This invention relates to cards and badges for identification and security and specifically to thin paper or cardboard badges which can be easily manufactured, printed, written upon and distributed using computerized equipment to provide the capability of customizing printing, color, content and speed of delivery at low costs.
A primary disadvantage of known identification cards is that they are generally stiff and relatively thick and cannot pass through, for example, a laser printer. At meetings, conventions and seminars it has become desirable to place large amounts of data on a card, including bar codes, names, company name and address, etc. Further, identification cards that are made of plastic are not "environmentally friendly," they will not biodegrade. To date there has not been an effective system available.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,454,180; 4,547,252; and 4,648,930 to La Mers disclose a labeling system employing an elongated label strip used with motor driven sprocket rollers for sequentially delivering labels to a mechanism operable to apply each label to an object. These patents describe a carrier web consisting of a series of labels with viscous pressure sensitive adhesive applied to a carrier strip of paper which has been coated on the label side with a release agent. The labels are removed by moving them sequentially by pulling the carrier strip around a relatively sharp edge under tension. The label, because of its stiffness, releases from the carrier web and continues in a straight line over the edge rather than bend sharply and follow the carrier web. The labels shown in the La Mers patents are mounted on a carrier which employs a center line cut therein to facilitate the rapid and accurate removal of labels.
U.S. Patent No. 4,925,716 to Haas describes a computerized processing of identification badges employing a base carrier portion in the form of a web carrier. The web carrier has perforated end portions formed integrally therewith so that the sprockets of automated computerized printing equipment can be used to engage the carrier web. The carrier web also is formed into sections via a lateral perforation so that each section is removable, one from the other. The badges are each removably adhesively mounted on individual ones ofthe sections. The badge may be peeled away from the carrier web without any adhesive remaining on the badge. The badge employed is relatively stiff, being formed of plastic material, and has an elongated slot formed on the upper central portion thereof so that the badge can be affixed to the person via a spring clip.
There are numerous other patents relating to identification cards and badges, methods of producing them, and their use. See, for example, the following U.S. Patents:
None of these references however provide an inexpensive and easy to use alternative to the relatively thick polymeric badges and holders presently used for seminars, corporate meetings, conferences and shows.
US-A-5 529 345 discloses an identification card strip assembly.
An object of this invention is to provide an identification card or badge system which can be easily automated using computer equipment to rapidly imprint badges with computer stored information and to enable the badges to be handled in the same manner as continuous fan fold computer paper.
Another object of this invention is to provide an identification badge or card which can be generated at the location where the same will be used, such as at a trade show.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an identification card strip assembly wherein the cards can be made of thin paper or cardboard, printed thereon with, for example a laser printer, and then assembled into a sturdy, relatively thick identification card.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a relatively sturdy identification badge which can be easily printed thereon and affixed to the wearer without the use of any adhesive.
All of the foregoing objects of this invention are achieved by the identification card strip assembly of this invention and the process of using it to produce the identification cards described herein. Broadly, the identification card strip assembly comprises a support strip having thereon at least one, and preferably a plurality of identification card blanks removably and adhesively adhered to the support strip. Each identification card blank has a front printing surface for printing indicia thereon and a rear adhesive surface having an adhesive thereon. The rear adhesive surface is removably and adhesively adhered to the support strip. The card blank includes a first sheet and a second sheet foldably connected to each other along a fold line. Each sheet has at least one substantially identically shaped aperture therein. Each of the sheets is of a size and shape and the aperture is located in each sheet so that when the card blank is removed from the support strip and the sheets are folded along the fold line upon each other with the adhesive surfaces joined to each other, the first sheet and second sheets are substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive with each other and the apertures in each sheet overlay each other to form a mounting means for mounting the card on an object.
Alternatively, each sheet has at least one substantially identically shaped aperture area therein in the shape of an aperture, the aperture area being defined by a continuous slit in the sheet and being severable from the sheet along the slit. Each aperture area is located in each sheet so that when the card blank is removed from the support strip and the sheets are folded along the fold line upon each other with the adhesive surfaces joined to each other, the aperture areas in each sheet are substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive. The aperture areas may then be removed from the sheets by severing along the slits to form a mounting means for mounting the card on an object.
The process for producing the identification cards comprises printing indicia on the printing surface of at least one of the first and second sheets of each card blank, removing the card blank from the support strip, folding the first and second sheets along the fold line upon each other with the adhesive surfaces joined to each other. The card may then be mounted on an object.
These as well as further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the following detailed specification, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.
Referring, for example, to Figs. 2, 5 and 6, an identification card strip assembly 20 is provided. The assembly 20 comprises a support strip 22 having at least one, and preferably a plurality of identification card blanks 24 removably and adhesively adhered to the support strip 22. Preferably, the support strip 22 is an elongated strip 22 as depicted, for example in Fig. 5, 10, 11 and 13, and may have pin-holes or perforations 44 along the longitudinal edges of the strip 22 to permit driving of the strip through an associated printing device 46, see Fig. 5. A major advantage of this invention is that a standard laser type printer 48, see Fig. 6, may be used to print the identification card blanks 24. If such an embodiment is used then the support strip 22 may be a standard 8½ inch by 11 inch sheet having a plurality of card blanks 24 appropriately arranged. (See, Fig. 6). Optionally, although not shown, the support strip may be envelope size (#10) and have only one card blank thereon and fed to the printer in a manner similar to an envelope.
Referring, for example, to Figs. 7-13, each identification card blank 24 has a front printing surface 26 for printing indicia 28 thereon and a rear adhesive surface 30 having an adhesive 32 thereon. The rear adhesive surface 30 is removably and adhesively adhered to the support strip 22.
The card blank 24 includes a first sheet 34 and a second sheet 36 foldably connected to each other along a fold line 38. Each sheet 34, 36 has at least one substantially identically shaped aperture therein 40. Each sheet 34, 36 is of a size and shape and each aperture 40 is located in each sheet 34,36 so that when the card blank 24 is removed from the support strip 22 and the sheets are folded along the fold line 38 upon each other with the adhesive surfaces 30 joined to each other. the first sheet 34 and second sheet 36 are substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive with each other and the apertures 40 in each sheet 34, 36 overlay each other to form a mounting means for mounting the card 24 on an object, for example a rear view mirror 42, see Fig. Figs. 9 and 12. The apertures 40 may be located at any appropriate place in the card blank 24, compare, for example. the location of the apertures in Figs. 7 (top) and Fig. 8 (side).
Referring to Figs. 12 and 13, optionally each sheet 34, 36 may have at least one substantially identically shaped aperture area 50 therein in the shape of an aperture 52. the aperture area 50 being defined by a continuous slit 54 in the sheet and being severable from the sheet 34, 36 along the slit 54. Still referring to Figs. 12 and 13, each sheet 34. 36 is of a size and shape and each aperture area 50 being located in each sheet 34, 36 so that when the card blank 24 is removed from the support strip 22 and the sheets 34, 36 are folded along the fold line 38 upon each other with the adhesive surfaces 30 joined to each other, the first sheet 34 and second sheet 36 and the aperture areas 52 in each sheet 34, 36 are substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive. Subsequently, the aperture areas 52 are removed from the sheets 34, 36 by severing along the slits 54 to form a mounting means for mounting the card on an object. As depicted in Figs. 12 and 13, the aperture 52 may be in the shape of a slot for placement on a rearview mirror 42. This invention, however contemplates any type or shaped aperture.
Preferably, as depicted in Figs. 5, 10 and 11, the plurality of card blanks 24 are formed from a continuous sheet and defined by plurality of lateral slits 56 extending across the sheet at substantially equal longitudinal intervals. The card blanks 24 are then severable from each other along the slits 56.
Optionally, for assemblies of the type depicted in Fig. 6, the plurality of card blanks 24 may be formed from a continuous sheet and defined by a plurality of lateral slits extending across the sheet at substantially equal longitudinal intervals and a plurality of longitudinal slits extending across the sheet at substantially equal lateral intervals, the card blanks 24 being severable from each other along the slits. The card blanks may also be spaced apart on the support sheet to permit easy peeling therefrom.
The process for producing the plurality of identification cards includes printing indicia 28, for example as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 on the printing surface 26 of at least one of the first and second sheets 34, 36 of each card blank 26. One of the major advantages of this invention is that both sheets 34, 36 can be printed simultaneously, in effect, printing the front of the badge and the rear of the badge. Subsequently, the card blank 24 is removed from the support strip 22 (see Figs. 2, 7 and 8) and the first and second sheets 34, 36 folded along the fold line 38 upon each other with the adhesive surfaces 30 joined to each other. This produces an identification card 100 having the first sheet and second sheets 34, 36 substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive with each other. The apertures in each sheet 34, 36 overlaying each other to form a mounting means for mounting the card on an object. Or optionally, as indicated previously, the identically shaped aperture areas 52 in each sheet 34, 36 are substantially superimposed upon each other and substantially coextensive. Subsequently, the aperture areas 52 are removed from the sheets 34, 36 by severing along the slits 54 to form a mounting means for mounting the card on an object.
The identification card produced 100 is a three layer laminate consisting of two sheets of cardstock having an adhesive layer therebetween that is relatively rigid due to such lamination.
Preferably, the assembled identification card 100 is mounted on a spring badge clip 62. See, for example Figs. 1, 3 and 4. Such clips are known in the art, see for example, USSN Application No. 29/051,234 now U.S. Design Patent No. 386,215 (31009) and 08/579,137, now U.S. Patent No: 5,640,742 (30021) both to White et al and both entitled "Spring Badge Clip". Other type clips may also be used.
This invention has many benefits. For example, in its preferred embodiment, the identification card strip assembly 20 can be used to produce a 2-ply, relatively heavy duty cardstock identification cards 100 that can be custom printed on the back at the same time that you print on the front. Additionally, the identification cards 100 produced are preslotted so that they can be used with clips, e.g., the badge clips of White et al.
In a preferred embodiment of this invention, depicted in Figs. 7-13, the identification card strip assembly 20 can be used to prepare parking hangtags 100. Parking hangtags 100 are typically made of plastic or very thick cardstock in order to hang vertically and not curl in an automobile (due to heat, humidity, handling). This rigidity also permits easy attachment and removal by means of a large die-cut hook or circle cut-out within the hangtag. Hangtags are almost always attached to the rear view mirror 42 of vehicles and are typically very large, 3" x 6" in order to permit them to be seen and read by enforcement officers from a distance of 15 to 25 feet from in front of the vehicle. This rear view mirror attachment is almost universal because it is the only common location near the driver where the hangtag can be attached and removed easily by the driver when parking and driving the vehicle. Additionally, if they are not removed before driving the vehicle because of their large size, they tend to swing and blow-around while the vehicle is in motion, being a distraction to the driver. There are several common problems with conventional parking hangtags. First, because ofthe difficulty in attaching and removing parking hangtags from the rear view mirror, they are typically left hanging from the rear view mirror during driving. Even though parking hangtags clearly state that they must be removed while driving, this warning is almost universally ignored Further, almost all hangtags are made of rigid 10 or 20 mil plastic in order to withstand the constant handling and attachment by the office or agency issuing the hangtags and the user. Because such thick materials are used they are not capable ofbeing printed by normal office computer-printers. Typically the expiration date is written on by hand, which makes it easy altered and hence, the hangtags can be altered by changing the expiration date.
Still referring to Figs. 7-13, the preferred parking hang-tag of this invention 100 attaches to a simple plastic hook 64 that is left attached to the rear view mirror 42. When a person is issued a hangtag for either permanent parking or disability parking, the simple plastic hook 64 is attached to the persons rear view mirror 42. Each time the hangtag 100 is to be used, it is attached by means of the aperture or hole 40 in the hangtag, hooked over the rear view mirror 42 When the car is to be driven again, the hangtag 100 is easily removed from the hook 64.
As shown in Figs. 7-13, the parking hangtag of this invention 100 employs a separate plastic hook 64 that is permanently attached to the rear view mirror 42 and is easy to attach and remove from the mirror. This decreases the possibility of the parking hangtag 100 becoming a hazard while driving. Additionally, the hangtag 100 can be printed on demand by a thermal transfer or a laser printer which eliminates the problem of having to purchase large quantities of hangtags in advance. It also means that the date of expiration can be printed in very large numbers and letters by the electronic printer which will reduce the problem of date-changing. Furthermore, by printing the hangtags on an electronic printer, one can preprint the cardstock economically with all types of secure features such as panagraph, multiple colors, holograms, etc., to make them more secure and harder to counterfeit.
Optionally, as depicted in Figs. 14-15, the identification card may have an indicia 28 that is printed and also have an indicia that could be produced by placing a business card (Fig. 14) or a photograph (Fig. 15) behind sheet 36 that has a cut-out therein, and when the sheets 34, 36 are folded and adhesively sealed to each other, the business card or photograph is sealed between the sheets 34, 36 and can be viewed through the cut-out.
The identification cards produced from the strip assemblies of this invention have many other uses. For example, the identification cards may be used for retail tags, price tags, inventory tags. In all cases, the construction is similar to that described herein with the only variation being the size and shape of the card, and the location of the attachment hole.
While several advantageous embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention. it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.