US 7,540,426 B1
Foldable transaction cards and methods of making the same
Priscilla Gandel, Long Branch, N.J. (US); Ellen Lasch, New York, N.Y. (US); and Lisa Ann Morrill Webb, East Sussex (United Kingdom)
Assigned to American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., New York, N.Y. (US)
Filed on Nov. 27, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/604,502.
Application 11/604502 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/733619, filed on Dec. 10, 2003, granted, now 7,147,151, filed on Dec. 12, 2006.
Application 10/733619 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/436394, filed on May 12, 2003, granted, now 7,213,764, filed on May 08, 2007.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/442991, filed on Jan. 28, 2003.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/424592, filed on Nov. 07, 2002.
Int. Cl. G06Q 40/00 (2006.01); G07D 11/00 (2006.01); G07F 19/00 (2006.01); G06K 19/00 (2006.01); G06K 19/06 (2006.01); G06F 5/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 235—487  [235/492; 235/493; 235/380; 235/379] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A foldable transaction card comprising:
a first layer comprising an upper surface and a lower surface;
a second layer comprising an upper surface and a lower surface;
a memory configured to store account information;
an internal hinge layer comprising a first surface and a second surface disposed between said first layer and said second layer such that a first portion of said first surface of said internal hinge layer is in direct contact with said lower surface of said first layer and a first portion of said second surface of said internal hinge layer is in direct contact with said upper surface of said second layer;
wherein a third portion of said internal hinge layer comprises a second portion of said first surface of said internal hinge layer that is not in direct contact with said lower surface of said first layer and a second portion of said second surface of said internal hinge layer that is not in direct contact with said upper surface of said second layer;
wherein said internal hinge layer comprises at least one of an elastomeric material or a thermoplastic polymeric material;
wherein said third portion of said internal hinge layer is a folding locus permitting repeated folding and unfolding of said transaction card at said folding locus;
and wherein said transaction card has an overall thickness in an unfolded state measured from a front surface of said card to a rear surface of said card determined by adding at least the thicknesses of each of said first layer, said second layer, and said internal hinge layer.