Foldable transaction cards and methods of making the same

• US 7,540,426 B1
• Filed: 11/27/2006
• Issued: 06/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Liberty Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. (American Express Company)
• Inventors: Gandel, Priscilla, Morrill Webb, Lisa Ann, Lasch, Ellen
• Primary Examiner(s): WALSH, DANIEL I
• Application Number:
  US11/604,502
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• Field of Search: 235/487, 235/492, 235/493, 235/380, 235/379, 283/106, 283/117, 283/74, 283/75, 283/81, 283/82, 428/124, 428/126, 705/64
• US Class Current: 235/487
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/182 Credit card holders
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/321 combined with other articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/323 with key hangers
• 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 19/04 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/041 Constructional details G06K19/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06196 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0719 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising an arrangement for application selection, e.g. an acceleration sensor or a set of radio buttons application selection on smart cards using pure software control, see G07F7/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1052 with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1056 Perforating lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1057 Subsequent to assembly of laminae
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1082 Partial cutting bonded sandwich [e.g., grooving or incising]

Abstract

Transaction cards are provided, wherein said foldable transaction cards have internal hinge material disposed within the foldable transaction card and fold lines for folding the transaction cards. In addition, foldable transaction card systems are provided, whereby transaction cards, having the internal hinge material, are provided within housings, cases or carriers. Moreover, methods of making foldable transaction cards are provided.

Claims

1. A foldable transaction card comprising:

a first layer comprising an upper surface and a lower surface;

a second layer comprising an upper surface and a lower surface;

a memory configured to store account information;

an internal hinge layer comprising a first surface and a second surface disposed between said first layer and said second layer such that a first portion of said first surface of said internal hinge layer is in direct contact with said lower surface of said first layer and a first portion of said second surface of said internal hinge layer is in direct contact with said upper surface of said second layer;

wherein a third portion of said internal hinge layer comprises a second portion of said first surface of said internal hinge layer that is not in direct contact with said lower surface of said first layer and a second portion of said second surface of said internal hinge layer that is not in direct contact with said upper surface of said second layer;

wherein said internal hinge layer comprises at least one of an elastomeric material or a thermoplastic polymeric material;

wherein said third portion of said internal hinge layer is a folding locus permitting repeated folding and unfolding of said transaction card at said folding locus;

and wherein said transaction card has an overall thickness in an unfolded state measured from a front surface of said card to a rear surface of said card determined by adding at least the thicknesses of each of said first layer, said second layer, and said internal hinge layer.

2. The foldable transaction card of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said first surface of said internal hinge layer is coextensive with said lower surface of said first layer.

3. The foldable transaction card of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said second surface of said internal hinge layer is coextensive with said upper surface of said second layer.

4. The foldable transaction card of claim 1, wherein said internal hinge layer is configured to provide tension when said transaction card is in an unfolded state such that said transaction card is substantially planar in said unfolded state.

5. The foldable transaction card of claim 1, wherein said first layer further comprises a graphic layer.

6. The foldable transaction card of claim 1, wherein said lower surface of said first layer further comprises an adhesive layer.

7. The foldable transaction card of claim 1, wherein said second layer further comprises a graphic layer.

8. The foldable transaction card of claim 1, wherein said upper surface of said second layer further comprises an adhesive layer.

9. The foldable transaction card of claim 1, further comprising a carrier configured such that said transaction card is removably attachable to said carrier.

10. The foldable transaction card of claim 9, wherein said transaction card is configured to unfold outside said carrier.

11. The foldable transaction card system of claim 10, wherein said transaction card is configured to facilitate a purchase transaction at a point of sale.

12. The foldable transaction card of claim 1, wherein said third portion of said internal hinge layer further comprises a first side wall and a second side wall wherein each of said first side wall and said second side wall are perpendicular to said first surface of said internal hinge layer.

13. The foldable transaction card of claim 1, wherein said folding locus permits folding of said transaction card upon itself.

14. A foldable transaction card comprising:

a first layer comprising an upper surface and a lower surface;

a second layer comprising an upper surface and a lower surface;

a memory configured to store account information;

an internal hinge layer comprising a first surface and a second surface disposed between said first layer and said second layer such that a first portion of said first surface of said internal hinge layer is in direct contact with said lower surface of said first layer and a first portion of said second surface of said internal hinge layer is in direct contact with said upper surface of said second layer;

wherein a third portion of said internal hinge layer comprises a second portion of said first surface of said internal hinge layer that is not in direct contact with said lower surface of said first layer and a second portion of said second surface of said internal hinge layer that is not in direct contact with said upper surface of said second layer;

wherein said internal hinge layer is configured to provide tension when said transaction card is in a folded state such that said transaction card has a tendency to return to an unfolded state;

wherein said third portion of said internal hinge layer is a folding locus permitting folding and unfolding of said transaction card at said folding locus;

and wherein said transaction card has an overall thickness in an unfolded state measured from a front surface of said card to a rear surface of said card determined by adding at least the thicknesses of each of said first layer, said second layer, and said internal hinge layer.