Metal-containing transaction card and method of making the same

• US 7,530,491 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2003
• Issued: 05/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (American Express Company)
• Original Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (American Express Company)
• Inventors: Lasch, Ellen, Gandel, Priscilla, Webb, Lisa Ann Morrill
• Primary Examiner(s): Labaze, Edwyn
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mai, Thien T
• Application Number:
  US10/749,006
• Publication Number:
  US 20040217178A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,960 Days
• Field of Search: 235/392, 235/488, 235/380, 235/492, 235/493, 235/384, 235/385, 235/375, 235/379, 235/448, 235/457, 283/72, 428/198, 428/469, 442/15, 442/6, 442/19, 147/516, 606/60, 101/488
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2425/00 Cards, e.g. identity cards, credit cards
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2033/10 Metallic material
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/00 Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof printing processes to produce identification or security features B41M3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/369 Magnetised or magnetisable materials
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/373 Metallic materials
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/425 by deformation, e.g. embossing
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/435 using electromagnetic radiation, e.g. laser
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/47 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/475 Cutting cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/02 characterised by the selection of materials, e.g. to avoid wear during transport through the machine
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07728 the record carrier comprising means for protection against impact or bending, e.g. protective shells or stress-absorbing layers around the integrated circuit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1039 Surface deformation only of sandwich or lamina [e.g., embossed panels]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/124 Including a natural or synthetic rubber layer

Abstract

Metal-containing transaction cards, useful for the purchase of goods and/or services, and methods of making the same are provided. The metal-containing transaction cards may be standard-sized (i.e., about 3 ⅜ inches by about 2 ¼ inches) or any other size yet still usable as a transaction card. Moreover, the metal-containing transaction card may have a magnetic stripe, an embedded microchip, a signature panel, a holographic image, or any other feature typically contained on or within a transaction card. The transaction cards have at least one layer of metal with, optionally, other layers of substrates, such as thermoplastic polymers, other metals or adhesives. In addition, the metal-containing transaction card may be anodized, coated, or laser-engraved. Preferably, the metal is titanium or stainless steel.

Claims

1. A transaction card comprising:

a first metal layer which is continuous over an entire area of said transaction card;

a second layer comprised of metal;

wherein said first metal layer is coextensive with an entire area of said second layer;

wherein said first metal layer and said second layer are in uniform, direct contact;

a recordable medium incorporated into said transaction card for storing information relating to a transaction account and configured to conduct a transaction at a point of sale terminal;

wherein said first metal layer comprises a pocket having characters embossed therein; and

wherein a fill panel is disposed within said pocket,

wherein a surface of said fill panel is substantially flush with a surface of said transaction card.

2. The transaction card of claim 1 wherein said first metal layer is provided on an outermost surface of said transaction card.

3. The transaction card of claim 1 wherein said second layer is laminated to said first metal layer.

4. The transaction card of claim 1 further comprising:

an adhesive layer disposed between said first metal layer and said second layer.

5. The transaction card of claim 1 wherein said recordable medium comprises a magnetic stripe disposed on said first metal layer.

6. The transaction card of claim 1 wherein said recordable medium comprises a magnetic stripe disposed on said second layer.

7. The transaction card of claim 1 further comprising:

a coating on an outermost surface of said transaction card.

8. The transaction card of claim 7 wherein said coating is comprised of a material selected from a group consisting of silane, polyethylene terephthalate, acrylic, titanium carbonitride and a thermoset polymeric material.

9. The transaction card of claim 7 wherein said coating comprises a dye for providing a color to said transaction card.

10. The transaction card of claim 1 further comprising:

a pattern etched into said first metal layer.

11. The transaction card of claim 10 wherein said pattern is etched by a laser beam.

12. The transaction card of claim 1 further comprising:

a microchip embedded in said first metal layer.

13. The transaction card of claim 1 further comprising:

an oxide layer disposed on said first metal layer from an anodizing process.

14. The transaction card of claim 1 wherein said first metal layer is about 30 mils thick.

15. The transaction card of claim 1 further comprising:

chamfer edges around a perimeter of said transaction card.

16. The transaction card of claim 1 wherein said first metal layer has a thickness greater than about 10 mils.

17. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein said first metal layer is comprised of a metal selected from a group consisting of titanium and stainless steel.

18. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein said first metal layer has a portion that is thinner than a remainder of said first metal layer.

19. The transaction card of claim 18, further comprising embossed characters in said first metal layer disposed in said portion that is thinner than said remainder of said first metal layer.

20. The transaction card of claim 19, wherein said embossed characters protrude from a surface of said transaction card.

21. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein said first metal layer is comprised of a nonprecious metal.

22. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein said first metal layer further comprises a pocket having four side surfaces and a bottom surface.