WO2008105582A1

WO2008105582A1 - Credit card combined with decorations

Info

Publication number: WO2008105582A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/005795
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seung Hyun Ahn; Dae Sun Kim
Original assignee: Gk Power Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-02-27
Filing date: 2007-11-19
Publication date: 2008-09-04

Abstract

A credit card securely combined with decorations through implanting is provided. The credit card includes plastic or metal sheets (12, 13 and 14) layered to form a multi-layered structure, and transparent coating sheets (11 and 15) placed on and below the multi-layered sheets and thermally attached thereto. The sheets and the coating sheets are partially cut to form a cut part (19) having a predetermined shape. A locking piece (40) is thermally integrated with the sheets such that the locking piece is partially interposed between the sheets (12 and 13) at a location around the cut part (19) and a remaining part thereof is exposed outside cut edges of the sheets. A decoration (30), having a predetermined shape corresponding to the shape of the cut part and provided with a locking groove (31) along an edge thereof, is slidably engaged with the locking piece.

Description

Description CREDIT CARD COMBINED WITH DECORATIONS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to credit cards and, more particularly, to a credit card, a part of which is cut or punched and in which a decoration, having a shape and a size corresponding to those of the cut or punched part, is securely attached in the cut or punched part through an implanting technique. Background Art

[2] In recent years, the utilization of credit cards has been diversified such that they are used as, for example, ID cards, in addition to conventional use thereof as payment means. To achieve the above-mentioned diversified utilization of the credit cards, a variety of additional devices, such as data storage media like IC chips, may be embedded in the credit cards, and further, plastic sheets constituting a credit card may be printed with a variety of color patterns or color characters through offset printing such that the credit cards can represent distinct personalities of users and can have beautiful distinct appearances, and can show a variety of literal information.

[3] As described above, to improve the appearance of credit cards in the related art, most credit cards have been decorated through offset printing. However, the offset printing is limited because it cannot give upgraded refinement to the credit cards which can be improved by forming a unique texture on the cards or making the appearance of the cards distinct. Thus, the credit cards decorated through offset printing may fail to capture the interest of users who attach importance to their personalities.

[4] As another example of conventional techniques to improve the appearance of credit cards, a credit card, in which a decoration made of a precious metal having intrinsic gloss is placed between plastic sheets constituting the credit card or placed on a surface of a plastic sheet of the card and is thermally attached to the plastic sheet(s), thus forming a unique texture of the card, has been proposed. However, it is very difficult to attach a metal material to a plastic sheet through thermal integration, so that it is requir ed to use an adhesive agent to attach the metal decoration to the plastic sheet(s).

[5] When a decoration is attached to a credit card using an adhesive agent, it is almost impossible to accomplish a stable and secure adhesion of the decoration to the card. Furthermore, an external force may be applied to the card according to a using environment of the card, so that the card may be bent or folded. Further, when even a little moisture is introduced into the junction between the plastic sheets of the credit card according to repeated use of the card over a lengthy period of time, the decoration may be easily removed from the card. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[6] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and is intended to provide a credit card, a part of which is cut or punched and in which a decoration, having a shape and a size corresponding to those of the cut or punched part, is securely attached in the cut or punched part through an implanting technique, so that the decoration may not be easily removed from the card even when an external force is applied to the card and which can represent a distinct image, thus improving the elegance and personality of a user. Technical Solution

[7] In an aspect, the present invention provides a credit card combined with decorations, comprising: a plurality of sheets made of a plastic or metal material and sequentially layered to form a multi-layered structure; transparent coating sheets having a size capable of covering the sheets and respectively placed on and below the multi-layered sheets and thermally attached thereto, wherein parts of the sheets and the coating sheets are cut to form a cut part having a predetermined shape; a locking piece thermally integrated with both the sheets and the coating sheets such that the locking piece is partially interposed between the sheets at a location around the cut part and a remaining part of the locking piece is exposed outside cut edges of the sheets, thereby being locked to a junction between the sheets; and a decoration configured to have a predetermined shape corresponding to the shape of the cut part and provided with a locking groove along an edge thereof so as to be slidably engaged with the locking piece.

[8] Here, the credit card may further comprise: a plurality of locking holes formed in each of the decoration and the locking piece such that the locking holes are spaced out at regular intervals; and a locking member inserted into aligned locking holes of the decoration and the locking piece in a state in which the decoration is engaged with the locking piece such that corresponding locking holes are aligned with each other, so that the locking member fastens the decoration to the locking piece. The locking member may be a rivet or a set screw.

[9] The contact parts between the locking piece and the decoration may be combined with each other through electric resistance welding, in which a current flows in the contact parts in a state in which the decoration is engaged with the locking piece, so that the contact parts can be locally heated and combined with each other by electric resistance.

[10] In another aspect, the present invention provides a credit card combined with decorations, comprising: a plurality of sheets made of a plastic or metal material and sequentially layered to form a multi-layered structure; transparent coating sheets having a size capable of covering the sheets and respectively placed on and below the multi-layered sheets and thermally attached thereto, wherein central areas of the sheets and the coating sheets are punched to form a punched part having a predetermined shape; a locking piece thermally integrated with both the sheets and the coating sheets such that the locking piece is partially interposed between the sheets at a location around the punched part and a remaining part of the locking piece is exposed outside punched edges of the sheets, thereby being locked to a junction between the sheets; and a decoration configured to have a predetermined shape corresponding to the shape of the punched part and divided into upper and lower decoration parts, with a flange formed along an edge of the upper decoration part so that, when the upper and lower decoration parts are brought into contact with each other, a locking groove, which is engaged with the locking piece, is defined along the edge by the flange.

[11] Here, the credit card may further comprise: a plurality of locking holes formed in each of the upper and lower decoration parts of the decoration and the locking piece such that the locking holes are spaced out at regular intervals; and a locking member inserted into aligned locking holes of the decoration and the locking piece in a state in which the upper and lower decoration parts of the decoration are placed such that the locking piece is interposed between the upper and lower decoration parts and corresponding locking holes are aligned with each other, so that the locking member fastens the decoration to the locking piece.

[12] In the above case, the locking member may be a rivet or a set screw.

[13] Further, contact parts between the locking piece and the decoration comprising the upper and lower decoration parts may be combined with each other through electric resistance welding, in which a current flows in the contact parts in a state in which the upper and lower decoration parts of the decoration are engaged with the locking piece, so that the contact parts can be locally heated and combined with each other by electric resistance.

[14] Further, a jewel may be attached to the decoration, thus improving the beauty of the credit card.

Advantageous Effects

[15] According to the present invention, a part of a credit card is cut or punched to form a cut or punched part having a shape and a size corresponding to those of a decoration and the decoration is slidably engaged with the cut or punched part and is combined therewith using a locking member or through electric resistance welding, so that the credit card of the present invention is advantageous in that the decoration can accomplish a high integration force relative to the card compared to a conventional credit card combined with a decoration through a simple adhesion method using an adhesive agent, thus overcoming the problem of the conventional credit card in which the decoration may be easily removed from the card by an external force applied to the card. [16] Further, when a metal decoration is used as the decoration in the present invention, the credit card can have the improved beauty compared to a conventional credit card made of only a plastic material. Further, due to the intrinsic gloss of a metal of the decoration, the credit card can represent a distinct image and improves the elegance and personality of a user. [17] Further, when the decoration is attached to the credit card using a locking member, such as a rivet, the decoration can be easily detached from a sheet body of the card, so that, when it is required to change a broken or surfeited decoration with a new one, the change of the decoration can be easily accomplished.

Brief Description of the Drawings [18] FIGS. 1 and 2 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a credit card combined with a decoration according to the present invention, respectively; [19] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a combined relationship between a sheet body of the credit card and a decoration according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [20] FIGS. 4 and 5 are a perspective view and a sectional view illustrating a process of combining the decoration with the sheet body of FIG. 3 according to the present invention, respectively; [21] FIGS. 6 and 7 are sectional views illustrating combined states of the decoration according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which is combined with the sheet body using a variety of locking members, respectively; [22] FIG. 8 is a plan view of a credit card combined with a decoration according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [23] FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating the combined relationship between the credit card and the decoration of FIG. 8;

[24] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the combined credit card of FIG. 9;

[25] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a credit card combined with a decoration according to a third embodiment of the present invention; [26] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the combined relationship between a sheet body of the credit card and the decoration according to the third embodiment of the present invention; [27] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a credit card combined with a decoration according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

[28] FIG. 14 is a sectional view illustrating the combined relationship between the credit card and the decoration of FIG. 13.

[29] <Description of reference characters of important parts>

[30] 10: sheet body 11, 15: coating sheet

[31] 12. 13, 14: plastic sheet 20: magnetic tape

[32] 21: IC chip 22: antenna coil

[33] 23: hologram 30: decoration

[34] 30a: upper decoration 30b: lower decoration

[35] 31: locking groove 31a: flange

[36] 32, 41: locking hole 33: jewel

[37] 40: locking piece 42: integration hole

[38] 50: locking member

Mode for the Invention

[39] Hereinbelow, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[40] FIGS. 1 and 2 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a credit card combined with a decoration according to the present invention, respectively.

[41] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the credit card according to the present invention comprises a flat sheet body 10 having a predetermined size and a decoration 30, which is combined in a predetermined part of the sheet body 10. The sheet body 10 comprises a plurality of sheets 12, 13 and 14, which may be made of a plastic or metal material and are sequentially layered to form a multi-layered structure, and upper and lower transparent coating sheets 11 and 15, which has a size capable of covering the multi- layered sheets 12, 13 and 14 and are respectively placed on and below the multi- layered sheets 12, 13 and 14, and are thermally attached thereto. The decoration 30 is slidably engaged with a cut part 19 (see FIG. 3), which is formed by cutting a part of the sheet body 10 including both the multi-layered sheets 12, 13 and 14 and the upper and lower coating sheets 11 and 15, and is combined therewith using locking members.

[42] The number of multi-layered sheets 12, 13 and 14 is set to two, three or four according to a using purpose of the credit card. Thus, four, five or six sheets, which include the sheets 12, 13 and 14 and the upper and lower coating sheets 11 and 15 used for protecting the surfaces of the credit card, are layered on top of one another and are thermally attached to each other, thus forming a credit card. Of course, it should be understood that the number of multi-layered sheets including the coating sheets is not limited to the above-mentioned number, but more sheets may be required in some cases.

[43] The sheets 12, 13 and 14 are preferably configured as thin sheets using a plastic material. As shown in the drawings, the plurality of sheets 12, 13 and 14 are layered on top of one another, thus forming a basic structure for the sheet body 10. The upper and lower coating sheets 11 and 15 are made of a thin transparent plastic material. The upper coating sheet 11 is attached to the upper surface of the uppermost sheet 12 among the multi-layered sheets 12, 13 and 14 and the lower coating sheet 15 is attached to the lower surface of the lowermost sheet 14.

[44] After the plurality of plastic sheets 12, 13 and 14 are layered on top of one another and the coating sheets 11 and 15 are placed on and below the multi-layered plastic sheets 12, 13 and 14, the sheets 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are thermally attached to each other through a thermal compressing process or a welding (spot welding or brazing) process, thus forming a sheet body having a large surface area. The large- sized sheet body is cut through a cutting process into a plurality of sheet pieces having desired sizes according to a using purpose of credit cards. In the process of producing the sheet body, before the multi-layered sheets are thermally integrated with each other, the plastic sheets 12, 13 and 14 and the coating sheets 11 and 15 are cut in corresponding edges thereof such that cut parts having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size are formed in the edges. Thereafter, the multi-layered sheets having respective cut parts are integrated with each other into a sheet body 10. The decoration 30, which is configured to have a shape and a size corresponding to those of the cut part 19, is combined with the cut part 19 through implanting, thus producing the credit car of the present invention.

[45] Hereinbelow, the implanted structure of the decoration 30 in the sheet body 10 according to respective embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[46] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a combined relationship between a sheet body of a credit card and a decoration according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4 and 5 are a perspective view and a sectional view illustrating a process of combining the decoration with the sheet body of FIG. 3 according to the present invention, respectively.

[47] As shown in FIG. 3 through 5, a decoration 30 is combined in the cut part 19 of the sheet body 10, which has been produced through both a thermal compressing process and a cutting process such that it has a predetermined size. To achieve the combination of the decoration 30 with the sheet body 10, a locking piece 40 is provided in a cut edge of the cut part 19 of the sheet body 10 such that the locking piece 40 is partially exposed outside the cut edge. A locking groove 31 is formed along an edge of the decoration 30 such that the locking groove 31 can be fitted over the exposed part of the locking piece 40 through sliding movement. Thus, when the decoration 30 having the locking groove 31 is pushed into the cut part 19 having the partially exposed locking piece 40, the decoration 30 can be easily combined with the sheet body 10.

[48] Before the plastic sheets 12, 13 and 14 are thermally integrated with each other into a multi-layered structure, the locking piece 40 is partially interposed between the plastic sheets 12 and 13 at a portion around the cut part 19 and is then thermally integrated with the plastic sheets 12, 13 and 14 into a single structure, so that the locking piece 40 can be securely attached between the sheets 12, 13 and 14. In the above state, the unexposed part of the locking piece 40, which is in contact with the sheets 12, 13 and 14, is preferably provided with a plurality of integration holes 42 therein, so that the heated plastic sheets can be partially introduced into the integration holes 42 during the thermal compression of the sheets, thus accomplishing a secure and stable integration of the locking piece 40 with the sheets. The exposed part of the locking piece 40, which is exposed outside the cut edge of the cut part 19, is provided with a plurality of locking holes 41 spaced out at regular intervals.

[49] The decoration 30 is configured to have a distinct appearance with both a predetermined thickness and a predetermined size corresponding to those of the cut part 19, with the locking groove 31 formed along the edge of the decoration 30 so as to be fitted over the exposed part of the locking piece 40, provided in the cut part 19 of the sheet body 10, through sliding movement. Further, a plurality of locking holes 32 are formed along the edge of the decoration 30 such that the locking holes 32 vertically cross the locking groove 31 and can be aligned with the locking holes 41 of the locking piece 40 when the decoration 30 is combined with the cut part 19 of the sheet body 10 through the sliding movement of the locking groove 31 of the decoration 30 along the locking piece 40 of the sheet body 10.

[50] After the locking groove 31 of the decoration 30 is combined with the locking piece

40 such that the corresponding locking holes 32 and 41 are aligned with each other, a plurality of locking members 50 are inserted into the aligned locking holes 32 and 41 of the decoration 30 and the locking piece 40 and fasten the decoration 30 to the locking piece 40. Thus, the decoration 30 can be securely fastened to the sheet body 10. In the embodiment, the locking members 50 are preferably selected from rivets and set screws, having a shank length corresponding to the thickness of the sheet body 10, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. However, it should be understood that nuts and bolts or another locking means may be used as the locking members in the present invention.

[51] As shown in the drawings, a jewel 33, such as diamond, sapphire or ruby, is preferably attached to the upper surface of the decoration 30, which is combined with the sheet body 10 through an implanting technique according to the embodiments of the present invention. In the above state, the jewel 33 can improve the beauty of the credit card, thus improving the elegance and personality of a user.

[52] In the drawings, the reference numeral 20 denotes magnetic tape, which is attached to the lower surface of the lower coating sheet 15, the numerals 21 and 22 denote an integrated circuit (IC) chip and an antenna coil, respectively, which are attached to the plastic sheet 13, and the numeral 23 denotes a hologram, which is attached to the upper coating sheet 11.

[53] According to the first embodiment of the present invention, a part of the sheet body

10, which comprises the plurality of plastic sheets 12, 13 and 14 and the plurality of coating sheets 11 and 15, is cut to form a cut part having a predetermined shape. Thereafter, a decoration 30 is securely attached to the cut part 19 through an implanting technique, so that the integration force of the decoration 30 relative to the sheet body 10 is increased compared to a conventional attaching technique using an adhesive agent.

[54] Further, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the decoration 30 is securely fastened to the sheet body 10 using the locking members 50, such as rivets or set screws, so that the decoration 30 can be easily removed from the credit card when necessary. Thus, the present invention is advantageous in that, when it is required to change a broken or surfeited decoration 30 with a new one, the change of the decoration 30 with a new one can be easily and quickly accomplished.

[55] In the above description, the first embodiment of the present invention has been described in such a way that a side of a sheet body, constituting a credit card, is cut to form a cut part having a predetermined shape and, thereafter, a decoration is fitted into the cut part, thus accomplishing a firm combination of the decoration with the sheet body. However, when the decoration is required to be located in a central area inside the sheet body, it is almost impossible to combine the decoration with the sheet body through the above-mentioned combination process. Therefore, to locate a decoration in a central area inside a sheet body of a credit card, it is required to provide another structure, which can accomplish an easy and firm combination of the decoration with the central area of the sheet body.

[56] FIGS. 8 through 10 are views illustrating the construction of a credit card combined with a decoration according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the decoration is located in a central area inside a sheet body of the credit card.

[57] As shown in FIGS. 8 through 10, the construction of the second embodiment of the present invention remains the same as that of the first embodiment except for the construction, in which, to locate the decoration 30 in the central area inside the sheet body 10 of a credit card, the central area of the sheet body 10 is punched to form a punched part (not shown) and the decoration 30 is configured as an upper and lower divided structure so as to be combined with the punched part formed in the central area. Thus, hereinbelow, only the construction of the second embodiment that is different from the first embodiment will be described and the same construction as that of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same technical terms and carry the same reference numerals, and further explanation thereof will be omitted.

[58] As shown in FIGS. 8 through 10, in the process of producing the sheet body 10 through thermal compression, the central area of the multi-layered structure, comprising the plastic sheets 12, 13 and 14 and the coating sheets 11 and 15, is punched to form a punched part having a predetermined shape. A locking piece 40 for locking a decoration 30 to the sheet body 10 is provided in the punched part such that the locking piece 40 is partially exposed outside the punched edge of the punched part.

[59] In the process of combining the sheets 11, 12 and 13 with each other through a thermal compressing process or a welding (spot welding or brazing) process so as to produce a sheet body 10 in the same manner as that described for the first embodiment, the locking piece 40 can be thermally and securely combined with the plastic sheets 11, 12 and 13 because it is partially interposed between the sheets 12, 13 and 14. In the above state, the unexposed part of the locking piece 40, which is in contact with the sheets 12, 13 and 14, is preferably provided with a plurality of integration holes 42 therein, so that the heated plastic sheets 12, 13 and 14 can be partially introduced into the integration holes 42 during the thermal compression of the sheets, thus accomplishing a secure and stable integration of the locking piece 40 with the sheets. Further, the exposed part of the locking piece 40, which is exposed outside the punched edge of the punched part, is provided with a plurality of locking holes 41 spaced out at regular intervals.

[60] The decoration 30 is configured to have a distinct appearance with both a predetermined thickness and a predetermined size corresponding to those of the punched part. Described in detail, unlike the first embodiment, the decoration 30 according to the second embodiment is divided into upper and lower decoration parts 30a and 30b. The upper decoration part 30a is provided on the lower surface thereof with a boss having a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the locking piece 40. A flange 31a is formed along the edge of the upper decoration part 30a. Thus, when the upper and lower decoration parts 30a and 30b are combined with each other to form a decoration 30, a locking groove (not shown), which is engaged with the locking piece 40, is defined along the edge of the decoration 30 by the flange 31a.

[61] Further, each of the upper and lower decoration parts 30a and 30b of the decoration

30 is provided with a plurality of locking holes 32 along the edge thereof. The locking holes 32 are spaced out at the same regular intervals as those of the locking holes 41 of the locking piece 40. Thus, after the upper and lower decoration parts 30a and 30b are located at upper and lower positions while being brought into close contact with each other in a state in which the locking piece 40 is interposed between the upper and lower decoration parts 30a and 30b and the corresponding locking holes 32 and 41 are aligned with each other, a plurality of locking members 50 are inserted into the aligned locking holes 32 and 41 of the decoration 30 and the locking piece 40 and fasten the decoration 30 to the locking piece 40. Thus, the decoration 30 can be securely fastened to the sheet body 10.

[62] In the second embodiment, the locking members 50 are preferably selected from rivets and set screws, having a shank length corresponding to the thickness of the sheet body 10, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. However, it should be understood that nuts and bolts or another locking means may be used as the locking members in the invention.

[63] The second embodiment having the above-mentioned construction achieves the same effect as that of the first embodiment. Further, because the decoration 30 has the upper and lower divided structure, the second embodiment can be preferably adapted when the decoration 30 is required to be located in the central area of the sheet body 10, in addition to a side of the sheet body 10 in the same manner as that of the first embodiment.

[64] In other words, unlike the first embodiment, the application of which is limited to a side of a sheet body 10 due to the locking structure thereof, the second embodiment, in which the decoration 30 comprises an upper and lower divided structure, can be preferably adapted to a case, in which a decoration 30 must be fastened to a punched part that is formed in a central area of the sheet body 10 into a predetermined shape.

[65] In the first and second embodiments, the locking piece, which is partially exposed outside a cut or punched edge of a sheet body of a credit card and is used for combining a decoration with a cut or punched part of the sheet body, is thermally attached to a plurality of plastic sheets in a state in which the locking piece is partially interposed between the plastic sheets before a thermal compressing process of combining the plastic sheets into the sheet body. However, as shown in FIGS. 11 and

12 illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention, the locking piece 40 may be formed as an integrated structure by making the width of the cut part formed in the middle sheet 13 among the plurality of plastic sheets 12, 13 and 14 be smaller than the others.

[66] Described in detail, when the plurality of plastic sheets 12, 13 and 14 and the coating sheets 11 and 15 are thermally integrated into a single structure in a state in which the width Wl of the cut part formed in the middle sheet 13 among the plurality of plastic sheets 12, 13 and 14 is configured to be smaller than the widths W2 of the other sheets 12 and 14, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the cut edge of the middle sheet

13 can be exposed outside the cut part 19 having a predetermined shape. In the above state, a locking piece 40 is defined by the exposed cut edge of the middle sheet 13, so that the locking piece 40 has an integrated structure. The combination of a decoration 30 with the cut part of the sheet body using the integrated locking piece 40 can be executed through the same process as those described for the above first and second embodiments.

[67] Unlike the first and second embodiments, the locking piece 40 according to the third embodiment is integrally extended from the sheet body 10 and is exposed outside the cut or punched edge by making the width of the cut or punched part of the middle sheet 13 be different from the widths of the cut or punched parts of the other sheets 12 and 14 during the process of producing the sheet body 10. Thus, the third embodiment does not require a separate locking piece unlike the first and second embodiments, so that the third embodiment can reduce the number of elements of the credit card and can simplify the producing process of the credit card, compared to the first and second embodiments. Thus, the third embodiment can improve productivity of credit cards.

[68] FIGS. 13 and 14 are views illustrating a locking structure used for combining a decoration with a sheet body of a credit card according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Unlike the third embodiment, in the fourth embodiment, the width W3 of the cut part formed in the middle sheet 13 among the plurality of plastic sheets 12, 13 and 14 is configured to be larger than the widths W4 of the other sheets 12 and 14. Thus, when the plurality of plastic sheets 12, 13 and 14 and the coating sheets 11 and 15 are thermally integrated into a single structure, a locking groove 45 is defined along the cut edge of the cut part 19 of the middle sheet 13, as shown in FIG. 14. Further, a locking piece 35 is integrally formed along the edge of the decoration 30, which is configured to have a predetermined shape corresponding to the shape of the cut part 19, such that the locking piece 35 can be slidably engaged with the locking groove 45 of the sheet body 10.

[69] Unlike the first and second embodiments, the locking groove 45 according to the fourth embodiment is integrally formed along the cut edge of the sheet body 10 by making the width of the cut part of the middle sheet be different from the widths of the cut parts of the other sheets 12 and 14 during the process of producing the sheet body 10. Further, the locking piece to be engaged with the locking groove of the sheet body is integrally formed along the edge of the decoration. Thus, the fourth embodiment does not require a separate locking piece unlike the first and second embodiments, so that the third embodiment can reduce the number of elements of the credit card and can simplify the producing process of the credit card, compared to the first and second embodiments. Therefore, the fourth embodiment can improve productivity of credit cards.

[70] As another embodiment of the present invention, although it is not shown in the accompanying drawings, the decoration may be combined with the sheet body through welding, such as electric resistance welding or laser welding, without using locking members unlike the first to fourth embodiments. It is of course that the above- mentioned construction is included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[71] To combine a decoration with a sheet body through electric resistance welding as described above, the locking piece of the cut part of the sheet body is engaged with the locking groove of the decoration (referred to both FIG. 1 and the description thereof) such that the decoration can be temporarily combined with the sheet body. In the above state, a current flows in the contact part between the locking piece of the sheet body and the decoration, so that the contact part between the locking piece and the decoration is locally heated by electric resistance both. Thus, the decoration can be combined with the locking piece of the sheet body.

[72] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the decoration can be combined with the cut part of the sheet body through welding, such as electric resistance welding or laser welding, so that the embodiment may not require locking members or locking holes, unlike the other embodiments. Thus, the embodiment can reduce the production cost of credit cards and is preferably adapted to mass production of credit cards.

[73] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] A credit card combined with decorations, comprising: a plurality of sheets (12, 13 and 14) made of a plastic or metal material and sequentially layered to form a multi-layered structure; transparent coating sheets (11 and 15) having a size capable of covering the sheets (12, 13 and 14) and respectively placed on and below the multi-layered sheets (12, 13 and 14) and thermally attached thereto, wherein parts of the sheets (12, 13 and 14) and the coating sheets (11 and 15) are cut to form a cut part (19) having a predetermined shape; a locking piece (40) thermally integrated with both the sheets (12, 13 and 14) and the coating sheets (11 and 15) such that the locking piece is partially interposed between the sheets (12 and 13) at a location around the cut part (19) and a remaining part of the locking piece is exposed outside cut edges of the sheets, thereby being locked to a junction between the sheets (12 and 13); and a decoration (30) configured to have a predetermined shape corresponding to the shape of the cut part (19) and provided with a locking groove (31) along an edge thereof so as to be slidably engaged with the locking piece (40).

[2] The credit card combined with decorations according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of locking holes (32, 41) formed in each of the decoration (30) and the locking piece (40) such that the locking holes are spaced out at regular intervals; and a locking member (50) inserted into aligned locking holes (32 and 41) of the decoration (30) and the locking piece (40) in a state in which the decoration (30) is engaged with the locking piece (40) such that corresponding locking holes (32 and 41) are aligned with each other, so that the locking member (50) fastens the decoration (30) to the locking piece (40).

[3] The credit card combined with decorations according to claim 2, wherein the locking member (50) is a rivet or a set screw.

[4] The credit card combined with decorations according to claim 2, wherein contact parts between the locking piece (40) and the decoration (30) are combined with each other through electric resistance welding, in which a current flows in the contact parts in a state in which the decoration is engaged with the locking piece, so that the contact parts can be combined with each other by electric resistance, or through laser welding.

[5] A credit card combined with decorations, comprising: a plurality of sheets (12, 13 and 14) made of a plastic or metal material and se- quentially layered to form a multi-layered structure; transparent coating sheets (11 and 15) having a size capable of covering the sheets (12, 13 and 14) and respectively placed on and below the multi-layered sheets (12, 13 and 14) and thermally attached thereto, wherein central areas of the sheets (12, 13 and 14) and the coating sheets (11 and 15) are punched to form a punched part having a predetermined shape; a locking piece (40) thermally integrated with both the sheets (12, 13 and 14) and the coating sheets (11 and 15) such that the locking piece is partially interposed between the sheets (12 and 13) at a location around the punched part and a remaining part of the locking piece is exposed outside punched edges of the sheets, thereby being locked to a junction between the sheets (12 and 13); and a decoration (30) configured to have a predetermined shape corresponding to the shape of the punched part and divided into upper and lower decoration parts (30a and 30b), with a flange (31a) formed along an edge of the upper decoration part (30a) so that, when the upper and lower decoration parts (30a and 30b) are brought into contact with each other, a locking groove, which is engaged with the locking piece (40), is defined along the edge by the flange (31a).

[6] The credit card combined with decorations according to claim 5, further comprising: a plurality of locking holes (32, 41) formed in each of the upper and lower decoration parts (30a and 30b) of the decoration (30) and the locking piece (40) such that the locking holes are spaced out at regular intervals; and a locking member (50) inserted into aligned locking holes (32 and 41) of the decoration (30) and the locking piece (40) in a state in which the upper and lower decoration parts (30a and 30b) of the decoration (30) are placed such that the locking piece (40) is interposed between the upper and lower decoration parts and corresponding locking holes (32 and 41) are aligned with each other, so that the locking member (50) fastens the decoration (30) to the locking piece (40).

[7] The credit card combined with decorations according to claim 6, wherein the locking member (50) is a rivet or a set screw.

[8] The credit card combined with decorations according to claim 5, wherein contact parts between the locking piece (40) and the decoration (30) are combined with each other through electric resistance welding, in which a current flows in the contact parts in a state in which the upper and lower decoration parts of the decoration are engaged with the locking piece, so that the contact parts can be combined with each other by electric resistance.

[9] A credit card combined with decorations, comprising: a plurality of sheets (12, 13 and 14) made of a plastic or metal material and se- quentially layered to form a multi-layered structure; transparent coating sheets (11 and 15) having a size capable of covering the sheets (12, 13 and 14) and respectively placed on and below the multi-layered sheets (12, 13 and 14) and thermally attached thereto, wherein parts of the sheets (12, 13 and 14) and the coating sheets (11 and 15) are cut to form a cut part (19) having a predetermined shape; a locking piece (40) exposed outside a cut edge of the cut part (19), when the plurality of sheets (12, 13 and 14) and the coating sheets (11 and 15) are thermally integrated with each other, by making a width of the cut part formed in the middle sheet (13) among the plurality of sheets (12, 13 and 14) is configured to be smaller than widths of the cut parts of the other sheets (12 and 14); and a decoration (30) configured to have a predetermined shape corresponding to the shape of the cut part (19) and provided with a locking groove (31) along an edge thereof so as to be slidably engaged with the locking piece (40).

[10] The credit card combined with decorations according to claim 9, further comprising: a plurality of locking holes (32, 41) formed in each of the decoration (30) and the locking piece (40) such that the locking holes are spaced out at regular intervals; and a locking member (50) inserted into aligned locking holes (32 and 41) of the decoration (30) and the locking piece (40) in a state in which the decoration (30) is engaged with the locking piece (40) such that corresponding locking holes (32 and 41) are aligned with each other, so that the locking member (50) fastens the decoration (30) to the locking piece (40).

[11] The credit card combined with decorations according to claim 10, wherein the locking member (50) is a rivet or a set screw.

[12] The credit card combined with decorations according to claim 9, wherein contact parts between the locking piece (40) and the decoration (30) are combined with each other through electric resistance welding, in which a current flows in the contact parts in a state in which the decoration is engaged with the locking piece, so that the contact parts can be combined with each other by electric resistance, or through laser welding.

[13] A credit card combined with decorations, comprising: a plurality of sheets (12, 13 and 14) made of a plastic or metal material and sequentially layered to form a multi-layered structure; transparent coating sheets (11 and 15) having a size capable of covering the sheets (12, 13 and 14) and respectively placed on and below the multi-layered sheets (12, 13 and 14) and thermally attached thereto, wherein parts of the sheets (12, 13 and 14) and the coating sheets (11 and 15) are cut to form a cut part (19) having a predetermined shape; a locking groove (45) defined along a cut edge of the cut part (19), when the plurality of sheets (12, 13 and 14) and the coating sheets (11 and 15) are thermally integrated with each other, by making a width of the cut part formed in the middle sheet (13) among the plurality of sheets (12, 13 and 14) is configured to be larger than widths of the cut parts of the other sheets (12 and 14); and a decoration (30) configured to have a predetermined shape corresponding to the shape of the cut part (19) and provided with a locking piece (35) along an edge thereof so as to be slidably engaged with the locking groove (45).

[14] The credit card combined with decorations according to claim 13, further comprising: a plurality of locking holes (32, 41) formed in each of the locking piece (35) and the sheets (12 and 14) placed above and below the locking groove (45) such that the locking holes are spaced out at regular intervals; and a locking member (50) inserted into aligned locking holes (32 and 41) of the locking piece (35) and the sheets (12 and 14) placed above and below the locking groove (45) in a state in which the decoration (30) is engaged with the locking groove (45) such that corresponding locking holes (32 and 41) are aligned with each other, so that the locking member (50) fastens the decoration (30) to the cut part (19).

[15] The credit card combined with decorations according to claim 14, wherein the locking member (50) is a rivet or a set screw.

[16] The credit card combined with decorations according to claim 13, wherein contact parts between the locking groove (45) and the locking piece (35) are combined with each other through electric resistance welding, in which a current flows in the contact parts in a state in which the decoration (30) is engaged with the cut part (19) using the locking groove (45), so that the contact parts can be combined with each other by electric resistance, or through laser welding.

[17] The credit card combined with decorations according to any one of claims 1 through 16, further comprising: a jewel (33) combined with the decoration (30).