Account application product, associated package and method for processing an associated application

• US 8,657,197 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2012
• Issued: 02/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Target Brands Inc. (Target Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Target Brands Inc. (Target Corporation)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Christopher, Holm, Maria S., Choi, Kristin Watnemo, Schumann, Timothy D., Bowar, Jenna, Delaney, Rachel Ann
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAIL, ALLYSON NEEL
• Application Number:
  US13/692,660
• Publication Number:
  US 20130092586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.01, 235/493, 235/487, 235/494, 705/14.17, 705/35, 705/38
• US Class Current: 235/462.01
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/06 Arrangements on packages concerning bar-codes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 27/00 Envelopes or like essentially-rectangular containers for postal or other purposes having no structural provision for thickness of contents with shock-absorbing properties B65D81/03; letter-cards B42D15/00
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/366 and forming one compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/22 Details
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/00 Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials B65D71/00, B65D83/00 take precedence; hand implements or travelling equipment A45C; cosmetic or toiletry equipment A45D; packages for surgical knives, scalpels or blades therefor A61B17/3215; containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes A61J1/00; paint cans B44D3/12; oil cans F16N3/04; containers for carrying small arms F41C33/06; packaging of ammunition or explosive charges F42B39/00; containers for record carriers, specially adapted for cooperation with the recording or reproducing apparatus G11B23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0215 Including financial accounts
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof

Abstract

An account application product includes a package, an account identifier and a terms sheet. The package includes a first panel extending from a free edge to a first fold line, a second panel extending away from the first fold line to a second fold line, and a third panel extending away from the second fold line. The first panel is folded back along the first fold line toward a first surface of the second panel to define a storage area between the first panel and the second panel. The third panel is folded forward along the second fold line toward a second surface of the second panel. The account identifier indicates an account associated with the account application product and is configured to be machine readable. The terms sheet is selectively stored in the storage area and includes printed terms for the account. Associated packages and method are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An account application product comprising:

a package comprising;

a first panel defining and extending between a first end and a second end, the first panel defining a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, each of the first surface and the second surface extending from the first end to the second end,

a first pocket coupled with the first panel and positioned to form a storage chamber along the second surface of the first panel, and

a second panel folded to define a second pocket having a storage cavity formed therein, the second panel being coupled to the first panel, and the second pocket being readily separable from a remainder of the package via a perforation line, wherein the second pocket is substantially credit card sized to fit within a wallet; and

a terms sheet selectively stored in the storage chamber, wherein the terms sheet includes printed terms for a financial account associated with the account application product;

wherein the terms sheet includes an account identifier indicating the financial account associated with the account application product wherein the account identifier is configured to be machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal.

2. The account application product of claim 1, wherein the terms sheet is a booklet, and the account identifier is one of a bar code, a magnetic strip, and a radio frequency identification device.

3. The account application product of claim 1, wherein the account identifier is configured to automatically initiate an electronic application process at the point-of-sale terminal when the account identifier is read by the point-of-sale terminal.

4. The account application product of claim 1, wherein the first pocket defines a cutout positioned to provide visual access to the account identifier on the terms sheet maintained within the storage chamber.

5. The account application product of claim 1, wherein each of the first panel, the first pocket, and the second pocket have substantially identical widths.

6. The account application product of claim 1, wherein the package is formed from a single contiguous piece of material folded to form the first panel, the first pocket, and the second pocket.

7. The account application product of claim 1, wherein the first pocket and the second pocket have substantially identical widths, and the first pocket has a height greater than about twice a height of the second pocket.

8. An account application product comprising

a package comprising:

a first panel defining and extending between a first end and a second end the first panel defining a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, each of the first surface and the second surface extending from the first end to the second end,

a first pocket coupled with the first panel and positioned to form a storage chamber along the second surface of the first panel, and

a second panel folded to define a second pocket having a storage cavity formed therein, the second panel being coupled to the first panel, and the second pocket being readily separable from a remainder of the package via a perforation line, wherein the second pocket is substantially credit card sized to fit within a wallet; and

a terms sheet selectively stored in the storage chamber, wherein the terms sheet includes printed terms for a financial account associated with the account application product;

wherein the first pocket defines a first open end such that the terms sheet slides into the storage chamber via the first open end in a first direction, the second pocket defines a second open end such that an item can be slid into the storage cavity via the second open end in a second direction.

9. The account application product of claim 8, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially perpendicular to one another.

10. An account application product comprising:

a package comprising;

a first panel defining and extending between a first end and a second end the first panel defining a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, each of the first surface and the second surface extending from the first end to the second end,

a first pocket coupled with the first panel and positioned to form a storage chamber along the second surface of the first panel, and

a second panel folded to define a second pocket having a storage cavity formed therein, the second panel being coupled to the first panel, and the second pocket being readily separable from a remainder of the package via a perforation line, wherein the second pocket is substantially credit card sized to fit within a wallet; and

a terms sheet selectively stored in the storage chamber, wherein the terms sheet includes printed terms for a financial account associated with the account application product;

wherein the second panel extends over the first surface of the first panel.

11. An account application product comprising:

a package comprising;

a first panel defining and extending between a first end and a second end the first panel defining a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, each of the first surface and the second surface extending from the first end to the second end,

a first pocket coupled with the first panel and positioned to form a storage chamber along the second surface of the first panel;

a second panel folded to define a second pocket having a storage cavity formed therein, the second panel being coupled to the first panel, and the second pocket being readily separable from a remainder of the package via a perforation line, wherein the second pocket is substantially credit card sized to fit within a wallet; and

a terms sheet selectively stored in the storage chamber, wherein the terms sheet includes printed terms for a financial account associated with the account application product;

wherein the financial account is a credit card account.

12. An account application product comprising:

a package comprising;

a first panel defining and extending between a first end and a second end the first panel defining a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, each of the first surface and the second surface extending from the first end to the second end,

a first pocket coupled with the first panel and positioned to form a storage chamber along the second surface of the first panel;

a second panel folded to define a second pocket having a storage cavity formed therein, the second panel being coupled to the first panel, and the second pocket being readily separable from a remainder of the package via a perforation line, wherein the second pocket is substantially credit card sized to fit within a wallet; and

a terms sheet selectively stored in the storage chamber, wherein the terms sheet includes printed terms for a financial account associated with the account application product;

wherein the storage cavity and the storage chamber are each thin, such that the storage cavity snugly receives the terms sheet, only when the terms sheet is folded in a substantially planar configuration.

13. An account application product comprising:

a package comprising;

a first panel defining and extending between a first end and a second end the first panel defining a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, each of the first surface and the second surface extending from the first end to the second end,

a first pocket coupled with the first panel and positioned to form a storage chamber along the second surface of the first panel, and

a second panel folded to define a second pocket having a storage cavity formed therein, the second panel being coupled to the first panel, and the second pocket being readily separable from a remainder of the package via a perforation line, wherein the second pocket is substantially credit card sized to fit within a wallet;

a terms sheet selectively stored in the storage chamber, wherein the terms sheet includes printed terms for a financial account associated with the account application product; and

a substantially planar temporary account card selectively maintained in the storage cavity, wherein the substantially planar temporary account card identifies the financial account in a manner providing access to the financial account.

14. The account application product of claim 13, wherein the substantially planar temporary account card is printed on receipt paper by a point-of-sale terminal.

15. An account application product comprising:

a package comprising;

a first panel defining and extending between a first end and a second end the first panel defining a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, each of the first surface and the second surface extending from the first end to the second end,

a first pocket coupled with the first panel and positioned to form a storage chamber along the second surface of the first panel, and

a second panel folded to define a second pocket having a storage cavity formed therein, the second panel being coupled to the first panel, and the second pocket being readily separable from a remainder of the package via a perforation line, wherein the second pocket is substantially credit card sized to fit within a wallet; and

a terms sheet selectively stored in the storage chamber, wherein the terms sheet includes printed terms for a financial account associated with the account application product;

wherein the second panel extends from the first end of the first panel and is folded about the first end of the first panel to extend over the first surface, the account application product includes a third panel extending from the second end of the first panel, and the third panel is folded about the second end of the first panel to at least partially define the first pocket.

16. An account application product comprising:

a package comprising;

a first panel defining and extending between a first end and a second end the first panel defining a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, each of the first surface and the second surface extending from the first end to the second end,

a first pocket coupled with the first panel and positioned to form a storage chamber along the second surface of the first panel;

a second panel folded to define a second pocket having a storage cavity formed therein, the second panel being coupled to the first panel, and the second pocket being readily separable from a remainder of the package via a perforation line, wherein the second pocket is substantially credit card sized to fit within a wallet; and

a terms sheet selectively stored in the storage chamber, wherein the terms sheet includes printed terms for a financial account associated with the account application product;

wherein the second panel extends from a first end of the first panel and is folded relative to the first panel to form the second pocket spaced from the first end of the first panel and positioned over the first surface of the first panel.

17. A method of facilitating application for a financial account, the method comprising:

providing a package comprising;

a first panel defining and extending between a first end and a second end, the first panel defining a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, each of the first surface and the second surface extending from the first end to the second end,

a first pocket coupled with the first panel and positioned to form a storage chamber along the second surface of the first panel;

a second panel folded to define a second pocket having a storage cavity formed therein, the second panel being coupled to the first panel the second pocket being readily separable from a remainder of the package via a perforation line, wherein when the second pocket is substantially credit card sized to fit within a wallet;

selectively positioning a terms sheet in the storage chamber, wherein the terms sheet includes printed terms for a financial account associated with the account application product; and

scanning an account identifier for a financial account on the terms sheet using a point-of-sale terminal to automatically initiate an application process for the financial account.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

printing a temporary account access card with information identifying the financial account, and

sliding the temporary account access card into the second pocket of the package.