Printed Card Device and Method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A printed card assembly, comprising:
- a card carrier;
a card integrally formed with the card carrier;
wherein the card carrier includes stiffening portions that surround the card on three sides to provide structural support for the card;
a structurally weakened feature located at an interface between the card carrier and the card; and
a magnetic strip located on a side of the card, the strip extending transversely between the stiffening portions.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A card assembly device and method are shown. Card assemblies and methods described have the ability to stiffen a card assembly, while still maintaining the ability to encode data on a data strip. Another advantage of card assemblies as shown includes an integral card and carrier formation, which reduces manufacturing costs. Card assemblies are also shown that include return mail portions.
52 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A printed card assembly, comprising:
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a card carrier;
a card integrally formed with the card carrier;
wherein the card carrier includes stiffening portions that surround the card on three sides to provide structural support for the card;
a structurally weakened feature located at an interface between the card carrier and the card; and
a magnetic strip located on a side of the card, the strip extending transversely between the stiffening portions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A printed card assembly, comprising:
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a carrier;
a return mail portion integrally formed with the carrier;
a card integrally formed with the carrier;
wherein the carrier includes stiffening portions that surround the card on three sides to provide structural support for the card;
a structurally weakened feature located at an interface between the carrier and the card;
a structurally weakened feature located at an interface between the carrier and the return mail portion; and
an information area to allow a user to write personal information. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A method of forming a printed card assembly, comprising:
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printing images on at least one surface of a card assembly;
wherein the card assembly includes a card carrier and a card integrally formed together with a weakened portion at an interface between the card and the card carrier;
wherein the card carrier includes stiffening portions that surround the card on three sides to provide structural support for the card;
wherein the card includes a magnetic strip located on a side of the card, the strip extending transversely between the stiffening portions;
encoding data on the magnetic strip, including;
moving the stiffening portions and the card past a recording head with the magnetic strip substantially aligned with the recording head;
sensing an edge of one of the stiffening portions as the edge passes;
delaying a record operation for a time sufficient to allow a width of the stiffening portion to pass; and
recording data on the magnetic strip after the stiffening portion passes the recording head. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification