IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,496,271
Granted Patent B2
US 8,496,271 · App. 10/634,328 · Granted Jul 30, 2013

Multi-purpose card

Inventors: Kenneth Thompson (Ventura, CA); Debra Tak Thompson (Ventura, CA)
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,496,271
App. No.
10/634,328
Granted
Jul 30, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A multi-purpose card includes a combination of a plurality of coupons detachably cut into the redemption card, a bar code imprinted onto the redemption card, integrated circuit chips, and/or a scratch-off foil overlying an offer or information printed on the card. The multi-purpose card may be housed integrally in a promotional mailer in the form of a two-piece in one post card. The card is created and defined within the promotional mailer by score lines intermittently cut through a top layer, base layer and plastic film of the mailer in a manner to securely maintain the card in place until forcibly removed.

Claims (32)

1. A multi-purpose card, comprising:

a base layer defining a wallet-sized card;

first and second redemption or charging means in the form of first and second integrated circuit chips, each integrated circuit chip containing information relating to a different entity, wherein the first and second integrated circuit chips are mis-aligned to allow selective charging or redeeming for that entity;

whereby the multi-purpose card may be used for different transactions or purposes by selectively passing the first or second integrated circuit chip through a reader thus redeeming or charging to the selected entity.

2. The multi-purpose card of claim 1 , wherein the base layer is comprised of plastic or paper.

3. The multi-purpose card of claim 1 , wherein the first and second integrated circuit chips are on opposite surfaces of the base layer.

4. The multi-purpose card of claim 1 , including a laminate layer including a hologram, overlying and attached to the base layer.

5. The multi-purpose card of claim 1 , including a picture associated with the card.

6. The multi-purpose card of claim 1 , including a bar code imprinted onto the base layer.

7. The multi-purpose card of claim 1 , including a plurality of peel-off coupons detachably connected to the base layer.

8. A multi-purpose card, comprising:

a base layer;

first and second redemption or charging means in the form of first and second integrated circuit chips, each integrated circuit chip containing information relating to a different entity, wherein the first and second integrated circuit chips are disposed on opposite surfaces of the base layer to allow selective charging or redeeming for that entity;

whereby the multi-purpose card may be used for different transactions or purposes by selectively passing the first or second integrated circuit chip through a reader thus redeeming or charging to the selected entity.

9. The multi-purpose card of claim 8 , wherein the base layer is comprised of plastic or paper.

10. The multi-purpose card of claim 8 , including a laminate layer including a hologram, overlying and attached to the base layer.

11. The multi-purpose of card of claim 8 , including a picture associated with the card.

12. The multi-purpose of card of claim 8 , including a defined area of the card having information printed thereon and covered with a scratch-off foil treatment.

13. The multi-purpose card of claim 8 , including a bar code imprinted onto the base layer.

14. The multi-purpose card of claim 8 , including a plurality of peel-off coupons detachably connected to the base layer.

15. A multi-purpose card, comprising:

a base layer;

first and second redemption or charging means in the form of first and second integrated circuit chips, each integrated circuit chip containing information relating to a different entity, wherein the first and second integrated circuit chips are aligned on the same surface of the base layer to allow selective charging or redeeming for that entity;

whereby the multi-purpose card may be used for different transactions or purposes by selectively passing the first or second integrated circuit chip through a reader thus redeeming or charging to the selected entity.

16. The multi-purpose card of claim 15 , wherein the first and second integrated circuit chips are positioned at opposite ends of the base layer.

17. The multi-purpose card of claim 15 wherein the first ad second integrated circuit chips are positioned at the same end of the base layer.

18. The multi-purpose card of claim 15 , wherein the base layer is comprised of plastic or paper.

19. The multi-purpose card of claim 15 , including a laminate layer including a hologram, overlying and attached to the base layer.

20. The multi-purpose of card of claim 15 , including a picture associated with the card.

21. The multi-purpose of card of claim 15 , including a defined area of the card having information printed thereon and covered with a scratch-off foil treatment.

22. The multi-purpose card of claim 15 , including a bar code imprinted onto the base layer.

23. The multi-purpose card of claim 15 , including a plurality of peel-off coupons detachably connected to the base layer.

Continuity (3)
Division 09865652 · May 25, 2001
Continuation In Part 09812020 · Mar 19, 2001
Related Publication 20040026915A1 · Feb 12, 2004