System and method for cleaning and producing data bearing cards
First Claim
1. A magnetically encoded plastic card production system, comprising:
- (a) supplying means for supplying a series of blank plastic cards;
(b) encoding means, operatively coupled to the supply means, for encoding a magnetic strip on each card;
(c) separating means, operatively coupled following the encoding means, having a roller surface for adhesively attracting loose particles from a surface of each card;
(d) design placing means, operatively coupled immediately following the separating means, for placing a graphic design on each card such that the loose particles are separated from each card subsequent to encoding the magnetic strip on each card and prior to placing the graphic design on each card; and
(e) collecting means, operatively coupled to the design placing means, for collecting each card after each card has passed through said encoding means, said separating means, and said design placing means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetically encoded plastic card production system is provided which includes a supply mechanism for supplying a series of blank plastic cards. An encoder is operatively coupled to the supply mechanism which encodes a magnetic strip on each card. A separating mechanism is operatively coupled following the encoder which has a roller surface for adhesively attracting loose particles from a surface of each card. A design placing mechanism is operatively coupled immediately following the separating mechanism which places a graphic design on each card. In this arrangement, the loose particles are separated from each card subsequent to encoding the magnetic strip on each card and prior to placing the graphic design on each card. A collecting mechanism is operatively coupled to the design placing mechanism which collects each card after each card has passed through the encoder, separating mechanism, and design placing mechanism. A method for producing magnetically encoded plastic cards is also provided.
96 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A magnetically encoded plastic card production system, comprising:
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(a) supplying means for supplying a series of blank plastic cards; (b) encoding means, operatively coupled to the supply means, for encoding a magnetic strip on each card; (c) separating means, operatively coupled following the encoding means, having a roller surface for adhesively attracting loose particles from a surface of each card; (d) design placing means, operatively coupled immediately following the separating means, for placing a graphic design on each card such that the loose particles are separated from each card subsequent to encoding the magnetic strip on each card and prior to placing the graphic design on each card; and (e) collecting means, operatively coupled to the design placing means, for collecting each card after each card has passed through said encoding means, said separating means, and said design placing means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for producing magnetically encoded plastic cards, comprising the steps of:
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(a) supplying a series of blank plastic cards having an encodable magnetic strip; (b) encoding the encodable magnetic strip on each card; (c) adhesively attracting, following the encoding step, loose particles from a surface of each card; (d) placing, immediately following the attracting step, a graphic design on each card such that the loose particles are separated from each card subsequent to encoding the magnetic strip on each card and prior to placing the graphic design on each card; and (e) collecting each card after each card has been processed by steps (a) through (d). - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification