Multi-metal layered card
View Patent ↗A metal transaction card is provided having a metal core layer with metal cladding layers connected thereto on opposing sides thereof. The metal core layer may have a density and/or thickness that is significantly greater than the density and/or thickness of the metal cladding layers. The density of the metal core layer may be at least 2.5 times greater than the density of the metal cladding layers. The density of the metal core layer may be at least 7.5. The outward facing lateral surface of one or both of the metal cladding layers may be anodized, or anodized and colorized. The anodized lateral surface(s) may be coated to increase the performance of a one or more hot-stamped elements attached to the coated surface(s).
1. A transaction card, comprising:
a metal core layer having a density of at least a first density value;
a first metal cladding layer connected to one side of the metal core layer, wherein the first metal cladding layer has a density no greater than a second density value;
a second metal cladding layer connected to another side of said metal core layer, opposite to said one side, wherein said second metal cladding layer has a density no greater than said second density value;
visible indicium indicative of an account associated with the transaction card; and,
wherein said first density value is at least 2.5 times greater than said second density value.
2. A transaction card according to claim 1 , wherein a total weight of the metal core layer is at least 50% of a total weight of the transaction card.
3. A transaction card according to claim 1 , wherein said first density value is at least 7 g/cm 3 .
4. A transaction card according to claim 1 , wherein a total weight of said transaction card is greater than at least 24 g.
5. A transaction card according to claim 1 , wherein said transaction card has a total thickness across said metal core layer, first metal cladding layer, second metal cladding layer and coating, and wherein said metal core layer defines at least 30% of said total thickness, and said first metal cladding layer and said second metal cladding layer combinatively define no greater than 70% of said total thickness.
6. A transaction card according to claim 5 , wherein said metal core layer defines at least 60% of said total thickness, and said first metal cladding layer and said second metal cladding layer combinatively define no greater than 40% of said total thickness.
7. A transaction card according to claim 1 , wherein said metal core layer comprises at least one of tungsten, a tungsten alloy, and stainless steel, wherein said first metal cladding layer comprises at least one of aluminum and an aluminum alloy, and wherein said second metal cladding layer comprises at least one of aluminum and an aluminum alloy.
8. A transaction card according to claim 1 , wherein said metal core layer and each of said first and second metal cladding layers extend laterally across an entire length and an entire width of the transaction card, in parallel correlation to one another.
9. A transaction card according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second metal cladding layers comprises a visible, anodized, outward-facing lateral surface.
10. A transaction card according to claim 9 , wherein each of said first and second metal cladding layers comprises a visible, anodized, outward-facing lateral surface.
11. A transaction card according to claim 9 , wherein said indicium is defined by at least one of the following:
laser etched removal of a portion of the anodized, lateral surface of said at least one of said first and second metal cladding layers; and, ink printing.
12. A transaction card according to claim 9 , further comprising:
a coating applied to the anodized, lateral surface of said one of said first and second metal cladding layers; and,
a hot-stamped element applied directly to said coating.
13. A transaction card according to claim 12 , wherein said hot-stamped element comprises at least one of a machine readable element, a card holder signature panel, a hologram element, and a decorative element.
14. A transaction card according to claim 12 , wherein said coating comprises one or a water-based clear coating, a solvent-based clear coating, and a UV-curable clear coating.
15. A transaction card according to claim 9 , wherein said first and second metal cladding layers comprise visible side edge surfaces that are visually differentiateable from visible side edge surfaces of said metal core layer.
16. A transaction card according to claim 1 , wherein said first and second metal cladding layers comprise visible, non-anodized side edge surfaces.
17. A transaction card according to claim 16 , wherein said visible, anodized lateral surface is colorized.
18. A transaction card according to claim 1 , wherein said first and second metal cladding layers are each directly adhered to said metal core layer.
19. A transaction card according to claim 1 , wherein said first and second metal cladding layers are each directly adhered to said metal core layer with a cynoacrilid glue.
20. A transaction card according to claim 1 , wherein said transaction card has a uniform weight distribution across an entire length and an entire width of the transaction card.