Metal-containing transaction card and method of making the same

• US 8,523,062 B2
• Filed: 01/02/2013
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• 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: Varga, Stevan, Morrill Webb, Lisa Ann
• Primary Examiner(s): Labaze, Edwyn
• Application Number:
  US13/732,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20130119147A1
• Time in Patent Office: 244 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/375, 235/492, 235/487, 235/488, 235/449, 235/451
• 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 transaction card comprising:

embossed characters on a first surface of the transaction card;

a pocket recessed from a second surface of the transaction card; and

a panel disposed in the pocket, wherein a first surface of the panel is in contact with an interior of the pocket.

2. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the transaction card is comprised of a continuous metal layer.

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

4. The transaction card of claim 3, wherein the transaction card as chamfered edges.

5. The transaction card of claim 2, further comprising a coating on the first surface of the transaction card deposited via physical vapor deposition.

6. The transaction card of claim 5, wherein the coating comprises titanium nitride.

7. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the embossed characters are milled.

8. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the first surface of the panel is in uniform, direct contact with the interior of the pocket.

9. The transaction card of claim 1, further comprising a face pocket recessed from the first surface of the transaction card.

10. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the face pocket contains a microchip.

11. The transaction card of claim 10, wherein the microchip is substantially flush with the first surface of the transaction card.

12. The transaction card of claim 10, wherein the microchip is held in the face pocket by an adhesive.

13. The transaction card of claim 12, wherein adhesive is an insulator.

14. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the panel comprises at least one of titanium, aluminum or stainless steel.

15. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein a second surface of the panel is substantially flush with the second surface of the transaction card.

16. The transaction card of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic strip on the second surface of the transaction card.

17. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the second surface of the panel is a signature panel.

18. The transaction card of claim 1, wherein the embossed characters represent an account number.

19. The transaction card of claim 1, further comprising engraved indicia on the first surface of the transaction card.

20. The transaction card of claim 1, further comprising etched indicia on the first surface of the transaction card.