Retail packaging for transaction cards

Abstract

Retail packaging for a transaction card includes a carrier for retaining the transaction card, a transparent encasement enclosing the carrier, literature containing information associated with the transaction card placed within the encasement, and means for hanging the packaging within a retail environment. The encasement may take on a variety of forms, including having a curved outer surface forming a cavity within the encasement. The carrier may also take on a variety of forms, including forms having a main surface and a device for elevating the transaction card off the main surface to create a visual effect that the transaction card is floating within the encasement. The packaging may further include a panel that at least partially obscures the transaction card from view.

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         7 . Packaging for a transaction card comprising:
 a protective encasement comprising a front shell and a mating back shell, wherein the back shell comprises a cutout forming an opening when the front shell is mated with the back shell in a closed condition;   a carrier for retaining the transaction card within the encasement, the carrier comprising:   a main panel having a flap foldable over the main panel, the main panel and the flap being enclosed within the protective encasement;   a rear panel; and   a hinge panel attaching the rear panel to the main panel, the hinge panel extending through the opening such that the rear panel is located outside of the encasement;   wherein the transaction card may be affixed to the main panel and wherein the flap is smaller than the main panel such that when the flap is in a folded position the flap obscures a portion of the transaction card.   
     
     
         8 . The packaging of  claim 7  wherein the main panel, the rear panel, the hinge panel, and the flap are formed from a single sheet of card stock material. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging of  claim 7  wherein the flap is foldable over the main panel along a perforated fold line. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging of  claim 7  further comprising an booklet containing terms and conditions associated with the use of the transaction card placed within the protective encasement, wherein the main panel separates the instruction booklet from the transaction card. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging of  claim 7  wherein the front shell comprises a curved outer surface. 
     
     
         12 . The packaging of  claim 7  wherein the back shell comprises an inner surface and wherein a cavity is formed within the inner surface. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging of  claim 7  wherein the front and back shells are securely mated to one another along their coinciding peripheries except in an area adjacent the opening. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging of  claim 7  wherein the width of the opening is less than the width of the rear panel. 
     
     
         15 . The packaging of  claim 7  wherein the flap in a folded position obscures card identification information from view. 
     
     
         16 . The packaging of  claim 7  wherein the rear panel may be opened along the hinge panel to reveal additional consumer information. 
     
     
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