Separable Transaction Card Assembly with Electrostatic Clings

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Stored-value cards, such as gift cards, lack innovative features that enhance their appeal and functionality beyond traditional payment methods, failing to effectively engage consumers and encourage repeat usage.

Innovation Solution

A transaction product design featuring a separable and reassemblable structure with statically charged clings, allowing the card to stand upright and be customized with various costumes, increasing its appeal as both a financial transaction tool and a playable figurine.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional stored-value card design is used, then the card maintains simplicity and ease of manufacture, but it lacks innovative features that enhance consumer engagement and repeat usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsumer engagementVSAvoidcard structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The card is divided into two separable portions: a subject portion and a stand portion. This segmentation allows the card to transform from a flat two-dimensional object into a three-dimensional standing figurine, enhancing consumer engagement while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through separate molding of each portion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The card serves multiple functions: it operates as a traditional stored-value payment card when inserted into the terminal, and simultaneously functions as a standalone three-dimensional figurine that can stand upright on surfaces. This multi-functionality increases consumer engagement without significantly complicating the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separable card structure is implemented, then the card can be reassembled in different configurations to stand upright, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestanding configurationVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The subject portion and stand portion are designed to nest together through complementary geometric features. The subject portion contains recesses that receive protrusions from the stand portion, creating a self-aligning assembly process that reduces manufacturing complexity despite the separable design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The line of weakness is pre-formed during manufacturing to facilitate easy separation, and the complementary geometric features are pre-designed to guide proper reassembly. This preliminary preparation prevents manufacturing difficulties during the separation and reassembly operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the card portions are separated and reassembled, then the card gains figurine functionality, but the structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefigurine functionalityVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Both the subject portion and stand portion are made from the same rigid plastic material with consistent mechanical properties. This composite approach ensures that the reassembled figurine maintains adequate structural integrity for its intended use as a display item, while the material uniformity simplifies the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The dual functionality of the card as a payment method and a customizable figurine enhances consumer engagement, encouraging repeat use and increasing its appeal to both initial buyers and recipients, while maintaining its monetary value and transactional capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

The transaction card assembly includes a plurality of electrostatic clings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS7900827B2Transaction card assembly with subject and stand portions, electrostatic clings and a backer

Publication Date: 2011.03.08 TARGET BRANDS INC

AI summary

A transaction product includes a subject portion defining a first slot, a stand portion defining a second slot having a similar width as the first slot, and an account identifier. The stand portion is coupled to the subject portion along a line of weakness and is readily separable from the subject portion along the line of weakness without using tools. The account identifier is fixedly connected to one of the subject portion and the stand portion and links that portion to at least one of an account and a record. When separated, the subject portion and the stand portion are configured to be reassembled such that the first slot receives a thickness of the stand portion and the second slot receives a thickness of the subject portion. Stored-value cards, combinations, methods of facilitating use of a transaction product and other embodiments are also disclosed.