Metal-containing transaction card and method of making the same

• US 8,033,457 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2009
• Issued: 10/11/2011
• 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: Varga, Stevan, Morrill Webb, Lisa Ann
• Primary Examiner(s): Labaze, Edwyn
• Application Number:
  US12/538,745
• Publication Number:
  US 20090294543A1
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/375, 235/492, 235/487, 235/488, 235/449
• US Class Current: 235/380
• 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 19/06196 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07745 Mounting details of integrated circuit chips
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49982 Coating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49993 Filling of opening

Abstract

A method of creating a single transaction card is disclosed and comprises embossing the single transaction card within a pocket to form embossed characters on a first surface of the single transaction card, filling the pocket with a fill panel to provide a substantially flush surface on a second surface of the single transaction card, wherein a third surface of the fill panel is in uniform, direct contact with an interior of the pocket. Another method is disclosed for machining a face pocket within a single transaction card and disposing a microchip therein. In various embodiments, a single transaction card is comprised of a continuous metal layer, such as, for example, titanium.

Claims

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

embossing the single transaction card within a pocket to form embossed characters on a first surface of the single transaction card; and

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

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 an entire surface of the single transaction card is comprised of a continuous metal layer.

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

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising coating the continuous metal layer via physical vapor deposition.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the physical vapor deposition deposits titanium nitride on the continuous metal layer.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising milling the embossed characters.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the pocket was formed by machining.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the single transaction card further comprises a face pocket and further comprising disposing a microchip in the face pocket.

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

10. A method of creating a single transaction card comprising:

machining a rear pocket within the single transaction card,

wherein the single transaction card is configured to be embossed within the rear pocket to form embossed characters on a first surface of the single transaction card,

wherein the single transaction card is configured to have a fill panel disposed within the rear pocket to provide a substantially flush surface on a second surface of the single transaction card,

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

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising

machining a face pocket within the single transaction card, wherein the single transaction card is configured to have a microchip disposed within the face pocket of the single transaction card.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the single transaction card is comprised of a continuous metal layer.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the continuous metal layer comprises at least one of titanium, aluminum or stainless steel.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising coating the continuous metal layer via physical vapor deposition.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the physical vapor deposition deposits titanium nitride on the continuous metal layer.

16. A single transaction card comprising:

embossed characters on a first surface of the single transaction card;

a fill panel disposed in a rear pocket configured to provide a substantially flush surface on a second surface of the single transaction card, wherein a third surface of the fill panel is in uniform, direct contact with an interior of the rear pocket.

17. The transaction card of claim 16, wherein an entire surface of the single transaction card is comprised of a continuous metal layer.

18. The transaction card of claim 16, further comprising a face pocket having a microchip disposed within the face pocket.

19. The transaction card of claim 16, further comprising a coating disposed on the continuous metal layer by physical vapor deposition.

20. The transaction card of claim 16, wherein said coating comprises titanium nitride.