Target Brands, Inc.

Cpi Card Group-Colorado, Inc.

Paul Boge

Stacy M Jensen

John P Dwyer

Stacy Michelle Jensen

Card security apparatus and methods are provided. An obstruction layer (e.g., a hot-stamped scratch off foil label) may be provided in at least partially overlapping relation to a data field of a card (e.g., including proprietary information unique to the specific card). The obstruction layer may render all or at least a portion of the card data field unreadable in the presentation position. All or at least a portion of an exposed data field, such e.g., as an activation field, may be disposed on an outer surface of the obstruction layer such that the activation field is readable with the obstruction layer in the presentation position. Displacement of the obstruction layer may render the exposed data field, e.g., activation field, unreadable (e.g., via destruction of all or at least a portion of the obstruction layer) and the data field readable.

Card security activation label and method

A financial transaction card includes a substantially biodegradable substrate, a plurality of seeds, and an account identifier. The plurality of seeds is coupled with the substantially biodegradable substrate such that the plurality of seeds is embedded within and substantially surrounded by the substantially biodegradable substrate. When the financial transaction card is inserted into a planting composition, the substantially biodegradable substrate decomposes leaving the plurality of seeds planted in the planting composition. The account identifier is securely connected to the substrate and links the substantially biodegradable substrate to a financial account. 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.

Transaction card with seeds

A financial transaction card is associated with seeds of at least one type, where each of the seeds is configured for planting in a composition. The financial transaction card includes a substrate defining a first portion and a second portion attached to and readily separable from the first portion. The first portion includes an account identifier, which links the financial transaction card to at least one of a financial account and a financial record and is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. The second portion includes a pointed end and indicia identifying the at least one type of seeds. The second portion is configured for insertion into the composition to mark where the seeds are planted in the composition. Stored-value card assemblies, methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a stored-value card, and other embodiments are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Mora, MN, United States of America

Paul Boge