Kelly A Ryan

US Patent:

7980475, Jul 19, 2011

Filed:

Jun 13, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/138684

Inventors:

Ted C. Halbur - Lino Lakes MN, US
Shawn P. Boyd - St. Paul MN, US
John Dudley - Western Springs IL, US
Kelly Ryan - Lemont IL, US
Denise Wilson - Aurora IL, US
Rosalin Siv - Chicago IL, US
Raphael Lin - Hong Kong, CN
Timothy P. Clegg - Manhatten Beach CA, US

Assignee:

Target Brands, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

G06K 19/00

US Classification:

235487, 235380

Abstract:

A transaction product for use as a cake topper includes a body portion, an auxiliary portion and a machine readable account identifier. The body portion defines a support member and a flange extending from the support member. The flange is configured for placement into a frosting layer on a cake. The body portion defines a first part of a character. The auxiliary portion is formed separately from the body portion and defines a second part of the character. The auxiliary portion defines a lip configured for placement into the frosting layer on the cake. The account identifier is coupled to at least one of the body portion and the auxiliary portion and links the transaction product to an account or record for tracking a value associated with the transaction product. Other cards, products, assemblies and methods of encouraging use of such cards, products and assemblies are also disclosed.