Transaction product assembly with separable parts for reassembly

• US 9,394,095 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2013
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Target Brands Inc. (Target Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Target Brands Inc. (Target Corporation)
• Inventors: Hartman, David Andrew, Irlbeck, Brenda, Muther, Aaron, Holt, Brian R., Hernandez, Eduardo, Engeseth, Megan B., Clegg, Timothy P., Roberts, Anthony V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ackun, Jacob K
• Application Number:
  US14/138,122
• Publication Number:
  US 20140183074A1
• Time in Patent Office: 940 Days
• Field of Search: 206/461, 206/467, 206/471, 206/216, 206/223, 206/577
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/001 Making or assembling thereof, e.g. by folding
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/00 Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 73/0014 by means of separate fixing elements, e.g. clips, clamps, bands

Abstract

A transaction product assembly includes a perimeter frame defining a footprint, a plurality of parts maintained within the footprint of the perimeter frame, a transaction card, and a plurality of sprues. The transaction card includes a machine-readable account identifier linking the transaction card to an account or record, wherein the transaction card is maintained within the footprint of the perimeter frame. The plurality of sprues extend between the perimeter frame, the plurality of parts, and the transaction card to hold perimeter frame, the plurality of parts, and the transaction card together as a single piece. Areas within the footprint of the perimeter frame other than the plurality of parts, the transaction card, and the plurality of sprues remain substantially open and free of material.

Claims

1. A transaction product assembly comprising:

a perimeter frame defining a footprint;

a plurality of parts maintained within the footprint of the perimeter frame;

a transaction card including a machine-readable account identifier linking the transaction card to an account or record, wherein the transaction card is maintained within the footprint of the perimeter frame; and

a plurality of sprues extending between the perimeter frame, the plurality of parts, and the transaction card to hold the perimeter frame, the plurality of parts, and the transaction card together as a single piece;

wherein;

each of the plurality of parts are readily separable from the perimeter frame, the transaction card, and others of the plurality of parts by uncoupling the sprues from each of the plurality of parts, and

the plurality of parts are configured to be reassembled with one another substantially without the use of tools to form at least a portion of a secondary assembly,

areas within the footprint of the perimeter frame other than the plurality of parts, the transaction card, and the plurality of sprues remain substantially open and free of material,

the perimeter frame, the plurality of parts, and the transaction card are all formed as part of a first parts member, and the transaction product assembly includes a second parts member selectively coupled to the first parts member, the second parts member including an additional plurality of parts for use in forming the secondary assembly,

the second parts member includes a second perimeter frame with the additional plurality of parts being maintained within a footprint of the second perimeter frame, the second parts member defines an expanded void area within the footprint of the second perimeter frame free of any of the additional plurality of parts, and

the expanded void area aligns with the transaction card of the first parts member such that the transaction card is visible through the expanded void area substantially without obstruction.