WO1996023276A1

WO1996023276A1 - Card

Info

Publication number: WO1996023276A1
Application number: PCT/SE1996/000063
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Zetterlund; Bengt Liljemark
Original assignee: Eco-Card Sweden Ab
Priority date: 1995-01-24
Filing date: 1996-01-23
Publication date: 1996-08-01
Also published as: SE9500243L; SE508930C2; SE9500243D0

Abstract

Card (1; 1') comprising at least one information carrier (6; 6'), for example a telephone card or a credit card, wherein the card (1; 1') comprises at least two layers (8, 9; 8', 9') made of wood connected to each other, wherein each layer (8, 9, 10; 8', 9', 10') has a main fiber direction and that the fiber directions of the layers (8, 9, 10; 8', 9', 10') are orientated in at least two different directions.

Description

Card

The present invention relates to a card according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a card and a use thereof.

The main object of the present invention is to bring about a card which is naturally decomposable and which is provided with an information carrier such as a microcir- cuit, a magnetic tape or the such like.

JP 56-64637 discloses a sound card made of paper with a magnetic tape attached to the front side or on both the front and rear sides of the paper card. The card is also pro¬ vided with a space for notes. Disadvantages of this card are that it does not meet the requirement for resistance to wear which is expected for cards which will be used for a long period of time, and its ability to resist bending forces is poor. If the card comes into contact with water it can be destroyed.

DE-B1-29 20 012 relates to an identity card comprising an IC -module. The card consists of a plastic or paper core which is coated on the front and rear sides with a film. There is a cavity in the core for a support element onto which the IC-module is applied. The film should consist of a highly elastic material in order to absorb the bending stresses which the card and consequently the core are subjected to. A dis¬ advantage of coating a card made of paper, which has a thickness which corresponds to the standardized thickness of an identity card, telephone card, credit card or d e like, with a film is that the thickness of the film must constitute a considerable part of the total thickness of the card if the requirement for rigidity will be fulfilled for the card. Consequently, the amount of non-environmentally friendly material becomes propor¬ tionally large in the card.

It is known from JP 11-52094 to apply a very thin plate of wood on the surface of a magnetic card, such as a telephone card or the like. The wooden layer has a thickness of only 0.2 to 0.5 microns. The purpose of applying the wood layer to die magnetic card is to achieve a natural looking design and a natural feel for the user of the card. The thin wooden layer consequendy does not contribute to the rigidity required for a telephone card but has only a decorative function.

An object of the present invention is to avoid die disadvantages which are associated with the cards which are mentioned in the above documents.

A further object of the present invention is to bring about a card made of wood whic complies with the legislation relating to final user liability.

Yet a further object of die present invention is to achieve a card made of wood of which the surface permits four-colour high resolution printing which means that images can be reproduced with a great wealth of details.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to achieve a card made of wood whic does not crack in its longitudinal direction as is often die case for credit cards made plastic.

According to die invention diis is achieved with a card having die features mentione in claim 1.

Some embodiments of me invention will be described in more detail below witii reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a card according to a first embodiment.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a card according to a second embodiment.

Figure 1 shows a card 1 made of wood according to a first embodiment of d e presen invention which, for example, can be used as a means of payment in a telephone callbox, i.e. a telephone card. The card 1 has two long sides 2, two short sides 3 and diickness t which substantially corresponds to die dimensions of contemporary known telephone cards made of plastic to die European standard, 85,6 x 53,98 x 0,76 mm. The card can of course also have another shape.

In the surface 4 of the card tiiere is a cavity 5 which can receive an information carrier 6 in me shape of a microcircuit of which the contents can be adapted according to die intended purpose. The cavity 5 is placed centrally between the long sides 2 and in the vicinity of a short side 3 and has a depth which essentially corresponds to die diickness of the information carrier 6.

Card 1 consists of three layers of wood which are bound to each other by a biodegra¬ dable adhesive 7. The tiiree layers have essentially die same thickness. The fiber direction of die two outer layers 8,9 corresponds to die direction of die long side 2 of d e card 1 while die intermediate layer 10 has a fiber direction which is essentially perpendicular to d e fiber directions of the outer layers 8,9. With die fiber directions of the layers in tiiis selected orientation, a card is achieved which fulfills die requirements which are placed on a telephone card in connection witii flexural and torsional rigidity. The adhesive 7 is equally distributed over the surfaces of the layers and all die way out to die long and short sides 2,3 of die card 1 which leads to d e adhesive 7 contributing to a good abrasion resistance for die long and short sides 2,3 of d e card 1. The corners of die card 1 are advantageously rounded in order to, on die one hand, achieve a good strength and, on die otiier hand, a pleasant feel for d e user.

Figure 2 shows a card 1' according to a second embodiment of die present invention. The card has the same dimensions and is constructed in die same manner as the card according to die first embodiment. The difference, however, resides in mat die card 1' is constructed with a longitudinal recess 5' in me surface 4' of the card 1' which extends between die short sides 3 ' of die card 1' parallel with and in die vicinity of one of me long sides 2' of die card 1'. An information carrier 6' in die shape of a magnetic tape or a magnetic strip, which has a length, breadtii and diickness corresponding to die dimensions of me recess 5', is applied to die recess 5'. The card 1' of die second embodiment according to the invention is suitable for use as a credit card, bank card as a cash card.

The cards 1;T according to die above embodiments are milled out from a sheet consisting of tiiree layers of wood which are bound to each otiier so that a plywood structure is achieved.A biodegradable adhesive 7;7' is used as adhesive. Accordingly the cards solely consist of biodegradable material: layers of wood and biodegradabl adhesive. The fiber directions of die two outer layers 8,8';9,9' are orientated so tiiat tiiey coincide witii die direction of die long side 2;2' of die card 1;1' while die inter- mediate layer 10; 10' has a fiber direction which is essentially perpendicular to die fi directions of d e outer layers 8,8';9,9'. Witii tiiis arrangement die card has a greater flexural rigidity in me longitudinal direction which is desirable witii regard to die flexural loads which die card is subjected to during use. In order to achieve good strength characteristics in die card 1 ; 1 ' it is important that die natural fiber structure the wood is preserved, i.e. tiiat die fibers are orientated in the plane of die layers so to achieve an unbroken fiber structure.

In connection witii die milling out of die card 1;1' from die sheet, a cavity 5;5', whic will receive the information carrier 6,6', is also milled out. Subsequendy die infoπna tion carrier 6;6' is fixed into die milled out recess 5;5' by means of a biodegradable adhesive.

In association witii die treatment of the card, a layer of paint or varnish in the form o base print is placed over me whole or part of die surface or surfaces 4;4' of the card 1;1', following which an image in one or more colours or a text is printed directly on the surface or surfaces 4;4' of the cards 1;1' and or die parts which are coated witii d base print. If die natural appearance and texture of the wood is to remain, the surfac or surfaces 4;4' of the card 1;1' can be coated with a transparent varnish.

In order to obtain a good quality picture or text printed on d e card 1;1', it is appro¬ priate that the wood material con-sists of a type of wood witii a tight fiber structure s tiiat a fine surface smoothness and a large surface density are obtained. This is the case of woods from broad-leaf trees. Woods from broad-leaf trees have also die properties that they do not absorb liquids as easily as woods from, for example, coniferous trees.

In the case that die information carrier 6;& is made of a material which is not biode¬ gradable, die information carrier 6;6' can be broken off or pressed out from the rear side of die card 1;T so tiiat die information carrier 6;& is separated from the card 1;1' and can be handed in to an environmental station while the card 1;1' is tiirown away and taken care of in the normal waste handling system.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments _hown and a plurality of variations are conceivable within the scope of die patent claims. Thus, it is conceivable to form a card made of wood witii more or less than tiiree layers. Furthermore, it is also possible to apply more than one information carrier onto a card. Instead of applying the information carrier in a cavity in the card, it is conceivable to fasten the information carrier directly to die surface of the card. It is also possible to imagine placing the information carrier between the outer layers of die card in a recess in the intermediate layer, whereat d e information carrier is connected to contact surfaces on one or both of the outer layers or that information is transmitted or received wirelessly.

Claims

1. Sheet-shaped card (1; 1') for at least one information carrier (6; 6'), for example a telephone card or a credit card, characterized in that the card (1; 1') comprises at least two layers (8, 9, 10; 8', 9', 10') of wood joined to each otiier, wherein each layer (8, 9, 10; 8', 9', 10') has a main fiber direction, and tiiat the fiber directions of the layers (8, 9, 10; 8', 9', 10') are orientated in at least two different directions.

2. Card according to Claim 1, characterized in that the number of layers (8, 9, 10; 8', 9', 10') is tiiree, tiiat die fiber directions of the two outer layers (8, 9; 8', 9') correspond to die directions of a long side (2; 2') of die card (1; 1'), and tiiat the intermediate layer (10; 10') has a fiber direction which is essentially perpendicular to the fiber directions of die outer layers (8, 9; 8', 9').

3. Card according to Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that d e layers (8, 9, 10; 8', 9', 10') have essentially equally large diickness.

4. Card according to Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the layers (8, 9, 10; 8', 9', 10') are joined to each otiier by a biodegradable adhesive (7; 7').

5. Card according to Claim 4, characterized in that the wood material consists of a wood from a broad-leaf tree.

6. Card according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one cavity (5; 5') is arranged in one surface (4; 4') of the card (1; 1') and tiiat die information carrier (6; 6') is applied in the cavity (5; 5').

7. Card according to Claim 6, characterized in that the cavity (5; 5') is placed centrally between two long sides (2; 2') of die card (1; 1') and in the vicinity of one short side (3; 3') of die card (1; 1') and that die deptii of die cavity (5; 5') corresponds essentially to die diickness of die information carrier (6; 6').

8. Card according to Claim 6, characterized in that the cavity (5; 5') extends between two short sides (3; 3') of die card (1; 1') and is parallel with and in the vicinity of a long side (2; 2') of die card (1; 1') and tiiat the size of the cavity (5; 5') corresponds with the size of the information carrier (6; 6').

9. Card according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that d e information carrier (6; 6') consists of a microcircuit, a magnetic tape, a hologram, or a characteristic associated with an individual, and which can cooperate with an information reading and/or transmitting unit separate from the card ( 1 ; 1 ').

10. Card according to Claims 1-9, characterized in that at least one side of die card (1; V) is provided witii a layer forming a base print for colour printing.

11. Method for manufacturing a sheet-shaped card (1; 1 ') containing at least one information carrier (6; 6'), for example a telephone card or a credit card, characterized in that several cards (1; 1') are simultaneously made from a sheet of wood which comprises at least two layers (8, 9, 10; 8', 9', 10') of wood joined to each otiier, wherein each layer (8, 9, 10; 8', 9', 10') has a main fiber direction, and that die fiber directions of the layers (8, 9, 10; 8', 9', 10') are orientated in at least two different directions.

12. Method according to Claim 11, characterized in that die card (1; 1') is made through milling.

13. Method according to Claim 11, characterized in that the number of layers (8, 9, 10; 8', 9', 10') in the sheet is three, wherein the fiber directions of the two outer layers (8, 9; 8', 9') correspond to die direction of a long side (2; 2') of die card (1; 1') and wherein the intermediate layer (10; 10') has a fiber direction which is essentially perpendicular to die fiber directions of d e outer layers (8, 9; 8', 9').

14. Method according to Claim 11 or 13, characterized in that the layers (8, 9, 10; 8', 9', 10') have essentially equal tiiicknesses.

15. Method according to Claim 11, characterized in that the layers (8, 9, 10; 8', 9' 10') are joined to each otiier witii a biodegradable adhesive (7; 7').

16. Method according to Claim 11, characterized in that the wood material is a wood from a broad-leaf tree.

17. Method according to Claim 11, characterized in that at least one cavity (5; 5') is milled in a surface of the card and tiiat d e information carrier (6; 6') is applied to the cavity (5; 5').

18. Method according to Claim 17, characterized in that d e cavity (5; 5') is milled out centrally between two long sides (2; 2') of die card (1; 1') and in die vicinity of one short side of me card (1; 1 ') and tiiat the deptii of the cavity (5; 5') essentially corresponds to die diickness of die information carrier (6; 6').

19. Method according to Claim 17, characterized in that die cavity (5; 5') extends between two short sides (3 ; 3 ') of die card ( 1 ; 1 ') and parallel to and in the vicinity of a long side (2; 2') of die card (1; 1') and tiiat die dimensions of e cavity (5; 5') correspond witii die dimensions of die information carrier (6; 6').

20. Method according to any of Claims 11-19, characterized in that the informatio carrier (6; 6') consists of a microcircuit, a magnetic tape, a hologram, or a characteristic associated witii an individual and can cooperate witii an information reader or transmitter unit separated from the card.

21. Metiiod according to any of Claims 11-20, characterized in that at least one side of die card (1, 1') is equipped witii a layer forming a base print for colour printing.

22. The use of a sheet-shaped card (1; 1') comprising at least two layers (8, 9, 10; 8', 9', 10') of wood joined to each other, wherein each layer (8, 9, 10; 8', 9', 10') has a main fiber direction and die fiber directions of the layers (8, 9, 10; 8', 9', 10') are orientated in at least two different directions, as a telephone card or a credit card in a telephone machine, a bank machine, or in some other apparatus which comprises a reading and/or registering means.