Stored-Value Card Integrating Bubble Wand and Solution Chamber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Stored-value cards lack an engaging feature that encourages their use and promotion, failing to effectively combine entertainment with financial transaction functionality.

Innovation Solution

A stored-value card design incorporating a bubble wand and solution packet, where the bubble wand is integrated into the card's housing, allowing users to produce bubbles, thereby enhancing user engagement and promoting card usage and reloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a stored-value card includes only basic financial transaction functionality, then the card structure remains simple and manufacturing cost is low, but user engagement and promotional effectiveness are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser engagementVSAvoidcard structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a bubble wand and bubble solution packet with the stored-value card by integrating them into a single housing structure. The bubble wand is positioned within a chamber defined by housing members, and the solution packet is sealed within the same housing, creating a multi-functional card that serves both financial transaction and entertainment purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stored-value card is transformed into a multi-functional device that simultaneously provides financial transaction capabilities through the account identifier and entertainment value through the bubble-making mechanism. This universal design allows the card to serve multiple purposes: payment, promotion, and user engagement activity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a stored-value card integrates entertainment features like a bubble wand, then user engagement and promotional effectiveness improve, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepromotional effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The card housing is divided into distinct components including first and second housing members that define separate chambers. The bubble solution is contained in a separate sealed packet within the housing, and the bubble wand is positioned in its own chamber. This segmentation allows for easier assembly and manufacturing while maintaining the integrated entertainment functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bubble solution packet is nested within the housing structure, and the bubble wand is positioned within a chamber defined by the housing members. This nested arrangement allows multiple components to be integrated into a compact card-form factor without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Duration of action of moving object

If a stored-value card includes a bubble wand and solution packet, then the card provides entertainment value and encourages repeat use, but the card size and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecard usage frequencyVSAvoidcard dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The card housing utilizes thin-walled members that define chambers while maintaining structural integrity. The bubble solution is contained in a flexible sealed packet that conforms to the available space within the housing, maximizing the use of internal volume without increasing external card dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The bubble wand chamber and solution packet are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration within the card housing, utilizing vertical and lateral spaces efficiently. This spatial arrangement allows the entertainment components to be integrated without significantly increasing the card's footprint or thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS7360710B2Stored-value card with chamber

Publication Date: 2008.04.22 TARGET BRANDS INC

AI summary

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.