Identification card strip assembly

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6197396
  • Patent Number
    6,197,396
  • Date Filed
    Monday, February 1, 1999
    26 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, March 6, 2001
    24 years ago
Abstract
An identification card strip assembly including a support strip having thereon at least one, and preferably a plurality of identification card blanks removably and adhesively adhered to the support strip. Each identification card blank has a front printing surface for printing indicia thereon and a rear adhesive surface having an adhesive thereon. The rear adhesive surface is removably and adhesively adhered to the support strip. The card blank includes a first sheet and a second sheet foldably connected to each other along a fold line. Each sheet has at least one substantially identically shaped aperture therein. Each of the sheets is of a size and shape and the aperture is located in each sheet so that when the card blank is removed from the support strip and the sheets are folded along the fold line upon each other with the adhesive surfaces joined to each other, the first sheet and second sheets are substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive with each other and the apertures in each sheet overlay each other to form a mounting means for mounting the card on an object. Alternatively, each sheet has at least one substantially identically shaped aperture area therein in the shape of an aperture, the aperture area being defined by a continuous slit in the sheet and being severable from the sheet along the slit. Each aperture area is located in each sheet so that when the card blank is removed from the support strip and the sheets are folded along the fold line upon each other with the adhesive surfaces joined to each other, the aperture areas in each sheet are substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive. The aperture areas may then be removed from the sheets by severing along the slits to form a mounting means for mounting the card on an object.In preferred embodiments, the identification cards are uniquely and symmetrically shaped about the fold line so that when the card blank is removed from the support strip and the sheets are folded along the fold line upon each other with the adhesive surfaces joined to each other, the unique shapes are substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive to form a predetermined non-rectangular configuration, e.g., computer monitor, house, automobile, etc. that is relevant, for example, to the conference or meeting.The process for producing the identification cards comprises printing indicia on the printing surface of at least one of the first and second sheets of each card blank, removing the card blank from the support strip, folding the first and second sheets along the fold line upon each other with the adhesive surfaces joined to each other. The card may then be mounted on an object.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




This invention relates to cards and badges for identification and security and specifically to thin paper or cardboard badges which can be easily manufactured, preferably in unique configurations, printed and written upon, and distributed using computerized equipment to provide the capability of customizing printing, color, content and speed of delivery at low costs.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




A primary disadvantage of known identification cards is that they are generally stiff and relatively thick and cannot pass through, for example, a laser printer. At meetings, conventions and seminars it has become desirable to place large amounts of data on a card, including bar codes, names, company name and address, etc. Further, identification cards that are made of plastic are not “environmentally friendly,” they will not biodegrade. To date there has not been an effective system available. Additionally, it is desirable for certain type functions to have an identification card that not only has such data thereon but also is uniquely shaped to emphasize the type function for which the card is being used.




U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,454,180; 4,547,252; and 4,648,930 to La Mers disclose a labeling system employing an elongated label strip used with motor driven sprocket rollers for sequentially delivering labels to a mechanism operable to apply each label to an object. These patents describe a carrier web consisting of a series of labels with viscous pressure sensitive adhesive applied to a carrier strip of paper which has been coated on the label side with a release agent. The labels are removed by moving them sequentially by pulling the carrier strip around a relatively sharp edge under tension. The label, because of its stiffness, releases from the carrier web and continues in a straight line over the edge rather than bend sharply and follow the carrier web. The labels shown in the La Mers patents are mounted on a carrier which employs a center line cut therein to facilitate the rapid and accurate removal of labels.




U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,716 to Haas describes a computerized processing of identification badges employing a base carrier portion in the form of a web carrier. The web carrier has perforated end portions formed integrally therewith so that the sprockets of automated computerized printing equipment can be used to engage the carrier web. The carrier web also is formed into sections via a lateral perforation so that each section is removable, one from the other. The badges are each removably adhesively mounted on individual ones of the sections. The badge may be peeled away from the carrier web without any adhesive remaining on the badge. The badge employed is relatively stiff, being formed of plastic material, and has an elongated slot formed on the upper central portion thereof so that the badge can be affixed to the person via a spring clip.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,836 to Burke describes a tag assembly wherein the tag sheet is cut to provide a plurality of discrete tags which may be removed from the carrier sheet. Burke requires that the adhesive be applied to a major portion of the carrier sheet and be adapted to be retained on the sheet and not on the tag when the tag is removed so that there is no residue or adhesive remaining on the tags. There is no teaching or suggestion of a double layered card capable of being printed on both sides.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,976 to Popat et al describes a three layered card comprising laminations surrounding a card having only one surface for printing thereon. Additionally, there is no provision for attaching the card to a person's clothing. There is no teaching or suggestion of a double layered card capable of being printed on both sides.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,938 to Schmidt describes a breast pocket ID card. There is no provision for providing a double layered laminated card that can be printed upon on both sides and mounted on a clip for attachment to clothing.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,037 to Keller describes a foldable semirigid plastic card made of polyvinylchloride that can not be printed upon with a laser printer, i.e., it is semirigid. Additionally, the layers are not adhered to each other by an adhesive.




There are numerous other patents relating to identification cards and badges, methods of producing them, and their use. See, for example, the following U.S. Patents:





















2,395,804 to DeGruchy




  767,647 to Bree







3,175,317 to Slavsky




4,790,566 to Boissier







3,996,679 to Warneke




4,869,941 to Ohki







4,020,575 to Kruger et al




4,999,065 to Wilfert







4,170,015 to Elliano et al




5,019,421 to Mecke et al







4,222,662 to Kruegle




5,106,719 to Oshikoshi et al







4,305,215 to Smith




5,157,424 to Craven et al







4,579,754 to Maurer et al




5,161,826 to Van Giesen et al







4,596,409 to Holbein




5,219,610 to Koshizuka et al







4,680,459 to Drexler




5,270,073 to Koshizuka et al







4,687,526 to Wilfert




5,380,695 to Chiang et al







4,692,394 to Drexler




5,421,619 to Dyball







4,695,173 to Tomida




5,427,832 to Longtin















None of these references however provide an inexpensive and easy to use alternative to the relatively thick polymeric badges and holders presently used for seminars, corporate meetings, conferences and shows.




OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




An object of this invention is to provide an identification card or badge system which can be easily automated using computer equipment to rapidly imprint badges with computer stored information and to enable the badges to be handled in the same manner as continuous fan fold computer paper.




Another object of this invention is to provide an identification badge or card which can be generated at the location where the same will be used, such as at a trade show.




Yet another object of the invention is to provide an identification card strip assembly wherein the cards can be made of thin paper or cardboard, printed thereon with, for example a laser printer, and then assembled into a sturdy, relatively thick identification card.




A still further object of the invention is to provide a relatively sturdy identification badge which can be easily printed thereon and affixed to the wearer without the use of any adhesive.




Yet another object of this invention is to provide an identification badge with a non-reflective exposed surface such that when the badge is passed through an electronic scanner or reader, e.g., bar code slot reader/scanner, the badge surface can be placed in substantial contact with the reader or scanner without an overlying plastic covering or coating to interfere with the scanner and to thereby provide a more accurate and rapid reading of the badge.




All of the foregoing objects of this invention are achieved by the identification card strip assembly of this invention and the process of using it to produce the identification cards described herein. Broadly, the identification card strip assembly comprises a support strip having thereon at least one, and preferably a plurality of identification card blanks removably and adhesively adhered to the support strip. The assembly is sufficiently flexible to pass through, for example, a laser printer or pin feed printer. Each identification card blank has a front printing surface for printing indicia thereon and a rear adhesive surface having an adhesive thereon. The rear adhesive surface is removably and adhesively adhered to the support strip. The card blank includes a first sheet and a second sheet foldably connected to each other along a fold line. Each sheet has at least one substantially identically shaped aperture therein. Each of the sheets is of a size and shape and the aperture is located in each sheet so that when the card blank is removed from the support strip and the sheets are folded along the fold line upon each other with the adhesive surfaces joined to each other, the first sheet and second sheets are substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive with each other and the apertures in each sheet overlay each other to form a mounting means for mounting the card on an object.




Alternatively, each sheet has at least one substantially identically shaped aperture area therein in the shape of an aperture, the aperture area being defined by a continuous slit in the sheet and being severable from the sheet along the slit. Each aperture area is located in each sheet so that when the card blank is removed from the support strip and the sheets are folded along the fold line upon each other with the adhesive surfaces joined to each other, the aperture areas in each sheet are substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive. The aperture areas may then be removed from the sheets by severing along the slits to form a mounting means for mounting the card on an object.




In preferred embodiments, the identification cards are uniquely and symmetrically shaped about the fold line so that when the card blank is removed from the support strip and the sheets are folded along the fold line upon each other with the adhesive surfaces joined to each other, the unique shapes are substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive to form a predetermined non-rectangular configuration, e.g., computer monitor, house, automobile, etc. that is relevant, for example, to the conference or meeting.




The process for producing the identification cards comprises printing indicia on the printing surface of at least one of the first and second sheets of each card blank, removing the card blank from the support strip, folding the first and second sheets along the fold line upon each other with the adhesive surfaces joined to each other. The card may then be mounted on, for example, a plastic clip that can be attached to the users garment.




These as well as further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the following detailed specification, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of an embodiment of the identification card badge of this invention in use;





FIG. 2

is a schematic perspective indicating how the identification card of

FIG. 1

is assembled;





FIG. 3

is a schematic perspective indicating how the assembled card is placed on a badge clip;





FIG. 4

is a sectional view of the card badge of

FIG. 1

taken along line


4





4


of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 5

is schematic view showing one embodiment of a plurality of the card badges of this invention being printed with a Carol-type printer prior to assembly and use;





FIG. 6

is schematic view showing another embodiment of a plurality of the card badges of this invention being printed with a laser printer prior to assembly and use;





FIG. 7

is a schematic perspective indicating how an embodiment of the parking permit card of this invention is assembled;





FIG. 8

is a schematic perspective indicating how another embodiment of the parking permit card of this invention is assembled;





FIG. 9

is a schematic perspective indicating how the assembled parking permit card is placed on a clip to hang on a rear view mirror of a car;





FIG. 10

depicts the printed side of a parking permit card of this invention right after printing and prior to assembly;





FIG. 11

depicts the printed side of the parking permit card of this invention right after printing on a pin-feed or Carol-type printer and prior to assembly;





FIG. 12

is a perspective view of an embodiment of another embodiment of assembled parking permit card in use on a rear view mirror of a car;





FIG. 13

depicts the printed side of the parking permit card of depicted in

FIG. 12

right after printing and prior to assembly;





FIG. 14

depicts the printed side of a visitor identification card badge of this invention right after printing and prior to assembly;





FIG. 15

depicts the printed side of another embodiment of an employee identification card badge of this invention right after printing and prior to assembly;





FIG. 16

depicts the printed side of another embodiment of the identification card of this invention after removal from the support strip and prior to being folded along the fold line to form a decorative shape which is a computer monitor;





FIGS. 17-24

depicts the printed sides of still other embodiments of the identification card of this invention after removal from the support strip and prior to being folded along the fold line to form a decorative shape which is a house (FIG.


17


), an automobile (FIG.


18


), a train (FIG.


19


), a stuffed bear (FIG.


20


), a shirt and tie (FIG.


21


), a flag (FIG.


22


), a police officer badge (

FIG. 23

) and a diamond ring (FIG.


24


); and





FIG. 25

is a schematic perspective indicating how the identification card of

FIG. 17

may be assembled for use.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




Referring, for example, to

FIGS. 2

,


5


and


6


, an identification card strip assembly


20


is provided. The assembly


20


comprises a support strip


22


having at least one, and preferably a plurality of identification card blanks


24


removably and adhesively adhered to the support strip


22


. Preferably, the support strip


22


is an elongated strip


22


as depicted, for example in

FIGS. 5

,


10


,


11


and


13


, and may have pin-holes or perforations


44


along the longitudinal edges of the strip


22


to permit driving of the strip through an associated printing device


46


, see

FIG. 5. A

major advantage of this invention is that a standard laser type printer


48


, see

FIG. 6

, may be used to print the identification card blanks


24


. If such an embodiment is used then the support strip


22


may be a standard 8½ inch by 11 inch sheet having a plurality of card blanks


24


appropriately arranged. (See, FIG.


6


). Optionally, although not shown, the support strip maybe envelope size (#10) and have only one card blank thereon and fed to the printer in a manner similar to an envelope.




Referring, for example, to

FIGS. 7-13

, each identification card blank


24


has a front printing surface


26


for printing indicia


28


thereon and a rear adhesive surface


30


having an adhesive


32


thereon. The adhesive


32


may partially or completely cover the adhesive surface


30


. The rear adhesive surface


30


is removably and adhesively adhered to the support strip


22


. The card blank


24


includes a first sheet


34


and a second sheet


36


foldably connected to each other along a fold line


38


. Each sheet


34


,


36


has at least one substantially identically shaped aperture therein


40


. Each sheet


34


,


36


is of a size and shape and each aperture


40


is located in each sheet


34


,


36


so that when the card blank


24


is removed from the support strip


22


and the sheets are folded along the fold line


38


upon each other with the adhesive surfaces


30


joined to each other, the first sheet


34


and second sheet


36


are substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive with each other and the apertures


40


in each sheet


34


,


36


overlay each other to form a mounting means for mounting the card


24


on an object, for example a rear view mirror


42


, see

FIGS. 9 and 12

. The apertures


40


may be located at any appropriate place in the card blank


24


, compare, for example, the location of the apertures in FIG .


7


(top) and

FIG. 8

(side). Optionally, only one adhesive surface can be coated with an adhesive to join to the other non-coated adhesive surface.




Referring to

FIGS. 12 and 13

, optionally each sheet


34


,


36


may have at least one substantially identically shaped aperture area


50


therein in the shape of an aperture


52


, the aperture area


50


being defined by a continuous slit


54


in the sheet and being severable from the sheet


34


,


36


along the slit


54


. Still referring to

FIGS. 12 and 13

, each sheet


34


,


36


is of a size and shape and each aperture area


50


being located in each sheet


34


,


36


so that when the card blank


24


is removed from the support strip


22


and the sheets


34


,


36


are folded along the fold line


38


upon each other with the adhesive surfaces


30


joined to each other, the first sheet


34


and second sheet


36


and the aperture areas


52


in each sheet


34


,


36


are substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive. Subsequently, the aperture areas


52


are removed from the sheets


34


,


36


by severing along the slits


54


to form a mounting means for mounting the card on an object. As depicted in

FIGS. 12 and 13

, the aperture


52


may be in the shape of a slot for placement on a rearview mirror


42


. This invention, however contemplates any type or shaped aperture.




Preferably, as depicted in FIGS.


5


,


10


and


11


, the plurality of card blanks


24


are formed from a continuous sheet and defined by plurality of lateral slits


56


extending across the sheet at substantially equal longitudinal intervals. The card blanks


24


are then severable from each other along the slits


56


.




Optionally, for assemblies of the type depicted in

FIG. 6

, the plurality of card blanks


24


may be formed from a continuous sheet and defined by a plurality of lateral slits extending across the sheet at substantially equal longitudinal intervals and a plurality of longitudinal slits extending across the sheet at substantially equal lateral intervals, the card blanks


24


being severable from each other along the slits. The card blanks may also be spaced apart on the support sheet to permit easy peeling therefrom.




The process for producing the plurality of identification cards includes printing indicia


28


, for example as shown in

FIGS. 5 and 6

on the printing surface


26


of at least one of the first and second sheets


34


,


36


of each card blank


26


. One of the major advantages of this invention is that both sheets


34


,


36


can be printed simultaneously, in effect, printing the front of the badge and the rear of the badge. Subsequently, the card blank


24


is removed from the support strip


22


(see

FIGS. 2

,


7


and


8


) and the first and second sheets


34


,


36


folded along the fold line


38


upon each other with the adhesive surfaces


30


joined to each other. This produces an identification card


100


having the first sheet and second sheets


34


,


36


substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive with each other. The apertures in each sheet


34


,


36


overlaying each other to form a mounting means for mounting the card on an object. Or optionally, as indicated previously, the identically shaped aperture areas


52


in each sheet


34


,


36


are substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive. Subsequently, the aperture areas


52


are removed from the sheets


34


,


36


by severing along the slits


54


to form a mounting means for mounting the card on an object.




The identification card produced


100


is a three layer laminate consisting of two sheets of cardstock having an adhesive layer therebetween that is relatively rigid due to such lamination.




Preferably, the assembled identification card


100


is mounted on a spring badge clip


62


. See, for example

FIGS. 1

,


3


and


4


. Such clips are known in the art, see for example, U.S. Pat. No. 386,215 (3.1-009) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,742 (3.0-021) both to White et al and both entitled “Spring Badge Clip”. The entire disclosures of these applications are incorporated by reference. Other type clips may also be used.




This invention has many benefits. For example, in its preferred embodiment, the identification card strip assembly


20


can be used to produce a 2-ply, relatively heavy duty cardstock identification cards


100


that can be custom printed on the back at the same time that you print on the front. Additionally, the identification cards


100


produced are preslotted so that they can be used with clips, e.g., the badge clips of White et al.




In a preferred embodiment of this invention, depicted in

FIGS. 7-13

, the identification card strip assembly


20


can be used to prepare parking hangtags


100


. Parking hangtags


100


are typically made of plastic or very thick cardstock in order to hang vertically and not curl in an automobile (due to heat, humidity, handling). This rigidity also permits easy attachment and removal by means of a large die-cut hook or circle cut-out within the hangtag. Hangtags are almost always attached to the rear view mirror


42


of vehicles and are typically very large, 3″×6″ in order to permit them to be seen and read by enforcement officers from a distance of 15 to 25 feet from in front of the vehicle. This rear view mirror attachment is almost universal because it is the only common location near the driver where the hangtag can be attached and removed easily by the driver when parking and driving the vehicle. Additionally, if they are not removed before driving the vehicle because of their large size, they tend to swing and blow-around while the vehicle is in motion, being a distraction to the driver. There are several common problems with conventional parking hangtags. First, because of the difficulty in attaching and removing parking hangtags from the rear view mirror, they are typically left hanging from the rear view mirror during driving. Even though parking hangtags clearly state that they must be removed while driving, this warning is almost universally ignored. Further, almost all hangtags are made of rigid 10 or 20 mil plastic in order to withstand the constant handling and attachment by the office or agency issuing the hangtags and the user. Because such thick materials are used they are not capable of being printed by normal office computer-printers. Typically the expiration date is written on by hand, which makes it easy altered and hence, the hangtags can be altered by changing the expiration date.




Still referring to

FIGS. 7-13

, the preferred parking hang-tag of this invention


100


attaches to a simple plastic hook


64


that is left attached to the rear view mirror


42


. When a person is issued a hangtag for either permanent parking or disability parking, the simple plastic hook


64


is attached to the persons rear view mirror


42


. Each time the hangtag


100


is to be used, it is attached by means of the aperture or hole


40


in the hangtag, hooked over the rear view mirror


42


. When the car is to be driven again, the hangtag


100


is easily removed from the hook


64


.




As shown in

FIGS. 7-13

, the parking hangtag of this invention


100


employs a separate plastic hook


64


that is permanently attached to the rear view mirror


42


and is easy to attach and remove from the mirror. This decreases the possibility of the parking hangtag


100


becoming a hazard while driving. Additionally, the hangtag


100


can be printed on demand by a thermal transfer or a laser printer which eliminates the problem of having to purchase large quantities of hangtags in advance. It also means that the date of expiration can be printed in very large numbers and letters by the electronic printer which will reduce the problem of date-changing. Furthermore, by printing the hangtags on an electronic printer, one can preprint the cardstock economically with all types of secure features such as panagraph, multiple colors, holograms, etc., to make them more secure and harder to counterfeit.




Optionally, as depicted in

FIGS. 14-15

, the identification card may have an indicia


28


that is printed and also have an indicia that could be produced by placing a business card (

FIG. 14

) or a photograph (

FIG. 15

) behind sheet


36


that has a cut-out therein, and when the sheets


34


,


36


are folded and adhesively sealed to each other, the business card or photograph is sealed between the sheets


34


,


36


and can be viewed through the cut-out.




The identification cards produced from the strip assemblies of this invention have many other uses. For example, the identification cards may be used for retail tags, price tags, inventory tags. In all cases, the construction is similar to that described herein with the only variation being the size and shape of the card, and the location of the attachment hole.




In other embodiments of this invention, as depicted in

FIGS. 16-25

, each card blank is defined by continuous slits in the sheet to form a card blank having a predetermined shape that is symmetrical about the fold line. When the card blank is removed from the support strip and the sheets are folded along the fold line upon each other, the identification card forms a decorative shape, generally a non-rectangular shape, such as a computer console (

FIG. 16

) a house (FIG.


17


), an automobile (FIG.


18


), a train (FIG.


19


), a stuffed bear (FIG.


20


), a shirt and tie (FIG.


21


), a flag (FIG.


22


), a police officer badge (

FIG. 23

) and a diamond ring (FIG.


24


). Such decorative shapes can be relevant to the meeting or conference, e.g., houses for a real estate agent convention, trains for a model train club, etc.




Referring to

FIGS. 16-25

, and in particular

FIGS. 17 & 25

, wherein identical numbers refer to the same or similar element, each identification card blank


212


has a front printing surface


214


for printing indicia


210


thereon, and a rear adhesive surface


216


having an adhesive


218


thereon. The rear adhesive surface


216


is removably and adhesively adhered to the support strip


220


. The card blank


212


includes a first sheet


222


and a second sheet


224


foldably connected to each other along a fold line


226


. Each sheet


222


,


224


has at least one substantially identically shaped aperture therein


228


. Each sheet


222


,


224


is of a size and shape and each aperture


228


is located in each sheet


222


,


224


so that when the card blank


212


is removed from the support strip


220


and the sheets are folded along the fold line


226


upon each other with the adhesive surfaces


216


joined to each other, the first sheet


222


and second sheet


224


are substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive with each other and the apertures


228


in each sheet


222


,


224


overlay each other to form a mounting means for mounting the card


212


on an object. Preferably, as depicted in

FIGS. 16-25

, the identification cards


200


-


208


are uniquely and symmetrically shaped about the fold line


226


so that when the card blank


212


is removed from the support strip


220


and the sheets


222


,


224


are folded along the fold line


226


upon each other with the adhesive surfaces


216


joined to each other, the unique shapes are substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive to form a predetermined non-rectangular configuration, e.g., computer monitor, house, automobile, etc. that is relevant, for example, to the conference or meeting. Preferably, as for example depicted in

FIG. 16

, the assembled identification card


201


(or as the case may be


200


-


208


) is mounted on a spring badge clip


230


. The shaped badges


200


-


208


are stamped from a flat a support strip that is sufficiently flexible to pass through a laser printer.




While several advantageous embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. An identification card strip assembly comprising:a support strip and at least one identification card blank overlaying and removably and adhesively adhered to the support strip to form a card strip assembly, the assembly being sufficiently flexible to pass through a laser printer; each identification card blank comprising:a front printing surface for printing indicia thereon and a rear adhesive surface having an adhesive thereon completely covering the rear surface, the rear adhesive surface being removably and adhesively adhered to the support strip, the adhesive remaining on each card blank after being removed from the support strip; the card blank including a first sheet and a second sheet foldably connected to each other along a fold line; each sheet having at least one substantially identically shaped aperture therein; each sheet being of a size and shape and each aperture located in each sheet so that when the card blank is removed from the support strip and the sheets are folded along the fold line upon each other with the adhesive surfaces joined to each other, the first sheet and second sheets are substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive with each other and the apertures in each sheet overlay each other to form a mounting means for mounting the card on an object.
  • 2. An identification card strip assembly comprising:an elongated support strip and a plurality of identification card blanks removably and adhesively adhered to the support strip to form a card strip assembly, the assembly being sufficiently flexible to pass through a laser printer; each identification card blank comprising:a front printing surface for printing indicia thereon and a rear adhesive surface having an adhesive thereon completely covering the rear surface, the rear adhesive surface being removably and adhesively adhered to the support strip, the adhesive remaining on each card blank after being removed from the support strip; the card blank including a first sheet and a second sheet foldably connected to each other along a fold line; each sheet having at least one substantially identically shaped aperture area therein in the shape of an aperture, the aperture area being defined by a continuous slit in the sheet and being severable from the sheet along the slit; each sheet being of a size and shape and each aperture area being located in each sheet so that when the card blank is removed from the support strip and the sheets are folded along the fold line upon each other with the adhesive surfaces joined to each other, the first sheet and second sheets and the aperture areas in each sheet are substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive, and the aperture areas when removed from the sheets by severing along the slits, form a mounting means for mounting the card on an object.
  • 3. The identification card strip assembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of card blanks are formed from a continuous sheet and defined by plurality of lateral slits extending across the sheet at substantially equal longitudinal intervals, the card blanks being severable from each other along the slits.
  • 4. The identification card strip assembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of card blanks are formed from a continuous sheet and defined by a plurality of lateral slits extending across the sheet at substantially equal longitudinal intervals and a plurality of longitudinal slits extending across the sheet at substantially equal lateral intervals, the card blanks being severable from each other along the slits.
  • 5. The identification card strip assembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of card blanks are formed from a continuous sheet, each card blank being defined by continuous slits in the sheet to form a card blank having a predetermined shape, the shape being symmetrical about the fold line, each card blank being removable and severable from the sheet,wherein when the card blank is removed from the support strip and the sheets are folded along the fold line upon each other, an identification card having a non-rectangular decorative shape is formed.
  • 6. The identification card strip assembly of claim 1, wherein the support strip has pin holes along the longitudinal edges of the strip to permit driving of the strip through an associated printing device.
RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuing application of U.S. Ser. No. 08/866,939 filed on May 31, 1997 now abandoned (3.0-027) entitled IDENTIFICATION CARD STRIP ASSEMBLY, which is a continuing application of U.S. Ser. Nos. 29/063,584, filed on Dec. 04, 1996, (3.1-010) now U.S. Pat. No. Des. 386,793 29/065,241, (3.1-012) and 29/065,242 (3.1-011) filed on Jan. 27, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. Des. 394,675, all of which are entitled CARD BADGE. The entire disclosures of these design patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

US Referenced Citations (2)
Number Name Date Kind
5172938 Schmidt Dec 1992
5700037 Keller Dec 1997
Continuations (4)
Number Date Country
Parent 08/866939 May 1997 US
Child 09/241133 US
Parent 29/065241 Jan 1996 US
Child 08/866939 US
Parent 29/065242 Jan 1996 US
Child 29/065241 US
Parent 29/063584 Dec 1996 US
Child 29/065242 US