I’ve said it many times over the years that Apple patents everything from devices, apps, services, store buildings, store fixtures and packaging. While package design isn’t exactly exciting, it is to those in that work in this particular field that relates to packaging and marketing. And, since many of you will be receiving Apple redeemable cards in your Christmas stockings this year (if you haven’t been naughty), why not know the patent behind it.
This week, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted Apple a patent titled “Insert with Redeemable Code and Functionally-related Packaging.”
Redeemable codes can be used, for example with transaction cards or the like (e.g., gift cards) to represent a value (e.g., monetary value) that can be redeemed for goods, services, discounts, cash or the like. Some transaction cards may include one more redeemable codes or other visual information disposed on the card that is used to activate the card and to redeem or keep track of the value assigned to the card. For example, a user may purchase a transaction card from a vendor, and during the transaction the unique code disposed on the card can be used to activate the card so that the user may redeem the value of the card (e.g., by entering the unique code into an online system where the value of the card can be used to make purchases).
The transaction card can be any tangible card, document, or the like having information (e.g., a redeemable code) disposed thereon. The transaction card can be, for example, a stored-value card, gift card, telephone card, discount card, coupon, lottery ticket, or other card or document with redeemable code disposed thereon. The redeemable code may include, for example, any visual human-readable representation of data or any optical machine-readable representation of data. Examples include text having any number of characters or symbols, indicia, a linear barcode (e.g., a Universal Product Code), or a matrix barcode (e.g., a Quick Response “QR” Code). The transaction card or its redeemable code may have no associated value until the transaction card is activated.
Since the information disposed on the card can be associated with a certain value, it can be desirable to secure the redeemable code such that only an authorized user (e.g., the purchaser of the card) may view the redeemable code. For example, traditional gift cards may include a redeemable code concealed by a conceal strip and/or within a packaging. The gift card may also include an activation code, printed on the gift card itself, for activating the gift card. The activation code may be visible/accessible through a window of the packaging (e.g., a rectangular window around the activation code).
The following disclosure relates to a packaged redeemable code system. The packaged redeemable code system can include a sleeve and an insert. When packaged, the sleeve can contain or enclose the insert. When unpackaged, the insert can be removed from the sleeve in order to provide access to aspects of the insert. In embodiments, the sleeve forms a pocket and the insert is pulled out of the pocket in order to access aspects of the insert.
Apple’s patent FIG. 1 below illustrates a front view of a packaged redeemable code system; FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the packaged redeemable code system of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 shows a rear view of an insert; FIG. 9 shows a top view of an insert positioned on an unassembled sleeve; FIG. 11 shows adhesive applied to the unassembled sleeve of FIG. 9; FIG. 12 shows the sleeve of FIG. 9 folded over upon itself.
For more details, review Apple’s granted patent US 11498734 B2.
