Metal-containing transaction card and method of making the same

• US 7,971,786 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2010
• Issued: 07/05/2011
• 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: Morrill-Webb, Lisa Ann, Gandel, Priscilla, Lasch, Ellen
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai; Thien T
• Application Number:
  US12/911,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20110031317A1
• Time in Patent Office: 253 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/492, 235/493, 442/15
• 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 transaction card comprising:

embossing said transaction card from within a hollow pocket to form embossed characters on a first surface of said transaction card; and

filling said hollow pocket with a fill panel on a second surface of said transaction card to create a substantially flush surface,

wherein said first surface of said transaction card is comprised of an uninterrupted metal layer and,

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

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

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said uninterrupted metal layer is anodized to provide an oxide layer on said surface.

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

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

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

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a signature panel is applied to said fill panel.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein an adhesive is applied to said fill panel and a signature panel is applied to said adhesive.

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

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

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said transaction card further comprises laser etching.

12. A transaction card comprising:

an uninterrupted metal layer comprising a first surface of said transaction card; and

a fill panel disposed in a hollow pocket of said metal layer to form a substantially flush second surface of said metal layer opposite that of said first surface,

wherein said hollow pocket comprises embossed characters that protrude from within said hollow pocket to form embossed characters on said first surface.

13. The transaction card of claim 12, wherein said metal layer comprises at least one of titanium, aluminum and stainless steel.

14. The transaction card of claim 12, wherein said metal layer is configured to be covered with a coating.

15. The transaction card of claim 12, wherein said fill panel comprises at least one of a thermoplastic polymer, titanium, aluminum and stainless steel.

16. The transaction card of claim 14, wherein said coating comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silane, polyethylene terephthalate, acrylic, titanium carbonitride, and a thermoset polymeric material.

17. The transaction card of claim 14, wherein said coating comprises a dye for providing a color to said transaction card.

18. The transaction card of claim 12, wherein a signature panel is applied to said fill panel.

19. The transaction card of claim 12, wherein an adhesive is applied to said fill panel and a signature panel is applied to said adhesive.

20. The transaction card of claim 12, wherein said metal layer is anodized to provide an oxide layer on said first surface.