Identification card strip assembly

Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Layer or component removable to expose adhesive

Reexamination Certificate

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C040S001500, C283S081000, C428S042100, C428S042200, C428S043000, C428S136000, C428S137000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06197396

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to cards and badges for identification and security and specifically to thin paper or cardboard badges which can be easily manufactured, preferably in unique configurations, printed and written upon, and distributed using computerized equipment to provide the capability of customizing printing, color, content and speed of delivery at low costs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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. Additionally, it is desirable for certain type functions to have an identification card that not only has such data thereon but also is uniquely shaped to emphasize the type function for which the card is being used.
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. Pat. 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 of the 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.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,836 to Burke describes a tag assembly wherein the tag sheet is cut to provide a plurality of discrete tags which may be removed from the carrier sheet. Burke requires that the adhesive be applied to a major portion of the carrier sheet and be adapted to be retained on the sheet and not on the tag when the tag is removed so that there is no residue or adhesive remaining on the tags. There is no teaching or suggestion of a double layered card capable of being printed on both sides.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,976 to Popat et al describes a three layered card comprising laminations surrounding a card having only one surface for printing thereon. Additionally, there is no provision for attaching the card to a person's clothing. There is no teaching or suggestion of a double layered card capable of being printed on both sides.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,938 to Schmidt describes a breast pocket ID card. There is no provision for providing a double layered laminated card that can be printed upon on both sides and mounted on a clip for attachment to clothing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,037 to Keller describes a foldable semirigid plastic card made of polyvinylchloride that can not be printed upon with a laser printer, i.e., it is semirigid. Additionally, the layers are not adhered to each other by an adhesive.
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:
2,395,804 to DeGruchy
  767,647 to Bree
3,175,317 to Slavsky
4,790,566 to Boissier
3,996,679 to Warneke
4,869,941 to Ohki
4,020,575 to Kruger et al
4,999,065 to Wilfert
4,170,015 to Elliano et al
5,019,421 to Mecke et al
4,222,662 to Kruegle
5,106,719 to Oshikoshi et al
4,305,215 to Smith
5,157,424 to Craven et al
4,579,754 to Maurer et al
5,161,826 to Van Giesen et al
4,596,409 to Holbein
5,219,610 to Koshizuka et al
4,680,459 to Drexler
5,270,073 to Koshizuka et al
4,687,526 to Wilfert
5,380,695 to Chiang et al
4,692,394 to Drexler
5,421,619 to Dyball
4,695,173 to Tomida
5,427,832 to Longtin
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.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide an identification badge with a non-reflective exposed surface such that when the badge is passed through an electronic scanner or reader, e.g., bar code slot reader/scanner, the badge surface can be placed in substantial contact with the reader or scanner without an overlying plastic covering or coating to interfere with the scanner and to thereby provide a more accurate and rapid reading of the badge.
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. The assembly is sufficiently flexible to pass through, for example, a laser printer or pin feed printer. 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 substantiall

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