CA2219548A1 - Business form with easily extractable identification card - Google Patents

Business form with easily extractable identification card Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2219548A1
CA2219548A1 CA 2219548 CA2219548A CA2219548A1 CA 2219548 A1 CA2219548 A1 CA 2219548A1 CA 2219548 CA2219548 CA 2219548 CA 2219548 A CA2219548 A CA 2219548A CA 2219548 A1 CA2219548 A1 CA 2219548A1
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CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
perforation
line
card
business form
layer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2219548
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
David H. Schnitzer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Standard Register Co
Original Assignee
Uarco Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Uarco Inc filed Critical Uarco Inc
Publication of CA2219548A1 publication Critical patent/CA2219548A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Abstract

Difficulties in removing an identification card (22) from a business form including the same and made up of a base layer (10) formed of a readily destructible material and having at least one laminate layer (30), (32) formed of a relatively indestructible material adhered to the base layer (10) along with a perforation (20) in the layers (30), (32) defining the boundary of the card are minimized by the provision of a second line of perforation (70) in at least the laminated layers (30), (32) which extends from an edge (72) of the laminate layers (30), (32) to the closed line of perforation (20) thereby allowing easy tearing through the laminate layers (30), (32) to the closed line of weakening (20).

Description

CA 02219j48 1997-10-29 .

96-4.app SPECIFICATION
BUSINESS FORM WITH EASILY EXTRACTABLE IDENTIFICATION CARD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to business forms of the type having an identification card, and more specifically, to such a business form wherein the identification card is readily extractable from the business form itself.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Business forms embodying identification cards are seeing a rapid upswing in popularity. Such identification cards are used for a large variety of purposes which may include identification purposes in the conventional sense. They are also used to provide indications of insurance, showing policy limits, as well as the identity of 15 the policy holder. Another typical use may be to indicate that a holder is a member in some organization ranging from a charitable organization to one interested in conservation or the environment to a health maintenance organization .
In many instances, the identification cards of the type that are embodied in 20 business forms are preferred over conventional plastic cards because they may be completed as by any of a variety of known printing processes rather than requiring more expensive embossing. Furthermore, the stock material may be made more economically in some instances as well.
Business forms of this type may be in continuous form or may be as 25 individual cut sheets which typically will be made by cutting a continuous form at appropriate intervals. In the usual case, they will include a base sheet formed of a destructible material as, for example, paper. The paper will typically have a width CA 02219~48 1997-10-29 such that after processing, it may be fitted within a typical business size envelope.
The length of each form will also be appropriate to that function.
An area on the form will ultimately provide the identification card. To provide strength and longevity to the card, the area that is to provide the card is 5 provided with a laminate layer which is relatively indestructible and typically is a transparent polyester having a thickness of 0.0005" to 0.005". In many cases, both sides of the business form will have a laminate layer to provide an added measure of protection.
In the usual case, so-called "fixed information", that is, information that 10 does not vary from one form to the next, will be printed on the form and at the card location prior to the application of the laminate layer or layers. Thereafter, variable information, that is, information that will vary from one card to the next and which, in some cases, may be totally unique to each card as, for example, an identification number, will be printed upon the card, either on the base layer if 15 exposed or on the overlying laminate layer.
Because it is necessary that the cards remain integral with the form during the addition of variable information thereto, it is typical to provide a perforation in the form which defines the boundary of the identification card. In the usual case, the line of perforation will be a closed line of perforation of generally rectangular 20 configuration having rounded corners. The fact that the card is part of the form by reason of its attachment by the ties forming part of the line of perforation assures integrity of the form during processing. At the same time, the perforation is intended to a!low the recipient of the card to separate the card from the remainder of the form along the line of perforation.

CA 02219~48 1997-10-29 Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the laminate layer of polyester or whatever other material might be selected is a relatively indestructible material that is intended to provide strength and long life to the card as mentioned previously. As a consequence, such a material is relatively tough and the ties 5 forming part of the line of perforation will likewise be tough because they are formed in whole or in part by the material of which the laminate layer is formed.
This frequently makes it difficult to initiate removal of the card from the remainder of the form without causing damage thereto.
Heretofore, recipients of business forms having such cards have worked the 10 card back and forth in the frame of the business form in which it is received to break the ties forming part of the line of perforation. In some cases, particularly where the corners of the card are formed by die cuts, the recipient may attempt to pop the corner out of the plane of the remainder of the form so that it can be held by the fingers and pulled to remove it from the remainder of the business form.
Unfortunately, in some cases, this may lead to the polyester tearing at a location not on the line of perforation and/or delamination of the polyester from the base layer. In either case, damage to the card and an unsightly, ragged appearance is a result.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the above 20 problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the principal object of the invention to provide a new and improved business form of the type embodying an identification card. More specifically, it is 25 an object of the invention to provide such a business forrn wherein the identification card may be readily removed from the remainder of the business form with minimal possibilities of damage thereto.
An exemplary embodiment of the invention achieves the foregoing object in a business form including an identification card having a base layer formed of a 5 readily destructible material and at least one laminate layer formed of a relatively indestructible material adhered to the base layer. Means are included in the layers to define the boundary of the card and include a closed line of perforation in the laminate layer. The invention contemplates that there be a second line of perforation in at least the laminate layer that extends from an edge of the laminate 10 layer to the closed line of perforation to provide a means for readily freeing the card from the remainder of the form.
In a preferred embodiment, the base layer is paper and the laminate layer is a polyester film.
Preferably, the closed line of perforation includes at least one die cut corner 15 and the second line of perforation extends to the die cut corner.
In a highly preferred embodiment, the base layer is sandwiched by two of the laminate layers with the lines of perforation and the laminate layers being aligned .
In a highly preferred embodiment, the closed line of perforation is generally 20 rectangular and the additional line of perforation intersects a die cut at the corner generally in alignment with one of the parts of the closed line of perforation defined in the corner.
Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

CA 02219~48 1997-10-29 DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a single form length or cut sheet business form made according to the invention; and Fig. 2 is a somewhat schematic, sectional view taken in approximately along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings in the form of a cut sheet business form or as a single form length. However, it is to be expressly understood that the invention contemplates that the business form will be made in continuous form such that it may be provided to a consumer in continuous form for processing on the consumer's printing equipment.
Alternatively, after manufacture, the continuous business form may be cut into individual form iengths such as shown in Fig. 1 and provided to the consumer as a cut sheet business form.
In either event, the business form includes a base ply, sheet or layer 10 that will be formed of a readily destructible material. Usually, paper will be employed as the material of which the base sheet 10 is formed.
Along its longitudinal edges, the base sheet 10 includes control punch margins 12 and 14 which may be removed from the remainder of the base sheet 10 along the lines of weakening, usually perforations, shown at 16. As is well known, the control punch margins 12 and 14 are employed during the manufacture of the form as a continuous form. When the form is also processed by a consumer as a continuous business form, the control punch margins 12 and CA 02219~48 1997-10-29 14 are used in that process as well. Depending upon the wishes of the user, they may or may not be removed from the remainder of the base layer 10 after processing is complete and the form is placed in an envelope for mailing.
As seen in Fig. 1, a closed line of perforation, generally designated 20, 5 defines an area 22 which is intended to define an identification card. In the example illustrated, the identification card defined by the area 22 includes indicia, generally designated 24 indicating that the holder of the card is a member of a particular group health association. The indicia 24 will typically be so-called "fixed indicia" and printed on the base sheet 10 as one of the first steps in the 10 preparation of the business form.
As seen in Fig. 2, the area 22 of the base sheet 10 is sandwiched between a top protective laminate layer 30 and a bottom protective laminate layer 32. In the usual case, the layers 30 and 32 will be a polyester film that is transparent and which will have a thickness in the range of about 0.0005" to about 0.005". The layers 30 and 32 are adhered to the base sheet 10 as by a suitable adhesive layers 34, 36. In some instances, the laminate layer 30 may be omitted.
Variable information 37 is printed on either of the upper surface of the base sheet 10 or on the laminate layer 30 (when present). In some cases, the variable information will be printed on the base sheet 10 by the business form 20 manufacturer while in others, the variable information will be added by the customer of the manufacturer. In this case, the variable information 37 provides the identification of the holder of the card.
In some cases, the laminate layers 30, 32 will be in the form of rectangular patches of somewhat greater size than the closed line of perforation 20 while in CA 02219~48 1997-10-29 other cases, they may be formed as elongated strips that extend between the top 38 and bottom 40 of the business form.
Returning to Fig. 1, the closed line of perforation 20 is generally rectangular in form and has four sides, 42, 44, 46, and 48, corresponding ones of which are 5 aligned in each of the layers 30, 32. The perforations making up each of the sides 42, 44, 46 and 48 are defined by slits 50 separated by ties 52. To break the line of perforation 20, it is necessary that the ties 52 be broken.
At the corners, that is, where the sides 42, 44, 46, 48 intersect, curved die cuts 56, 58, 60 and 62 are provided. The die cuts 56, 58, 60 and 62 are rounded 10 to provide the conventional rounded corners on an identification card and are tantamount to being curved, elongated slits 50 as is well known.
Typically, the laminate layer or layers 30, 32 will have a size greater than the area 22 that is to define the card. Further, the base sheet will be of a size greater than that of the laminate layer or layers 30, 32.
According to the invention, an additional line of perforation, generally designated 70, is provided. The line of perforation 70 extends from an edge or edges 72 of the laminate layers 30, 32 to the closed line of perforation 20. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the additional line of weakening 70 in fact extends to the die cut 58 at one of the corners of the card 22 and ;s aligned with the side 42 of the 20 closed line of weakening 20. If desired, the additional line of weakening 70 could be extended into the base sheet 10 and to an edge thereof but inasmuch as that is of relatively readily destructible material, and is easily torn, such an extension is not necessary to the practice of the invention.
Extending the additional line of weakening 70 to the die cuts 58 or 60 is preferred over extension to the die cuts 56 or 62. The die cuts 58 or 60 are CA 02219~48 1997-10-29 nearer the marginal edge of the form defined by the line of weakening 16, thus reducing the amount of tearing of the base sheet 10 required to reach the additional line of weakening 70.
Additionally, in some cases it may be desirable to employ more than one 5 additional line of weakening 70. For example, additional lines of weakening as the line 70 could extend to each of the die cuts 56, 58, 60 and 62.
When a recipient receives the business form in an envelope and removes.the same, the card 22 may be removed from the remainder of the form simply by tearing the base sheet to the edge 72 of the iaminate layer or layers 30, 32. At that point, the recipient may grasp the laminate layers 30, 32 at a first point 76 on one side of the additional line of perforation and, with the other hand, grasp it at a second point 78 on the other side of the additional line of perforation 70. The recipient may then to proceed to tear down the additional line of perforation 70 into the closed line of perforation 20 and continue tearing about the same until the card 22 is totally released from the remainder of the form. By locating the additional line of perforation 70 so that it intersects a die cut 56 at one of the corners, the possibility of an undesirable tear in the card itself is reduced because of the relatively free nature of the card 22 at the corners provided by the die cuts which are in effect large versions of the slits 50. By aligning the additional line of perforation 70 with one of the sides 42 of the closed line of perforation 20, the chances of the tear wandering off of the lines of perforation 20, 70 at their interface is substantially reduced because a straight line tear is all that is required.
It will therefore be readily appreciated that a business form including an identification card made according to the invention possesses all of the advantages of business forms embodying identification cards and eliminates difficulties in their use in terms of eliminating the problems of freeing the card from the remainder of the business form that have heretofore existed.

Claims (7)

1. A business form including an identification card including a base layer formed of a readily destructible material, at least one laminate layer formed of a relatively indestructible material and adhered to said base layer, and closed means in said layers defining the boundary of said card including a closed line of perforation in said laminate layer, the improvement wherein a second line of perforation in at least said laminate layer extends from an edge of said laminate layer to the closed line of perforation to provide a means for readily freeing the card from the remainder of the form.
2. The business form of claim 1 wherein said base layer is paper and said laminate layer is a polyester film.
3. The business form of claim 1 wherein said closed line of perforation includes a die cut corner and wherein said second line of perforation extends to said die cut corner.
4. The business form of claim 1 wherein said base layer is sandwiched by two of said laminate layers, the lines of perforation in said laminate layers being aligned .
5. The business form of claim 1 further including an additional laminate layer of relatively indestructible material adhered to said base layer oppositely of said first named laminate layer.
6. A business form including an identification card, comprising:
a base sheet of paper;
at least one polyester film layer adhered to said base sheet at a location thereon that is to define said card;
means, including a closed line of perforation in said film layer, defining the boundary of said card;
said closed line of perforation being generally rectangular and having die cuts at its corner; and additional line of perforation extending from an edge of said film layer to said closed line of perforation at one of said die cuts.
7. The business form of claim 6 wherein additional line of perforation intersects said one die cut generally in alignment with one of the parts of saidclosed line of perforation defining the corner at which said one die cut is located.
CA 2219548 1996-11-01 1997-10-29 Business form with easily extractable identification card Abandoned CA2219548A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US74294796A 1996-11-01 1996-11-01
US08/742,947 1996-11-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2219548A1 true CA2219548A1 (en) 1998-05-01

Family

ID=24986884

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2219548 Abandoned CA2219548A1 (en) 1996-11-01 1997-10-29 Business form with easily extractable identification card

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2219548A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7658371B2 (en) 2004-03-15 2010-02-09 Lehigh Press, Inc. Magnetic strip removable portion format

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7658371B2 (en) 2004-03-15 2010-02-09 Lehigh Press, Inc. Magnetic strip removable portion format

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