Stored value card package with a combined UPC and activation magnetic stripe
An integrated breakaway package with one or more stored value card is presented in which a card magnetic stripe is found on each stored value card and a package magnetic stripe is found on an end portion of the breakaway packaging. Each card magnetic stripe identifies an account associated with the stored value card. The package magnetic stripe contains both a Universal Product Code associated with the package as well as account activation information. The Universal Product Code identifies the package and card at a point of sale device to allow completion of a sales transaction. The activation information identifies all of the accounts associated with the stored value cards attached to the package. The breakaway package can also be attached to or enclosed within a card carrier package.
1 . A breakaway stored value card package comprising:
a) at least one stored value card having a card magnetic stripe,
b) an end portion of the package, the end portion and the stored value cards being formed from a single sheet of material and being divided by a score line, the end portion having a packaging magnetic stripe;
c) the card magnetic stripe containing identifying information for an account; and
d) the packaging magnetic stripe having:
i) a Universal Product Code for identifying the package at a point of sale location; and
ii) account identifying information for identifying the accounts for all of the stored value cards.
2 . The package of claim 1 , wherein the package has at least two stored value cards.
3 . A method for purchasing and activating at least one stored value card comprising:
a) providing a stored value card package containing
i) the stored value cards, with each stored value card having a card magnetic stripe containing identifying information for an account, and
ii) a packaging magnetic stripe containing a UPC code and account identifying information for identifying the accounts for all of the stored value cards;
b) reading only the packaging magnetic stripe at a point of sale location to read both the UPC code and the account identifying information;
c) using the UPC code to update purchase transaction database so as to register the sale of the stored value card package; and
d) using the account identifying information to activate the accounts associated with the stored value cards.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the stored value card package contains at least two stored value cards that are activated in step d).
5 . A method for manufacturing a stored value card package comprising:
a) using a single sheet of material to form at least one stored value card and an end portion of the package, the at least one stored value card being separated from the end portion of the package by an unbroken score line;
b) locating a card magnetic stripe on each stored value card;
c) locating a package magnetic stripe on the end portion of the package; and
d) encoding all of the card magnetic stripes and the package magnetic stripe in an encoding machine in a single pass, each card magnetic stripe being encoded with an account identifying information for a single stored value card account, while the package magnetic stripe being encoded with a Universal Product Code for the stored value card package and account identifying information to identify all of the accounts identified in the card magnetic stripes.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein at least two stored value cards are formed in the single sheet of material.