Patent Application
20070133181
This invention relates to printed card assemblies and methods of forming printed card assemblies.
Printed card assemblies are used for a number of applications. Some examples include stored value cards such as merchant gift cards or long distance phone cards. Other examples include various types of membership cards or cards for direct mailings. Although a list of card assembly types is included, the list is not intended to be exhaustive.
One concern that exists in the card assembly industry includes the cost of materials and manufacturing in card assemblies. Another concern includes ease of encoding magnetic strips. Another concern includes structural stability of card assemblies.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,909 shows one type of card assembly. One concern with designs shown in the '909 patent includes the cost of manufacturing both a card and a card carrier separately and further costs associated with later attaching the card to the card carrier. The multiple operations required in the '909 patent increase the cost of the final card assembly.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,921,584 and 5,720,158 show other types of card assemblies. Card assemblies in the '584 and '158 patents include card carriers and cards that are formed integrally with each other, therefore reducing the manufacturing cost. One concern with designs shown in the '584 and '158 patents includes the structural stability of the cards as they are attached to card carriers. It is desirable to make a robust connection between the card and card carrier to prevent unwanted separation before the end user intends to separate the card. A technical hurdle involved in structure of the card assembly has been encoding and reading data from cards with a data strip on one side such as a magnetic strip. The '584 and the '158 patent discuss how the side portion of the card are exposed to allow the card to be encoded without removing the card from the card carrier.
What is needed is an inexpensive card assembly that includes increased structural stability. What is also needed is a product and method that permits encoding while maintaining structural stability.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, or logical changes, etc. may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In one embodiment, a first stiffening portion 114 and a second stiffening portion 116 are included as a part of the card carrier 110. The first and second stiffening portions 114, 116 provide a robust interface between the card 120 and the card carrier 110. In one embodiment, features such as the first and second stiffening portions 114, 116 help to prevent unwanted detachment of the card 120 from the card carrier 110 before an end user desires.
In one embodiment, images 112 are printed on the card carrier 110 and images 122 are printed on the card 120. Examples of images include text, numbers pictures, etc. In one embodiment, the images include merchant identification. In one embodiment, the images include promotional materials. In one embodiment the images include instructions for use of the card assembly 100. In one embodiment, image text includes unique customer data such as an address and/or account number for direct mailing purposes. Although a number of possible images are listed, the invention is not so limited. Although the images in
Similar to the front side of the card assembly 100 discussed under
In one embodiment, the encoder pauses for an amount of time sufficient for a width 219 of the stiffening portion 214 to pass the recording head. In one embodiment, the recording head is then activated and begins encoding data on a leading edge 224 of a data strip 222.
One advantage of embodiments described above includes low cost of manufacturing a card assembly due to integral forming of a card and card carrier. Another advantage of embodiments described above includes enhances structural integrity of the card assembly due to features such as stiffening portions. Another advantage of embodiments described above includes an ability to encode a data strip on a card while maintaining structural integrity. Features such as an edge detector and timing circuitry allow ease of encoding in one embodiment.
Similar to embodiments described above, selected images are printed on the card assembly 400 including text and/or pictures, etc. Image 412 is shown located on the return mail portion 410. Image 422 is shown located on the card 420. Also shown in
In one embodiment, the return mail portion 410 includes a “postage paid” image 414. In one embodiment, at least one information entry area is included on the card 420.
In one embodiment, the carrier 430 includes a first stiffening portion 432 and a second stiffening portion 434. The first and second stiffening portions 432, 434 provide a robust interface between the card 420 and the carrier 430. In one embodiment, features such as the first and second stiffening portions 432, 434 help to prevent unwanted detachment of the card 430 from the carrier 430 before an end user desires.
A data strip such as a magnetic strip is attached to the card for encoding customer information. In one method, as shown in
Embodiments of card assemblies and methods as described above have a number of advantages. One advantage of this configuration includes the ability to stiffen the card assembly, while still maintaining the ability to encode data on a data strip. Another advantage of card assemblies as described above includes integral card and carrier formation, which reduces manufacturing costs.
While a number of advantages of embodiments of the invention are described, the above lists are not intended to be exhaustive. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention includes any other applications in which the above structures and methods are used. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
