Target Brands, Inc.

Kim O Lindahl

Primoz Samardzija

Timothy P Clegg

Ted C Halbur

Erin M Borkowski

Travis M Robertson

Jamie Parker

Tim D Schumann

Vicki L Domka

David Sha

John J Butcher

John J Kaiser

Bonnie Eggleston

Ellen A Boldt

Kelly Kuhn-Wallace

Eric B Erickson

Mark A Schultz

Barcodes are provided that convey images to help consumers and/or to help identify information about the origin of an article. The images conveyed by the barcodes may be associated with a merchant, a department, an event, a season, a theme or a product, for example. The barcodes may be placed on any number of articles including purchaser receipts, gift receipts, marketing receipt coupons, paper coupons, electronic coupons, rewards cards, gift cards, registry printouts, and products/packaging, for example. Under some embodiments, the barcodes help consumers to associate articles with a particular merchant or department. Under other embodiments, the barcodes help consumers to distinguish purchaser receipts from gift receipts. In some embodiments, the barcodes are generated dynamically by altering font-based barcodes to convey the image.

Barcodes with graphical elements

A financial transaction card includes a substrate, a member, and a rim. The substrate is formed of a first material and defines a first major surface and an aperture extending though the substrate. The substrate further includes an account identifier linking the financial transaction card to at least one of a financial account and a financial record and is configured for use a payment toward a purchase. The member is formed separately from the substrate and defines a perimeter edge. The rim extends around at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the member and is coupled with the first major surface of the substrate adjacent the aperture in a manner at least partially coupling the member to the substrate such that the aperture and the member align with one another. Other products and methods are also disclosed.

Financial transaction card with insert member

A financial transaction card includes a substrate and a visual distortion member. The substrate defines an aperture and includes an account identifier. The account identifier links the financial transaction card to at least one of a financial account and a financial record. The visual distortion member is positioned at least partially within the aperture and coupled with the substrate, and the visual distortion member is configured to distort images viewed therethrough. Methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a stored-value card, and other financial transaction card embodiments are also disclosed.

Financial transaction card with visual effect

A transaction card includes a substrate, a plurality of adhesive dots, and a plurality of beads. The substrate includes an account identifier linking the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record, and the account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. The plurality of adhesive dots is applied to a surface of the substrate. The plurality of beads are each individually secured to the surface of the substrate with a separate one of the plurality of adhesive dots. Stored-value card assemblies, methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a stored-value card, and other embodiments are also disclosed.

Transaction card with beads

A stored-value card includes a first housing member, a second housing member, and an account identifier. The first housing member defines a chamber, and the second housing member defines a cavity. The second housing member is coupled with the first housing member to place the chamber and the cavity in communication with each other and to enclose the chamber and the cavity between the first housing member and the second housing member. The first housing member and the second housing member collectively define a housing. The account identifier is coupled with the housing, is machine readable, and is adapted to link the stored-value card to a financial account or a financial record. Financial transaction cards, methods of promoting sales of stored-value cards, methods of using a stored-value card and other embodiments are also disclosed.

Stored-value card with chamber

A stored-value card includes a housing and a bubble wand. The housing includes an account identifier adapted to link the stored-value card to a financial account or a financial record. The bubble wand is enclosed within the housing and is configured to transition from a first position within the housing to a second position outside of the housing. Stored-value card assemblies, methods of promoting sales of stored-value cards, methods of using a stored-value card and other embodiments are also disclosed.

Stored-value card with bubble wand

A stored-value card includes a housing and at least one internal wall substantially enclosed within the housing. The housing includes an account identifier signifying a financial account or record linked to the stored-value card. The at least one internal wall is configured to define an airflow chamber within the housing. The housing defines an opening leading into the airflow chamber. The stored-value card is configured to produce a whistle sound when air enters the airflow chamber from the opening and moves within the airflow chamber.

Growing community of inventors

Golden Valley, MN, United States of America

Kim O Lindahl