WO2004076199A1

WO2004076199A1 - System for obtaining an identification card and identification card thus obtained

Info

Publication number: WO2004076199A1
Application number: PCT/PT2003/000002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jorge Manuel Lopes Teixeira
Original assignee: LORENZ BELL
Current assignee: LORENZ BELL
Priority date: 2003-02-26
Filing date: 2003-02-26
Publication date: 2004-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 2005-08-26
Also published as: AU2003210082A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for obtaining an identification card (14) comprising a plastic base and an adhesive label (5) printed with identification elements and symbols using computerised means. It is essentially characterised in that it uses a heet (1) consisting of a paper base and a transparent film applied thereto on which spaces (15) are defined where self-adhesive labels (5) are printed, these labels being removable by means of perforations (2 and 3), half-cuts (6 and 7), a cut (8) and a set of perforations (9 and 10), and an application device (11) allowing said label (5) to be applied to the plastic base (14) centrally and adjusted to the dimensions thereof.

Description

SYSTEM FOR OBTAINING AN IDENTIFICATION CARD AND IDENTIFICATION CARD THUS OBTAINED

The present invention belongs to the field of identification and credentiation, allowing any individual person or companies to create their own identification cards to be used, for example for events, seminars, conferences, congresses, meetings, or simply to identify people in companies, health clubs, etc. More specifically, this invention relates to a system for obtaining an identification card and the card thus obtained.

Background to the invention

The need for identification has to date been met by two basic types of products.

- Identification by means of plastic cards (in the nature of credit cards)

In this case, identification is made by issuing plastic cards in the nature of credit cards, which may have a magnetic strip for storing data and or other security elements.

Cards of this type are issued using specialist equipment, normally expensive special printers connected to computer systems, which use appropriate software to define the layout of the elements that are to be printed. The technical and financial characteristics of the process mean that it can only be used for permanent identification in large companies or for events which require a large number of identification tags to be issued.

- Identification by means of other types of cards

The second type of identification involves the use of cards made of cardboard, paper or any other material where the relevant identification details can be indicated.

In this case, the cards (in the nature of calling cards) made of paper or any other suitable material are printed using any of the classic methods - by hand or by using a typewriter or computer printer.

After filling in the details on the card, it is inserted into a flexible plastic pouch or into a stiff holder which, using a spring, clip or pin, is attached to the clothing of the person to be identified.

One of the main inconveniences of this alternative is the poor quality of presentation and the lack of versatility of the elements constituting the card.

As official documents, a few patents relating to identification cards and CD labels are cited, including those indicated below.

Patent US 5.873.606 relates to an identification card comprising a base coated with an adhesive substance protected by a detachable paper. This card is prepared by removing the detachable paper, placing an identification card into contact with the adhesive substance and then attaching a fastening device through a slot in the base of the card. In order to attach the card to the user's clothing, various types of fastening devices can be used. Patent US 6.479.118 provides six labels to be applied to CD-ROMs, which are cut using a template and are applied to a sheet, laid out in two vertical columns, with three labels situated to one side of a central scored or perforated line and the other three on the opposite side. Each set of three labels is spaced from the outer edges of the sheet and, by folding the sheet in half and removing a comer tab, an adhesive edge of one of the labels is exposed, which can be applied to a disc manually held on an outline on the back of the sheet, thus avoiding the need to use any applicator centring device, or holder for the disc and/or for the label.

Patent application WO 0.183.305 relates to a fixture to receive a label to be applied to a CD disc. The fixture includes a base having a well approximately identical in dimensions to the shape of the label and of the CD disc. The label, after printing symbols thereon, is placed adhesive side up in the well of the fixture. Since the shape of the well approximates the shape of the CD disc, the disc can be placed inside the well, within the bounds of the well of the fixture, with its unwritten side facing up. The disc or label is then overlaid on the other manually in the well, and they are pressed against each other in order to adhere the label to the disc.

Patent application US 20020096874 relates to label assembly comprising a support sheet made of a paper material defining opposite surfaces, an adhesive coating applied to one side of the support sheet, and a printing paper defining opposite front and rear surfaces. The rear surface of the printing paper is releasably fixed to the support sheet in facial contact therewith through the adhesive coating and the printing paper is divided into individual paper labels which are individually removable from the support sheet. The label assembly constitutes an assembly which is easily printable in a laser jet or any similar printing machine, such as an ink-jet printer or a typewriter, this label assembly making it possible to print a specific label for identifying a ring binder file. Patent US 6.085.393 relates to a strap attachment for an identification card which includes a fastening element suitable for attaching to the user's clothing. The identification card coupling element is capable of forming a closed loop for coupling to an identification card through a slot in the identification card.

Patent US 6.484.424 relates to an assembly with a jewellery-like appearance, which consists of a device for displaying graphic material and enables the user to employ modern systems for creating the graphics, such as personal computers. The assembly includes a front plate and a back plate with a safety spring pin trapped between these two plates. The graphics are presented on an identification plate mounted in a recessed area surrounded by a frame on the front plate. Alignment contours are formed in the front plate to assist the user in installing his graphics on the assembly.

Patent US 2.213.449 relates to a holder for an identification card, comprising a body with a generally rectangular shape consisting of a substantially flat metal sheet with a thinner marginal portion extending around at least three sides thereof, a transparent panel extending across one face thereof, situated at its margin on the thinner portion and together with the body inside said thinner margin a pocket for receiving a card, a frame consisting of a separate metal sheet suitable for clamping said panel to the thinner portion, the fourth side of the holder having a slot opening into said pocket through which a card can be inserted into the pocket, and deformable means situated in said body or frame that can be moved to close the slot.

As can be observed, the abovementioned documents, although they refer to the execution of identification cards, labels, apparatus for applying labels and devices for fastening the cards to clothing, have substantially different characteristics from those that are claimed in the present invention. In fact, the prior art relating to the application of self-adhesive labels to cards, namely plastic cards, is totally different. In most cases complex and expensive apparatus is required and/or the result is rather unprofessional. The actual apparatus for applying labels to cards (when they exist) or to CD-ROMs (more common) are different and rather complex. Also, the cuts made in the sheets of labels are different, since they are intended for methods of application that are different from the one designed herein.

Summary of the invention

After examining the characteristics and the target markets for the identifϊcation/credentiation processes mentioned above, it was ascertained that there was a lot of room for development between the two solutions, since between the high quality, professional character and high cost of the first solution and the poor quality and short-term nature of the second solution, there could be many more professional solutions which would make full use of the technological means available to most companies, independent professionals and private individuals.

The development of this new identification card is therefore based on two basic concepts:

1 - The "do-it-yourself concept

This card is intended to make all the potential users of identification cards independent and capable of producing the identifiers that they might need, without having to seek any outside assistance.

2 - Use of existing resources In line with the philosophy behind the previous concept, the intended objective was to avoid "forcing" the user to make any investment other than the acquisition of the actual kit with the system for obtaining the card.

This invention therefore intends to create a system for applying labels to cards which is extremely simple and does not require the use of any sophisticated devices and which can be used by anyone who has access to the computer equipment that is commonly used nowadays (personal computer and printer).

The main objective of the present invention is to design a system for obtaining an identification card consisting of a plastic holder and an adhesive label printed with identification elements and symbols using computerised means. It is essentially characterised in that it uses a sheet consisting of a paper base and a transparent film applied thereto on which spaces are defined where self-adhesive labels are printed, these labels being removable by means of perforations, half-cuts, a cut and a set of perforations, and an application device for applying the label to the plastic card base centrally and adjusted to the dimensions thereof.

Brief description of the drawings

The description below makes reference to drawings attached hereto that are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, in which:

- Figure 1 represents a sheet with the paper base and transparent film;

- Figure 2 represents the drop-shaped cuts and perforations;

- Figure 3 represents the back of the sheet shown in figure 1;

- Figure 4 represents the application device; - Figures 5 to 14 show the various steps in the sequence for obtaining an identification card using the system of the invention; and

- Figure 15 represents the clip which sticks to the card in order to enable it to be used on clothing.

Detailed description of the invention

As can be seen in figures 1 and 2, in the system for obtaining identification cards 14, as defined in claim 1, the self-adhesive labels 5 are printed using any type of printer, namely an ink-jet or a laser printer, on a standard sized sheet 1 consisting of a paper base and a transparent film applied thereto. Said sheet 1 comprises: a central perforation 2 and horizontal perforations 3 to divide it into spaces 15 reserved for each label 5; a rectangular half-cut 6 to define the space inside which each label 5 will be printed and which allows them to be separated from the paper base; another half-cut 7 in the paper base (on the back of the sheet 1 - see figure 3), three quarters of the way along the longer side of the space 15, which extends from top to bottom and is interrupted at the points where it crosses with the horizontal perforation 3, where it is substituted by perforations 10 existing in the paper base and in the film, which are visible on the front and the back of sheet (such perforations preventing the sheet from having any raised parts which could stop it passing through the printer), in order to permit the removal of part of said paper base; and two cuts 8 and perforations 9 at the bottom of the sheet 1 in the shape of a drop, inside the space 15, above and below the longer edges of the labels 5 already defined by the aforementioned half-cuts, in order to enable the whole to be centred and attached to the application device 11.

The half-cuts 6 and 7 are made in such a way as to cross from one side to the other the film and the paper base respectively, whereas the perforations 2 and 3 and the deep cut 8 are made in such a way as to cross from one side to the other the sheet 1, and the perforations 9 and 10 form connection points between the cut parts.

The aforementioned application device 11 for obtaining cards 14 consists of a base 12, on the upper side of which there is a hollow 13 identical in shape to the card 14 and two tabs 16 situated centrally on the outside of each of the longer sides of the hollow 13. Said base 12 has any suitable shape but it preferably has an indented area half way up which, as can be seen below, will facilitate the attachment of the label onto the card and the removal of the card after the printed label has been placed and stuck thereon. Said tabs 16 are shaped so as to end in a cutting edge in order to facilitate the tearing process and the correct and firm attachment of the sheet through the drop-shaped cuts 8 and to facilitate the central and perfect sticking process without creating any air bubbles or creases in the film of the label 5 on the plastic base for obtaining a card 14.

The labels 5 obtained using a transparent film suitable for being printed on a computer using an ink-jet or laser printer are, as mentioned above, formed in spaces previously defined by the cuts 2 and 3 in the sheet 1 consisting of the paper base and self-adhesive transparent film, they are defined by the half-cuts 6 and are printed using software previously configured in accordance with the definitions of the spaces 15 and 5, such software making it possible to create personal identifiers with various elements, for example text, photographs, shapes, textures, logos, bar codes, etc.

The aforementioned half-cuts 6 and 7 are made by means of a cut which runs across the film only from one side to the other, and the deep cuts 8 are also made by means of a cut which crosses from one side to the other the whole formed by the film and the base sheet 1. The perforations 2 and 3 also cross the whole formed by the base sheet 1 and self-adhesive transparent film.

Once the card has been obtained, it can be used simply as such or it can be fastened to clothing using a clip or a fastening clip 17 to which a double- sided adhesive strip 19 is applied in order to attach it to the card, such strip being protected by a strip of protective paper before application.

The operations to be carried out in order to obtain an identification card using the system of the invention are represented in figures 5 to 14 and are the following:

- using suitable software, a label is created to be printed on the plastic base for obtaining the identification card (figure 5);

- the part or space 15 of the sheet 1 of the label where the image containing the elements pertaining to the identification card is printed is removed along the perforation 2 and 3 (figure 6);

- the plastic base of the identification card 14 that is to be made is placed inside the hollowed area 13 of the application device 11 (figure 7);

- the two drop-shaped fastening holes 8 existing in the sheet 1 where the label is printed are torn along the perforation by pressing on the paper base of the film (i.e. sheet 1) (figure 8);

- the right-hand portion of the paper base sheet, space 15, is removed by means of the half-cut 7 existing in the sheet and, using the left thumb in a continuous movement from left to right, the film is stuck to the plastic base (figure 9); - the space 15 is released from the fastening tabs 16 and the left-hand portion of the paper base is removed, and at the same time as the paper base sheet is removed, the user's thumb is pressed on the film in order to stick it to the plastic base (figure 10);

- the clip 17 is grasped and the paper protection is removed from the double-sided tape 19 and applied to the back of the card in the desired position (figures 11 and 12);

- if a pin is to be used, it is inserted into the slot 18 of the clip 17 and pressed in place (figure 13);

- the card is fastened to the clothing, if desired (figure 14).

Claims

1. System for obtaining an identification card 14 comprising a plastic base and an adhesive label 5 printed with identification elements and symbols using computerised means, characterised in that it uses a sheet 1 consisting of a paper base and a transparent film applied thereto on which spaces 15 are defined where self-adhesive labels 5 are printed, these labels being removable by means of perforations 2 and 3, half-cuts 6 and 7, a cut 8 and a set of perforations 9 and 10, and an application device 11 allowing said label 5 to be applied to the plastic base 14 centrally and adjusted to the dimensions thereof.

2. System for obtaining an identification card, according to the previous claim, characterised in that the sheet 1 presents: a central perforation 2 and horizontal perforations 3 to divide it into spaces 15 reserved for each label 5; a rectangular half-cut 6 to define the space inside which each label 5 will be printed and which allows them to be separated from the paper base; another half-cut 7 in the paper base, three quarters of the way along the longer side of the space 15, which extends from top to bottom and is interrupted at the points where it crosses with the horizontal perforation 3, where it is substituted by perforations 10, in order to permit the removal of part of said paper base; and two cuts 8 and perforations 9 at the bottom of the sheet 1 in the shape of a drop, inside the space 15, above and below the longer edges of the labels 5 already defined by the aforementioned half-cuts, in order to enable the whole to be centred and attached to the application device 11.

3. System for obtaining an identification card, according to claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the half-cuts 6 and 7 are made in such a way as to cross from one side to the other the film and the paper base respectively, the perforations 2 and 3 and the deep cut 8 are made in such a way as to cross from one side to the other the sheet 1, and the perforations 9 and 10 form connection points between the cut parts.

4. System for obtaining an identification card, according to claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the film to be adhered to the paper base is transparent and suitable for printing by computerised means using an ink-jet or laser printer.

5. System for obtaining an identification card, according to claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the labels 5 are printed using specific software configured in accordance with the dimensions of the card, making it possible to create personal identifiers with various elements, for example text, photographs, shapes, textures, logos, bar codes.

6. System for obtaining an identification card, according to claim 1, characterised in that said application device 11 consists of a base 12, on the upper side of which there is a hollow 13 identical in shape to the card 14 and two tabs 16 situated centrally on the outside of each of the longer sides of the hollow 13.

7. Identification card characterised in that it is obtained using the system according to the previous claims.

8. Identification card, according to claim 7, characterised in that it has a fastening clip 17 to attach it to the clothing of the user of the card, to which a double-sided adhesive strip 19 is applied in order to attach the clip to the card 14, such strip being protected by a strip of protective paper before application, with the possibility of attaching a safety pin by means of the user exerting pressure on the recesses existing inside the head of the clip 18.

9. System for obtaining an identification card, according to claim 1, characterised in that the label 5 is applied to the plastic holder by means of the following operations:

- using suitable software, the labels to be used are printed on the sheet 1 ;

- the part or space 15 of the sheet 1 of the label where the image containing the elements pertaining to the identification card is printed is removed along the perforation 2 and 3;

- the plastic base of the identification card 14 that is to be made is placed inside the hollowed area 13 of the application device 11;

- the two drop-shaped fastening holes 8,9 existing in the sheet 1 where the label is printed are torn along the perforation by pressing on the paper base of the film (i.e. sheet 1);

- the right-hand portion of the paper base sheet, space 15, is removed by means of the half-cut 7 existing in the sheet and, using the left thumb in a continuous movement from left to right, the film is stuck to the plastic base;

- the space 15 is released from the fastening tabs 16 and the left-hand portion of the paper base is removed, and at the same time as the paper base sheet is removed, the user's thumb is pressed on the film in order to stick it to the plastic base;

- the clip 17 is grasped and the paper protection is removed from the double-sided tape 19 and applied to the back of the card in the desired position; - if a pin is to be used, it is inserted into the slot 18 of the clip 17 and pressed in place;

- the card is fastened to the clothing, if desired.