises showing the potential consumer a second opening defined by the financial transaction card and showing the potential consumer that each of the first opening and the second opening are positioned off-center with respect to an overall length and an overall width of the financial transaction card, and wherein the second opening is configured to receive at least a portion of a second human finger of the human hand such that, when the first finger and the second finger are each received by respective ones of the first opening and the second opening of the financial transaction card, the character depiction is configured to visually correspond with the first finger and the second finger such that the first finger appears as a first appendage of the character depiction and the second finger appears as a second appendage of the character depiction.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein displaying the financial transaction card includes showing potential consumers that the financial transaction card is substantially rectangular and defines the at least one opening in an off-center position with respect to an overall length and an overall width defined by the financial transaction card.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein informing potential consumers that the financial transaction card functions as a finger puppet includes providing visual promotional information regarding non-transactional use of the finger-puppet on a carrier, wherein the carrier is coupled to the financial transaction card to support the financial transaction card and is positioned such that the visual promotional information is at least partially viewable through the at least one opening.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein:

the at least one opening is located proximate to a substantially linear edge of the financial transaction card such that the portion of the human finger is able to extend beyond and curl around the substantially linear edge of the financial transaction card when received by the at least one opening; and

the financial transaction card forms a shape including a length and a width, wherein the at least one opening is located at a position on the financial transaction card such that the at least one opening is centered with respect to the length and off-centered with respect to the width.

36. A combination comprising:

a stored-value card comprising;

a substrate including an account identifier and a graphical depiction of a character, the account identifier linking the stored-value card to at least one of a financial account and a financial record, wherein the substrate is substantially planar, and the substrate defines an aperture configured to receive a portion of a finger of a card bearer and where the aperture is positioned relative to the character such that, when the finger is received by the aperture, the finger appears as an appendage of the character; and

a backer supporting the stored-value card, wherein the backer includes instructional indicia regarding use of the stored-value card as a finger puppet, and the instructional indicia is positioned to be at least partially viewed through the aperture of the substrate.

37. The combination of claim 36, wherein:

the aperture is located proximate to a substantially linear edge of the substrate such that the finger is able to extend beyond and curl around the substantially linear edge of the substrate when received by the aperture; and

the substrate forms a shape including a length and a width, wherein the aperture is located at a position on the substrate such that the aperture is centered with respect to the length, and off-centered with respect to the width.

38. A combination comprising:

a finger puppet comprising;

means for depicting a subject,

means for receiving a first finger of a bearer such that the first finger of the bearer serves as a first animated portion of the subject,

means for receiving a second finger of the bearer such that the second finger of the bearer serves as a second animated portion of the subject, wherein the means for receiving the second finger is separate and spaced from the means for receiving the first finger, and

means for linking the means for depicting to a financial account or record; and

a supporting member, wherein the supporting member is coupled to the finger puppet and includes instructions for using the finger puppet, the supporting member is positioned relative to the finger puppet such that the instructions are at least partially viewable through at least one of the means for receiving the first finger and the means for receiving the second finger.

39. The finger puppet of claim 38, wherein the instructions are at least partially viewable through both of the means for receiving the first finger and the means for receiving the second finger.

40. The combination of claim 38, wherein:

the means for receiving the first finger and the means for receiving the second finger are each located proximate to a substantially linear edge of the means for depicting the subject such that the first finger and second finger are able to extend beyond and curl around the substantially linear edge when received by the means for receiving the first finger and the means for receiving the second finger; and

the means for depicting the subject forms a shape including a length and a width, wherein the means for receiving the first finger and the means for receiving the second finger are each located at a position on the substrate such that the means for receiving the first finger and the means for receiving the second finger are centered with respect to the length, and off- centered with respect to the width.