FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to articles such as those which can be distributed for various purposes such as identification, discount cards for sales purposes, telephone calling cards or as souvenir mementos for events.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of plastic or laminated plastic articles have been developed over the years. Such articles include driver's licenses, identification cards, credit cards, telephone calling cards, and discount cards. Other articles such as playing cards, waterproof artwork and mazelike amusement devices have also been developed using plastic lamination methods.
Laminated playing cards have been disclosed which include a paper stock base with opaque printed paper layers adhered to each side of the base. The composite is encased between layers of clear plastic film and then mechanically embossed to provide a non-slip surface.
A maze amusement device of laminated construction has also been disclosed. A card is printed to provide maze designs on each side, one the mirror of the other such that the lines forming the maze on one side have opposing lines on the opposite face. The card is laminated between layers of plastic film. Gates are marked on each side, gates on one side opposite gates on the other side forming imaginary access ports through the card. The outer plastic layers are capable of having lines drawn on such layers by, e.g., a marking pen, to play a game with the maze device, which lines can be removed after each use.
Also known is a primary plastic card having indicia on each face thereof and, as removable portions of the card, a wallet sized card having a magnetic strip portion and circular coupon portions. The card bearing the magnetic strip and the coupons having perforations defining the perimeters of the card bearing the magnetic strip and the coupons. The perforations provide means for removal of the card bearing the magnetic strip and/or the coupons from the primary card.
Further known is a plastic card having straight sides and rounded corners with a wallet size card portion bearing indicia and a smaller portion bearing related indicia. The portions are defined and made separable by a perforated line. The card, as presented, has a telephone calling card as a portion thereof.
Where cards are provided with separable portions, at least one or more of the separable portions generally has undesirable sharp corners which can injure the user or various materials with which the card may come into contact. The card may also be lacking in aesthetic qualities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, in one aspect, provides an article, the article having at least three perimeter edges; a front surface and a back surface with smooth rounded corners at the angular perimeter portions thereof; the article being divided into at least two card portions and having indicia on at least a portion of one surface; means for separating the card portions; and the article being formed such that when the card portions are separated, each card portion has smooth rounded corners at the angular perimeter portions thereof.
The article, which can also be termed a card, can be formed, for example, of paper, card stock, plastic sheet or moldable plastic, wood veneer, leather, foil or other such substantially thin materials. Various combinations of card material can also be used to form the card. The card preferably has at least the outer surfaces thereof formed of plastic material to enhance the longevity of the card. The card material can be formed by well-known methods.
The card can be of any shape or size but, generally preferred for convenience, the card has at least one portion thereof being substantially wallet sized, i.e., of rectangular shape with dimensions of about two inches in height by about three inches in width.
Various indicia can be located on one or both surfaces of the card, the indicia serving to provide desired lettering, numbers, designs, photographs, holograms and the like on the card, such as well-known to those skilled in the art. For example, as part of the indicia on the card surface, bar codes may be printed for various purposes. Data may be presented for business purposes. Holograms may be included for decorative purposes or to deter unwanted duplication. Designs or likenesses of celebrities can be a part of the indicia such that card portions can serve as collector or souvenir cards.
The card can also have indicia on both the front and back surfaces, each surface of a card portion having closely related indicia to serve similar purposes such as character likenesses with different poses on each side of one portion to provide a collector or souvenir card, the other portion having indicia which could serve as a ticket stub. A card having indicia on both sides can serve to promote a product using similar or different indicia on each side of one portion, the other portion having indicia thereon to provide a discount coupon for a product or service. The card indicia can also serve many other almost limitless purposes as can be determined by the designer or developer preparing the indicia.
A card portion can have portals therein to provide means for hanging such as, for example, on a key chain, neck chain, or a vertical surface such as a wall, desk, or office cubicle divider. A card portion can have attached to one face thereof a magnetic strip such that the card portion can be appended to a metal surface such as, for example, a refrigerator.
Further, a card portion can have a machine readable magnetic strip formed thereon for identification or other such well-known purposes. Items may be attached to the card or portion thereof of the invention. Such items which may be attached to the card or portion thereof include, for example, tickets, coupons, character figurines, or identification to be temporarily adhered to a wearer's clothing or adhered to a person such as a temporary tattoo. All such additions to the card being well known to those skilled in the art.
The present invention, in another aspect, provides a method of forming an article comprising the steps of 1) providing a substantially flat material having a front surface and a back surface and capable of being formed in a desired shape; 2) forming the article such that at least three perimeter edges are formed and the angular portions thereof are provided with smooth rounded corners; 3) providing means such that the article is capable of being separated into at least two portions; and 4) providing the article, in the forming step, with curved portions at the perimeter edges thereof proximate the means for separating such that, upon separation, each portion has smooth rounded corners at the angular perimeter portions thereof.
The article, or card, can be formed by cutting, stamping, molding, and other such methods well-known to those skilled in the art. Combinations of such methods may also be used to form the card.
Rectangular or square cards are generally preferable for most purposes, although other shapes can be used to satisfy special requirements. The means provided to make separable certain portions of the card can be perforations, scoring or other means again well-known to those skilled in the art. A card portion can have portals provided therein. Such portals can be provided at the time the card is being formed or subsequently by means such as punching and the like.
The present invention, in yet another aspect, provides a method of using an article, the steps comprising
1) providing an article having at least three perimeter edges; a front surface and a back surface with smooth rounded corners at the angular perimeter portions thereof; the article being divided into at least two card portions and having indicia on at least a portion of one surface; means for separating the card portions; and the article being formed such that when the portions are separated, each portion has smooth rounded corners at the angular perimeter portions thereof; and
2) separating the card portions.