Metal-containing transaction card and method of making the same

• US 7,819,310 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2009
• Issued: 10/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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, Morrill-Webb, Lisa Ann
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thien M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mai, Thien T
• Application Number:
  US12/429,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20090230195A1
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/492, 235/493, 235/487, 235/449, 235/488, 430/271.1, 283/61, 283/98, 283/82, 442/15, 150/147
• 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 are disclosed. The metal-containing transaction cards may be standard-sized (i.e., about 3⅜ inches by about 2 14 inches) or any other size yet still usable as a transaction card. Moreover, the metal-containing transaction card may include a pocket having characters embossed therein. Further, the metal-containing transaction card may include a fill panel disposed within the pocket. The metal may be titanium or stainless steel.

Claims

1. A method of making a single transaction card comprising:

embossing the single transaction card within a pocket and from the bottom of the pocket to form embossed characters on a top surface of the single transaction card, wherein the top surface comprises a first surface; and

filling the pocket with a fill panel to provide a substantially flush surface on a second surface of the single transaction card,

wherein an entire surface of the single transaction card is comprised of a continuous metal layer and,

wherein a third surface of the fill panel is in uniform, direct contact with an interior of the pocket.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the continuous metal layer comprises at least one of titanium, aluminum or stainless steel.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the continuous metal layer is anodized to provide an oxide layer on at least one of the first surface or the second surface.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the continuous metal layer is covered with a coating.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the coating comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silane, polyethylene terephthalate, acrylic, titanium carbonitride, and a thermoset polymeric material.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the coating comprises a dye for providing a color to the single transaction card.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a signature panel is applied to the second surface of the continuous metal layer.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein an adhesive is applied to the second surface of the continuous metal layer prior to the signature panel being applied to the second surface of the continuous metal layer, and the signature panel is applied to the adhesive.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the fill panel comprises at least one of a thermoplastic polymer, titanium, aluminum or stainless steel.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the fill panel comprises a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene terephthalate copolymer.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the single transaction card further comprises a recordable medium.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the single transaction card further comprises laser etching.