CA1101554A - Credit card carriers, apparatus and methods - Google Patents

Abstract

A B S T R A C T

Single-sheet, multi-panel carriers for receiving and retaining credit cards during credit card issue and mailing procedures. Cards may be inserted in the carriers manually or by machine. Plural carrier forms are preferably provided in a continuous fan-folded web, and individual carriers are separable therefrom at perforations between subsequent and/or adjacent carriers. Apertures for pin drive or indexing mechanisms may be provided, optionally in removable strips along one or more margins of the carrier. The carriers have special slits or slots for retaining one to four cards singly, or double that in a piggy-back manner, in vertical or horizontal configura-tions. Carriers also have a plurality of panels which assist in retaining the cards by wedge trapping during manual or machine issue processing (inserting, collating, verification and stuffing) and mailing operations. Carriers also carry verification and/or identification information thereon relating to the account, e.g., name, number of cards, account(s) number(s), credit limit, address, debit usage criteria, and the like, in one or more forms which may be read visually, electro-optically, mechanically, optically, electromechanically, magnetically and/or electronically. Carriers are specially adapted for pro-duction by sheet-fed glued, or roll-to-fold, high-speed web printing procedure One and two-wide carrier form sets are disclosed. Imprinting of verification and/or identification indicia may be done by any impact or non-impact pro-cedures, e.g., drum, line, or computer-controlled, non-impact, spray-type printers. Tear-out, wallet-sized loss or ID cards are also provided in one embodiment of the carriers. Apparatus for automated scanning of credit cards and carriers, comparing information thereon and inserting the proper number of cards in the proper carrier, folding the carrier, pulling bad accounts, and stuffing in mailing envelopes. Methods of producing the carriers, inserting cards, folding, pulling and stuffing also disclosed.

Description

This application is a divisional of copending Canadian Patent Application Serial No. 261,~45 filed September 17, 1976 in the name of Dynetics Engineering Corp.
This invention relates to special preprinted "credit"-type card carrier forms, apparatus for automated insertion, foldingJ pulling and stuff-ing, and methods of production and manual or automated use thereof. More particularlyJ this invention relates to single-sheetJ multiple-flap credit card carriers having slits or slots in one or more panels for receiving and retaining by wedge trapping credit cards during manual or automated procedures of issue and mailing of the cards to card users. Special information is provided on the carrier to insure that the appropriate number of correctly matched cards are inserted in their appropriate carrier, and for manual or automated "pulls" after insertion.
In the United States there were about 500 million credit cards in circulation in 1974, and an additional 200 million were issued that year on new accounts or to cover maintenance (renewal~. These numbers do not include the emerging debit card field ~for bank or S~L account access), nor the ID
and security card fields~
Such cards ~called herein "credit cards" for simplicity) being equivalent to or providing access to money, property or credit, must be handled with accuracy under stringent security during issue of the cards, i.e., manufacturing, preparing or distributionJ and actual distribution ~e.g., by mailing) to the cardholder-customer. The correct number of cards must be correctly embossed and/or encoded with the cardholder's account number and other data. The embossed cards must be protected ~rom theft until they are in the hands of the cardholders.
The preparation for distribution of the cards must likewise be done .' :

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accurately under stringent security precautions. The cards are normally placed in what is called a carrier and mailecl (first-clas-s registered or certified mail) to the cardholders. Advance notice and/or follow-up verifi-cation mailings may also be used to help insure against theft or notify promptly of non-receipt by the addressee-card user.
It is an extremely serious matter when the wrong cardholder receives the wrong card or wrong number of cards. If a cardholder is supposed to get two or three cards and receives only one, or if a cardholder receives a card of another account, there is a chance for theft of goods by credit cards.
The average loss is in the four-figure range with highest losses in five figures. The matter is even more serious in the case of debit cards. Such cards give access to a person's checking and/or saving account. Cards going ~o the wrong person creates a theft potential. This highlights the need for carrier forms and manual or machine methods of accurate inserting and prepara-tion for distribution.
Currently, carriers for cards are typically heavy paper stock having two or four straight, diagonally oriented, separated slits rO hold t~o or four corners of the cards. Most cardholding carriers are single sheets of card stock slightly smaller than number 9 or 10 envelope size so that they can be insertad in a mailing envelope. Pocket-type carriers are made of two sheets of paper glued or secured together to provide a pocket therebetween.
A slit in the upper sheet for access to the pocket may be provided, or access may be at the sheet edges. Other currently used carriers may be single sheets having a single fold to provide two flaps of slightly smaller than envelope size; these are commonly used in carriers having two diagonal slits in one of the flaps. A few current carriers have a second fold to provide a third flap, and some of these have no slits for retaining the cards. Some carriers (no ~ ' ' ' ' ".

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longer in extensive use) employed pressure-sensitiye glue or tape to securc tlle cards thereto.
TypicalLy, currently availa~le carriers ~ave space for two cards oriented horizontally, that is, with the long axis of the card oriented parallel to the printing and/or long axis of the carrier ~as folded for mail-ing). Simple, single-flap carriers are relatively inexpensive, running around $10-30/thousand, while the multi-layer, pocket-type carriers are very expen-sive, running $35-80/thousand.
Most cards are inserted manually in the two-slit, no-slit or pocket carriers. There are two basic approaches. In one, the person inserting the card has a stack of precut, single-sheet carriers having no account informa-tion thereon, and a stack of presequenced cards. They also have a stark of separate sheets of thin paper which are presequenced mailers with address and account information. The inserter compares the account number on the card to that on the separate mailer. The cards are inserted by hand into the slits or pockets of the carrierl assembled with the mailer, and then placed in envelopes. The second approach involves having account information typed onto the individual carriers which are presequenced and assembled with pre-sequenced cards. A top-rated inserter is capable of inserting 1,500 accounts in an 8-hour day with an average of 1.7 cards per account. The average accept-able rate is generally 1,000 accounts per day, and low is 750/day.
Correct presequencing of the cards and carriers or inserts is critical to any reasonable rate of manual lnsertion and to reducing the fre-quency of mismatch errors. Further, such manual insertion rates require many workers in order -to keep up with the rate of production of credit or debit cards. For example, automated embossing machines have a current card emboss-ing rate ranging from 350 to 1,500 cards/hour. The rates are the same for - . : ~ , .

~ ' . ': . '' ,: .', si~ :
:
encoding cards bearirlg magnetic stripes.
~e believe there is a machine available that can insert a card in a four-slit carrier by flcxing the card along both its major and minor axis so the four corners can be popped into four respective corner slits. An-other machine is capable of putting a clab of glue on the carrier and deposit-ing the card thereon. ~lowever, neither machine matches the cards and carriers, so mismatch errors will occur unless exact sequencing is maintained. In automated equipment of this non-verifying type, once a sequence error occurs, all subsequent insertions will continue to be mismatched.
Current hand and machine inserting depends on the accurate pre-sequencing of the cards and mailers or carriers. Further, where cardholders are to receive three cards, a second carrier must be used or the cards must ~e piggy-backed. Carriers have positions for either one or two cards held in ;
horizontal orientation. For issues having mcre than two cards, the cards are stacked or placed piggy-back in one or both positions. Generally, no more than two cards are piggy-backed in any one position allowing a maximum of four cards in a two-position carrier.
The current carriers render methods of inserting relatively slow and prone to errors. The~ are not particularly adaptable to both hand and machine inserting, folding and stuffing, and normally require separate address inserts. There is thus a need for improved credit card carriers that are simple, rapid and inexpensive to manufacture, to preprint with account and verification information, and which are useful for manual or machine in-serting. The instant carrier satisfies those needs and is particularly adapt-ed to automated mechanical vertification and insertion of credit cards in the apparatus and method shown and described herein.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for the automatic verifi_ation and retentive engagement of credit cards in association wi.th carriers therefor.
~ ccording to one broad aspect of the present inventionJ there is provided method of automatic verification and insertion of credit cards in carriers therefor comprising the steps of:
(a) providing carriers adapted to retain credit cards in .
association therewith, (b) providing credit cards having thereon machine readable infor-mation uniquely identifying a cardholder or account, (c) inserting the correct number of credit cards into each saidcarrier in accordance with information on the number of cards authorized for said cardholder or account, (d) identifying said carrier with information uniquely identify-ing the cardholder or account cards insertcd therein.
According to another broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for automatic verification and retentive engagement of !

credit cards in association with carriers therefor comprising:
a) means for providing carriers adapted to retain credit cards in association therewith;
b) means for providing credit cards having thereon machine read-able information uniquely identifying a cardholder or account; .
c) means for retainingly engaging the correct number of credit .
cards into association with each said ca.rrier in accordance with information on the number of cards authorized for said cardholder or accounts; and d) means for identifying said carrier with information uniquely , :

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identifying the cardholder or account.
The present invention, together with that of Canadian Application Serial No. 261,~45, will IIOW be described in greater detaîl with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure l is a plan view of the front 6ide of a two-wide carrier web as printed by a line printer, also showing separation into an "L" and a "R" stream for fan-folding and removal of the sprocket drive marginal por-tions;
Figure 2 is a plan view~ partly in section of one embodiment of a special carrier of this invention having cards inserted therein, and -~
showing the location and arrangement of one embodiment of a machine-scannable code on the carrier which provides information on the account and number of cards;
Figure 3 is a plan view of a l-up web of ca.rriers adapted for printing by a drum printer, and hav m g various optional types of card sl Cs :' f ~ ~
- 5a -;4 or slots in the ~ panel and an optional tab on the C panel;
Figure 4 is a plan view of a portion of another carrier embodiment showing an alternate positioning of the machine-readable carrier code, and A
panel slits for receiving four retail-type cards in a vertical orientation;
Figure 5 is a plan view of a portion of another carrier embodiment showing a single line code arrangement, and slits in the A panel for receiving single or piggy-~ack cards in a horizontal (transverse) orientation;
Figure 6 is a highly simplified, partly schematic overview of an apparatus and method for mechanica]. insertion and folding of cards in the special carriers of this invention;
Figure 7 is a plan view of another carrier embodiment having tear-out wallet cards for individual cardholders of the same group;
Figure 8 is a plan view of the preferred carrier embodiment of this invention showing the cri~ical location, spacing and dimenslons for 3 panel carriers having three pockets for standard credit-sized cards;
~igure 9 is a schematic diagram of the method of producing carriers in accord with the invention.
The invention includes continuous and single-sheet~ plural-cardholding, multi-panel ~or flap) credit card carriers, their method of manu~
facture and use, and apparatus and method for verification and insertion of cards in the carrier. The carriers are used for retaining the cards during certain credit card issue proceduresJ includlng mailing to the cardholders. ~.;
A first marginal panel, the A panel, contains from one ~io four specially - ~
designed slits for receiving the cards by manual or automated insertion, in ~ :
ver~ical (preferred) or horizontal orientation. The cards may be inserted sequentially or sirnultaneously, singly or piggy-backed (two or more in a single slit). The A panel cooperates upon folding along internal perf lines . , \ - .

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with a central B p~nel and a second Marginal panel, the C panel, to retain the cards by wedge trapping without loss or misalignment (cocking) during handling and mailing.
The A panel contains special positions thereon for receiving and carrying information relating to the account which may be read visually by manual inserters or by checker-operators, or may be read automatically by mechanical, optical, electromechanical, electro-optical, magnetic and/or electronic scanner means to provide information during automated insertion or thereafter, e.g., stuffing or pulling operations. Typically, the information is in the form of alphabetic, numeric or optical characters ~e.g., I-bar code) or mag stripes and contains information about the account, the card issue, number of cards to be placed in the particular carrier, and the like.
Account indicia, for example,;may be numeric and positioned adjacent to an internal perforation ~carrier form fold line~ so that account numbers may be presented for visual scanning when the carriers are completely inserted, fold-ed and stacked ready for insertion into mail mg envelopes.
The C panel contains speclal positions thereon~for receiving and carrying other account information that may be in any of the modes described abo~e for the A panel. Typically, the information is m the form of alphabetic and numeric indicia, for example, name and address of cardholder, account n~ber, number or cards~ credit limlt and the like. The address indicia is specially positioned for juxtaposition ~ith a window in standard or special window-type mailing envelopes.
The carriers may be printed with informational, instructional, contractual or advertising information on one or both sides. The completed carrier, in the folded fvrm with cards inserted, is slightly smaller than standard "long" mailing envelopes, i.e., 3 1/2" wide x 8.~" long (8.89 cm ~3~
.

x 21.3~ cm) and is adapted for manual or automatcd stuffing into such mailing envelopes. In one embodiment, thc ~ panel is perforated to provide rom one to four wallet-sizcd or postal-sized cards. Special information for the cardholder may be printed in special areas of the cards, for example, all the information required for loss notification.
The carriers are produced by a multi-step process, broadly broken down in two stages: Stage 1 is production of blank carriers or carrier webs in continuous form or single sheets. Stage 2 involves printing of the individual issue and account information by data processing equipment to ready the carriers for card insertion, folding, pulling and stuffing into mailing envelopes.
Typically in Stage 1, suitable sheet material, such as paper of weight ranging from 15-45 lbs and gauge of .002" to .010", is provided in pre-determined widths to produce one- or two-wide carrler forms. Producing con-tinuous forms from a weh roll of paper stock is preferred, but single sheet printing may be employed. The sheet material or web is printed in any suitable manner, preferably by conventional lithographing techniques, with preselected indicia of an instructional~ informational, contractual and/or advertising nature on one side (preferred~ or both sides in single or muleiple colors. Selected areas of a first~ face side of the form remain unprinted to receive thereon special in~ormation provided at a later step. The web advances to perforating stations where the web is perforated parallel to the web travel with perforation wheels, and across ~transverse) to the sheets or web travel by cylinder or drum perforating knives. Special slots are also cut through the web or sheets to receive credit cards. -The perforations provided are of two types: lhe first is called the "internal perf" (internal with respect to the carrier). Two internal perfs are provided in each form to clefirle therein the -three carrier panels.
Ihe carrier panels In~y be folded along these perfs. The second is called tlle burst or fold perf. Ihis perforation permits fan folding of the web of forms and separa~ion of individual carriers Erom the web or sheets, or sets of two-wi~e carrier forms into two separate single ones or trains of carriers.
The web or sheets optionally may also be perEorated along a line or lines spaced from one or more margins to provide a strip which is punched with holes adapted to receive web or carrier advancing means, such as a tractor, sprocket or pin drive mechanism. There perfs are of a type which permits the strip to be removable prior to stuffing the carrier into mailing envelopes. These drive strip-defining perfs may be omitted with the drive holes remaining in the finished carrier. Drive holes may be omitted where the carrier is to be manually inserted and stuffed with a mailer piece. The pin drive holes may be punched into the marginal edges of the carrier forms without marginai perf lines definine a removable drive strip.
The carriers may be fan folded along the second perf lines (called burst/fold lines~ and boxsd for shipment to data processing centers of the card issuer or service organization. Alternately the carrier web or sheets may be fed directly to the Stage 2 imprinting operations.
Alternate manners of handling the web or sheets are contemplated, such as bursting and stacking individual carrier forms for use, particularly manual insertion, or forming a roll of the completed carrier web. Individual sheets may be glued end to end to provide a roll or fan fold of carriers.
Where the web or sheets are produced two-wide, a center perf parallel to the outer margins defining therebetween the two carriers may be boned, slit or burst to form two sets, streams or trains of one-wide carrier forms, and these streams interleaved (an-folded together~, stacked, or rolled up together.

3~ 4 St~gc 2 imprinting involves a~pplylns individual account informa-tion to the front an~/or back face of the individual carrier forms, typically by data processing equipment such as impact (line or drulll) or non-impact printers. Such printers may be computer controlled and apply preselected in-formation about the accounts to individual carrier forms in the proper sequence. These printers may also apply machlne-readable code, such as I-bar code, variable space or variable width bar code, and the like to preselected portions of the carriers. These codes are positioned on the carriers to co-operate with read heads in automatic card inserting machines and to supply instructional (command) or veriication information to such machines.
In one embodiment, a special I-bar binary code presents informa-tion which identifies the number of cards to be inserted in the carrier, the card issue (run number), the issuer number, cardholder account number, spaces, and an end signature instruction. This carrier information is compared by the machine with information on the cards~ and command logic initiates mechanical insertion of the appropriate number of correctly matched cards in *heir appropriate carrier.
Prior, intermediate or subsequent steps, as required, of separating individual carriers from the web or sheets, strlpping, cutting or boning pin drive margins Erom the carriers, and folding carrier panels are done manually or by automation. The code information also permits last minute automated pulling of bad accounts after insertion and just before stuffing by permitting in-line or stack scanning of completed inserted/folded carriers to produce an up-dated issue. The up-dated issue of completed/folded carriers is then stuffed into ~ndow-type mailing en~elopes with the address indicia oriented for visual reading.
The instant verification and insertion system (VIS) apparatus and , ~

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method involves: scnsing information in or on cards (embossed, magnetic stripes, printed, punchecl, inlaid, pcrmancnt magnetic code embedded cards, and the like); ~eeding continuous carriers or single-sheet carriers into the VIS apparatus; in the case of continuous carriers, separating individual car-riers Eron~ the web; sensing information carried on the instant carriers;
comparing the information on the cards and carriers; automatically inserting the appropriate number of correctly matched cards ln the appropriate carrier;
and folding the carrler in a form ready for automated stuffing into mailing envelopes; pulling bad accounts after folding, and stuffing in mailing envelopes. Reject, pause and search mode;s of operatîon are provided.
Any mode of printing or applying the preselected information in Stages 1 and/or 2 may be employed. For example, non-impact printers, with or without computer control, of spray or other type operation may be advantage-ously employed in Stage 2. The information may be in any "language", such as standard letters or characters, or optically readable special font9 such as 7B ~ont, or OCR 1428 (IBM*), or may be electronically encoded in a magnetic stripe of material (e.g., iron oxide, chromium oxide or the like) app]ied to the carrier or carrier web in a preselected position. The information may~be in the form o punched apertures (Hollerith) in one or more carrier flaps, or embossings in the carrier sheet material.
I~ should be undcrstood that throughout, credit card is a shorthand reference to any type of card susceptible of being or requiring transporting or handling by a carrier, and includes by way of example credit cards, bank cards, debit cards, retail cards, identification cards, account cards, security cards, pass cards, key cards, photo ID cards, charge cards and the like.
The following detailed description is by way of illustration and not by way of limitation of the principles of the instant invention. In many * Trade mark - 11 -, of the dra~ gs hercin single figures are used to illustrate multiple embodi-ments for concise~ess and not as limiting the invention. While continuous forrns, strips or liebs are discussed in most detail herein, i~ should be under-stood that the principles of the invention apply to single sheet forms and their manner of use.
In Figure 1 a two wide (or two-up~ carrier form set 1 is shown, face or front side up. This form set comprises an 1. stream and an R stream (for Left and Right streams, respectively), so designated at the top of the form set. These two streams are defined on either side of a central (longi-tudinal) line of perforations 2. The forms or streams preferably have removable marginal strips 3 and 4, but they are not required as illustrated by carriers I and II (Figure 1). Carriers III and IV (Figure 1) are shown as having marginal strips ~also called drive strips) which are defined between side edges 5 and 6, respectively, and lines of perforations 7 and 8 spaced inwardly therefrom (with respect to the edges~. These marginal strips may contain any convenient type of apertures 9 which are adapted to be engaged by driving or guiding mechanisms during production or use of the carrier forms, e.g., by pin drives, tractor drives, pin chains, pin belts3 indexing mechan-isms, pin guides and the like. As shown in carrier forms II of Figure 1 and ;~
III of Figure 3, the drive, indexing or guide apertures 9' are spaced inwardly of the carrier margins 2, 12, 7 and 8, respectively. The drive strips 3, ~
are left on, or optionally may be separated from the form edges ll and 12 as shown at 13. The form sets are separated as at 10 along the central perf line 2, e.g., by slitting or boning with one or more rotary or fixed knife cutters, into continuous single (or one-up) carrier form streams L and R.
Four complete, individual carriers (carrier forms) are shown in Figure 1, being numbered I, II, III and IV, as shown. This numbering reflects . ": , , .

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the sequence of separation (burstillg~ of indivi~ual forms from the two-wide sets stream 1 during decollating, folding and inscrtion in the automated verification and insertion system devicc (VIS) of our above-identified co-pending applicatioll. The form sets of Figure l are fed face down as inter-leaved streams L and R into the VIS; hence the left carrier is separated first.
Figure 1 also illustrates several alternate embodiments, the first of which comprises a form set of two individual carriers I and II separated by perf line 2 but having narrower marginal edges 11 and 12 and no marginal drive strip. In a typical two~wide stream, the carriers would be alike, but are shown different for purposes of illustrative conciseness. Carrier I has no drive or indexing holes~ while carrier II shows drive holes 9' adjacent the margins. The carrier I embodiment is particularly useful for manual in-sertion of carrier forms, and for automated olding and/or insertion processes not requiring sprocket or p m drives, indexing mechanisms, or guides and the like. For example, automated devices can employ pinch rollers or belts for movement of the carriers which do not require the marginal strip. The carrier II embodiment is useful where there is no objection to cardholders receiving carriers with holes. While the carrier II embodiment is shown narrower than carrier III or IV; it should be understood that by omitting perf lines 7 and 8~ a wider form of carrier II is produced. The perf lines 7 and 8 are not absolutely required, as slitters or cutters can strip off a marginal strip from carriers III and IV without aid of those perf lines 7 and 8.
Still another alternate embodiment is illustrated by the carrier forms III and IV of Figure l ~with or without the marginal drive strips 3 and 4). This is a double carrier, in which the perf line 2 is replaced by a fold line 14. The old line is preferably an embossed groove to assist in folding, but may also be a line of perforatio~s spaced widely enougll apart to assist in ~o1ding but not so numerous to permit easc of sepQration of carrier III
from IV. The doublc carrier provide twice the number of card pockets, and a~ter insertion may be folded along line 14 to fit into a standard envelope.
Individual carrier forms comprise three panels extending between form margins 11 and 12, respectively (or drive strip perforation lines 7 and 8, respectively) and the central perf line 2 or fold line 14, as the case may be. These panels are designated as the "A", "B", and "C" panels, respective-ly, and each performs a separate and distinc~ function as well as being adapted to be cooperatingly interrelated in combination to provide the improv-ed properties of the ~orm. Viewing form I of Figure l, the "A" panel is shown . in this embodiment as defined between transverse stream burst/fold line 15 ;
and transverse form fold line 16. In this embodiment, panèl "A" has the smallest width (in the longitudinal direction) between perf line 15 and fold line 16, and-includes three specially designed and placed V-shaped slits I9 20 and 21, each for receiving one end of indivldual credit cards.
A note about terminology: Line lS is a line of perforations adapt-ed by approprlate cut and tie spacing to permit tearlng or bursting of ~he form, here form I, from the carrier stream, here stream L. The carrier stream is also foldable along line 15, e.g., when the carrier streams are fan folded singly or interleaved with stream R. Thus, with respect to the stream, line 15 is a stream fold line while at the same time, with respect to the carrier, is a burst line. These are called burst/fold lines. The same is true of perforated lines 18 and 22. In contrast, lines 16 and 17 are embossed, scored, or lightly perforated lines (internal perfs) along which panels of the individual forms are folded. These lines are thus fold lines with respect to the forms, and called form fold lines or internal perfs to distinguish them ' - 14 -.
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from the strc~n burst/~old lines. The dircction along the stream, from the bottom of Figure l to the top (or vice versa~ is called the longitudinal direction, or axial direction, or tlle clirection of stream travel during pro-d~lction. ~e direction o-f the stream burst/Eold and form fold lines ~internal perf.s) in Figure 1, at 90 to the longitudinal direction, is the transverse direction. Note, however, that in l:igure 3, the directions are reversed, that of the form fold lines being longitudinal and the stream burst/fold lines being transverse.
As described in more detail below, the "A" panel also has provided thereon visually readab].e or machine readable information means 23~ such as indicia 24, magnetic stripe 25 ~Figure 3), punched holes 26 ~Figure 3) and the like. The spacing and placement of these information means are important as discussed below.
The "B" panel is defined between form fold l m es ~lnternal perfs) 16 and 17. This panel is slightly wider .than the length or width of the credit card being received by the carrier depending on whether the card is held vertically or horizontally. For example, for a standard credit card of dimensions 3.375 x 2.125 inches ~8.573 x 5.398 cm) held vertically ~see Pigure

2 orientation o~ the card ~ith respect to the carrier), the "B" panel width ~distance between fold lines 16 and 17) is ~3.5 inches ~8.89 cm). For a standard card retained horizontally ~Figure 5), the "B" panel width is 2.250 inches ~5.715 cm~, while for a retail card retained vertically ~Figure 2), the width is 3.625 inches (9.21 cm). For the retail card retained horizontally, the "B" panel width is 1.844 inches ~4.683 cm). Generally,.the "B" panel is .125" wider than the relevant dimension of the card sought to be trapped.
This provides an excellent frictional wedge-trapping of the card in the fold, yet it is not so tight that folding is difficult.

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In anothc~ embodiment the panel also has tear-out wallet cards 79, 80, 81 such as shol~n in Figure 7 and described in more detail below. The "B" panel can be imprintecl with information-conveying indicia~ such as the cardllolder contract, lost and found information, advertlsing information, use instructions and the like. The panel width is adapted to securely wedge trap and grip the ends of the credit cards in carrier folds defined along form fold lines (internal perfs) 16 and 17 without binding the form stock.
Likewise, the "B" panel is not so much larger (wider) than the cards that they become canted or loose in the folded carrier and tear the slits permitting them to become lost or misplaced during carrier insertion or use.
Panel "C" (~igure 1~ is defined between form fold ~internal perf) 17 and the upper marginal edge of the form which is defined by stream burst/
fold line 18. This panel width is carefully designed to form a flap over the exposed portion of the credit card projecting from the retaining slits (see Figure 2), while selectively revealing all or a portion of the information means 2~ such as alphabetic and/or numeric indicia 24a and/or bar code 24b (shown by way of example as I-bar code in Figures 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7). The folded-over panel thus assists in retaining the card in the carrier during use while permitting visual or automated checking off at least a portion o the information 23 when the carriers are inserted, folded and stacked ready -for envelope stuffing, or for pre-stuffing pulling Typically, the width of the "C" panel for a standard credit card is 3 inches (7.62 cm) between form fold line 17 and stream burst/fold line 18. The "C" panel also typically carries address indicia 27 and account information indicia 28. Optionally, the indicia is positioned on the panel so as to be visible through the window of a stand-ard No. 9 or No. 10 envelope when the inserted/folded carrier is stuffed into such an envelope.

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~ igure 2 shows a single carrier I in the folded condition and having two standarcl credit cards 29, 30 inserted into pockets 19 and 20. In the embodiment shown, each limb of the slit 19a, l9b is inclined at an angle defined between the slit limb and a line parallel to the carrier end 15 and touciling the V-slit tongue 46, of between 5 and 45, preferably 10-20. The angle ~ as shown in Figurc 2 is 12. The spacing between the end of the slit 39 and the card margin 29a may range from .02 to .1" (.051 to .254 cm~ and is typically .062" (.157 cm) as shown in Figure 2.
A first end 31 of the card 30 is slipped into the V-shaped slit 20 and is trapped in the fold 16 of the "A" and "B" panels. The second end 32 of the credit card overlies the marginal portion 33 of the "A" panel lying be-tween the slits 19, 20, 21 and the edge 15 and is trapped in the fold 17 of the "C" and "B' panels. The upper marginal edge 18 of the "C" panel leaves the indicia 24a or 24b visible for verification of the carrier aft-er it is in the folded condition. Thus,~lt is possible to scan an entire stack of inserted/folded carriers to locate or verify any particular ones therein.
This is particularly useful in pulling or checking operations. Card accounts often must be terminated for a variety of reasons (poor credit9 theft, moving, etc.) just prior to issue. For current conventional insertion, it is not feasible to automatically locate the bad accounts and pull them prior ~o mail-ing. In the instant invention, it is possible using the indicia or code ~see 24b in Fig~lre 5) to scan ~visual or automated) the completed carriers just prior to stuffing and pull the bad accounts, or pulling after stuffing.
~he address indicia is positioned to lie adjacent to and be visible through the window of standard No. 9 or No. 10 mailing envelope, shown in phantom in Figure 2 as item 3~. Portions of the account information 28 may also be positioned adjacent to the window 34, if deslred, or alternately, one , - 17 -or Inore special ~indows 35 may be provided in the mailing envelope 36, both shown in pllantom lines in Figurc 2.
~ i~ure 3 ill-lstrates a one-up strcam of carrier forms orientèd at 90 to that of ~igure 1~ i.e., with the form fold lines (internal perfs) 16, 17 in the longitudinal direction ~from lcft to right in Figure 3). The stream fold/burst lines 15, 18, 22 are oriented transversely. This embodiment is particularly suited to drum or roll printing as distinct from line prlnting which is particularly suited to one- or two-wide form streams oriented as in Figure 1. Any type of printing the common and individual information on the forms may be used, whether impact or non-impact types of printing. The marginal strips 3, 4 may be omitted, or only one strip employed, as required, with or without drive holes 9, 9'.
Figure 3 also shows a number of card-retaining slit and slot varia-tlons. V-shaped slits oriented as in Figure 1 i~ith the V tip adjacent the carrier margin 8 are preferred. However, a reverse oriented V-shaped slit 37, called herein an "A" slit, may be employéd. The V slit is superior, and whlle we do not wish to be bound by theory, we believe that the presence of a lead-ing tongue or lip 46 assists in guiding the card into the slit if the cards are slightly misaligned during insertion. To assist in preventing tearing, the slit area may be reinforced, or the slit ends 38, 39 may terminate in a T
or a small aperture.
T effect insertion, the marginal area 33 of the "A" panel between the slit 19 and edge 8 may be depressed relative to the medial area 41 of the A panel lying between the slit 19 and fold line 16, and the card is then in-serted. The same is true for the A-slit. Slits 42, 43 and 44 in carrier II
of Figure 3 are respectively identified as a U-shaped, a W-shaped and an inverted U-shaped slit, Oval or rectangular slots 45, and straight slit 40 , .
, . : . , -.
' " ' ' ' ~3~

are shown in carrier 1. Figure 3 also sllows a marginal lip 47 in panel "C"
having marginal or leading edge 48 which is shorter than the slot opening.
The lip is tilUs adapted to be inserted into the slot, effecting a positive interlocking o~ the card into the folded carrier This flap or lip 47 may be of any shape adapted to providc the interlock, and may be used with any o~
the card slits or slots.
Figures 4 and 5 are plan views o~ folded carriers, partly in sec-tion showing alternate slit and card arrangements. Figure 4 shows a carrier having 4-slits 49, 50, 51, 52 specially adapted for retail~ cards 53, 54, 55, 56 held in the vertical orientation, i.e.J the long dimension of the card across the width of the "B" panel. The retail cards have dimensions of 3.50 x 1.8~ inches (6.35 x 4.683 cm) and thus, for fit the carrier of this inven-tion as shown. Since the B panel of Figure 4 lS longer than the B panel in a carrier for a standard credit card (Figure 2) the A and/or C panels may be made smaller in width (between respectlve carrler fold and stream burst lines), or the overall width of the carrier (ln the longitudinal direction in Figure 1, the transverse in Figure 3) may be increased. Special mailing envelopes to accommodate the increased width may be provided.
Figure 5 illustrates a two-slit carrier ~or standard credit cards.
The slits 57, 58 are dimensioned for the long axis of the standard card 29, 30. Also slit 5~ is shown as accepting a second card 59 carried piggy-back on card 30 to provide for a 3-card account. Card 29 could also be piggy-back-ed providing for a ~-card account. There is enough space between slits to provide for lengthening them. With longer slits, retail cards may be carried singly or piggy-backed in the horizontal orientation. The "B" panel is shorter than in carriers of Figures 1 and ~ to accommodate the horizontal orientation. Narrower envelopes may be provided, or the "C" panel enlarged , '' ~' ,: ' ~ ' , ~3~

to just short o:t tl~c width of a standard No. 9 envelope to project upwardly (in Figure 5) bcyoll~ the u~per edge 16 o:f the "~" yanel, as shown in phantom in Figure 5 as item 60. This insures thc inserted/folded carrier is properly oriented in the envelopc, so the address indicia is presented opposite the envelope windo~; no sI~ecial envelopes are required. In this alternate embodi~
ment some of the information means 23 ma.y be placed on or repeated on the projecting edge 60 of the "C" panel. For example, the code information 24b may be placed on the marginal edge of the "C" panel extension 60 for the location and identiflcation purposes described abov0.
Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 also illustrate another special feature of the invention. The information means 23 may include machine readable information 24b for use in automated printing, inserting, folding and/or envelope stuffing machines. The information may be presented or carried on the carriers as visua].ly readable indicia, or for reading by optical character recognition -~ype devices, or as magnetic s~ripes or bars which are electromagnetically and electronically encoded and read (see mag stripe 25 in Figure 3). The in-formation may also be presented as Hollerith type punches (see punches 26 in Figure 3), as bar codes readable by optical scanners (item 24b in Figures 2, `~
4, 5, 7 and 8), as embossings readable optically or by mechanical devices having sensing fingers, as OCR readable font (such as IBM 142~ in ASA si~es A, B or C), as OCR readable delta distance code ~like the universal product code found on grocery items~, as codes or indicia printed in fluorescent ink or struck from fluorescent ribbon and OCR readable under ultra-violet illumina-tion, as mark sense codes, as bars printed in magnetic ink or struck from magnetic ribbon and readable by electromagnetic readers, as visually or OCR
readable color bars, as magnetic ink or struck ribbon font readable by elec-tromagnetic readers (like MICR readable font on checks), and the like. By way ' '~
~ .
' ' '' , ' ' ' '" ' ' , .

.5~;~

of example, thc bar code form is shown llerein, but it should be understood that the principles oE thc invention ayply equall~ to the othcr ~orms mention-ed or contemplated.
Thc information means 23, and more particularly machine readable information 24b, may be placed on any panel, on a label disposed on a panel (see label 180 in Figure 3~, or on an envelope or label on an envelope. The information should be disposed in a position to be scanned visually or by the mechanical reading means of inserting, vertifying, pulling and/or stuffing devices. The information 24b is particularly suited to be disposed on a carrier panel ju~taposed opposite a special window in the envelope, e.g., window 35 (Figure 2), so that it is readable therethrough. This permits veri-fication (sealed envelope detection) and pulling of accounts even after stuff-ing in envelopes. In another embodiment, information 24b is printed in transparent fluorescent ink over the address indicia 27 and is readable under ultra-violet illumination through a standard envelope window, yet the code does not obscure the address and is not detectable by ordinary means.
The bar code specifically illustrated is I-bar code in Figures 1-3, 4, 5 and 8, and I-bar code in Figure 7, as ~hese are printable by standard printing devices, such as line printers, drum or roll printers, non-impact printers and the like. I-bar is preferred over l-bar code as the top and bottom crossbars assist in producing reject error messages (cross talk) if vertical line weave occurs. The code 24b is different for each carrier, and contains information which serves a plurality of functions including identifi-cation of the particular carrier as that of a particular account (person), instructions as to the number of cards to be inserted, the card number to be inserted for verification (matching) of cards being supplied, the issuer numbcr, issue nutnber, run number, series number, carrier sequence number, and : , -' ' , the like.
In ~igure 2 thc I-bar code is shown as disposed in four horizontal rows, in ~igure ~ as two sets of two rows, and in ~igure 5 as a single row.
This code is a binary code of Eour bits l, 2, 4 and 8, the bars in each row representing one bit value. Referring to Pigure 2, the uppermost row 61, each I represents a one, the next row below that 62 contains the twos bars, the ~hird row 63 contains the fours bars, and the bottom row 64 contains the eights bars. In ~igure 4 the rows are paired with a first pair ~o the left of a second pair, for example, the ones and twos rows 61, 62 to ~he right of the fours and eights rows 63, 6~. In the alternative, the ones and fours rows may be spaced to the left with twos and eights to the right. In short, any con-venient pattern of rows may be employed so long as the scanning device for reading the bar code is oriented appropriately:
l 4 , or l 2 , or 1 8 , or 8 2 , etc.
2 8 4 8 ~ 2 l 4 In Figure S the rows are spaced along a single line with the rows order illustrated being 1, 2, 4, 8; of course, any convenient sequence may~be employed: 1, 8, 2, 4; 4, 1, 8, 2, etc.
- Another form of s mgle line code th~t may be used is double fre-quency coherent phase encoding (an encoding technique developed by Aiken in 1954). The data is comprised o~ data and clocking bits together. An inter-mediate bit occurring between clocking bits signifies a "one", the absence of an intermediate bit between clocking bits signifles a "zero". Of course, other techniques of encoding, single or multiple line, may be employed.
The areas 65, 66, 67, 68 represent initial starting portions that scanner heads look at when the carrier is properly indexed into the automated card insertion/carrier ~oldi1~g apparatus. When the carrier and scanner heads i . ~ ~ ' . ' 5~
are moved relative to each other, e.g.~ in the direction shown by arrow 69 in Figures 2, 4 ~nd 5, the four binary bit rows are scanned simul~aneously.
In the alternat:ive, the rows may be scanned sequentially, if desired, by adaptations of the scanner head or controlling the carrier motion. For ex ample, a single scanner can scan the four rows on the carrier of Figure 5 in sequence as it moves from left to right (in ~igure 5) across the rows.
Vertical spacing of the rows is not particularly critical. Stand-ard vertical spacing of line printers is either 1/8 inches or 1/6 inches.
"I" symbols are preferre~l3 rather than plain vertical bars to detect vertical crosstalk. Only the center portion of the "I" bar is optically scanned;
therefore, vertical spacing drift into the row above or below results in a much longer dark pulse width producing a detectable error from the optical character reader with an alarm to notify the operator to correct the vertical alignment of the line printer.
Similar error detection has been designed into the system for hori-zontal spacing errors. For example, ln the four line bar code should one or more lines drift left or right, the phase of the four channels would be not synchronous. In the event the horizontal drift or error becomes so larg'e as to approach a full space (l/lO inch), the logic is arranged to require a binary code 11, 12 or 13 in the first digit, a binary code 14 in all blank digits, and a binary code 15 in the last digit space. It is obvious that these conditions would not be met, and the horizontal error would be immediate-ly detected. Of course, other unique logic arrangements can be used to detect misalignment errors due to faulty printer set up. For the ~1" bar code spacing shown, the printer can shift position ~.050". i.e., a half-space, yet the code is readable. Ability to accept carriers within such a latitude is an important aspect of the invention. ~hile all the embodiments of Figures 2, ~ 23 -~¢~
~ and 5 are suited to compute-r controlled line printing, that of r'igure 5 can be prillted the fastest as it is completed in one line.
The code sequences of indicia 2~a are important, and the binary I-bar code relresentation 24b of the indicia 2~a is specially adapted for the instant carrier invention. Code sequence 70 (see ~igure 2) has a number of subunits, some of wllich are optional. Unit 71 is the zip code of the account (cardholder). Unit 72 is conveniently the batch number of cards in that particular issue. Unit 72 may also be or include an issue number, a batch number, quantity number, process date (Julian day), or an issue and batch number, or an issue, batch, card or carrier sequence number depending on the number of digits and spaces. While shown as a three-digit number, it may be any number of digits to include the desired identification. Units 71 and 72 may be to the left of unit 73 as shown, or to the right of unit 78.
Unit 73 is the number of cards in the account, e.g., I to 3 in the ~ -example of ~igure 2 ~or l to 6 if piggy-backed)~, 1 to 8 in Figure 4 and 1 to ~ ;
12 for the double carrier III and IV of ~igure~l. An important aspect of this invention is the binary des1gnation of 11 for one card, 12 for 2 cards ~as shown in Figure 2), and 13 for 3 cards in the account. ~ere there are up to eight cards in a carrier (four retail card slits carrying two cards each in piggy-back configuration), the unit 73 may be 2 or 3 digits (spaces) wide for the appropriate binary code. Thus, binary 13 in the ~irst space followed by binary 13 in the second and binary 11 in the third indicates 7 cards total (3~3~ ; 13, 12, 10 (or 14) indicates S cards ~3+2~0), and the like. In normal binary code the values are 0 through 9, whereas in the present code the values are 1-10. In normal binary, nothing (no mark) in a space means zero. In the present codc, zero is an error and detectable as such in the present binary bar codo. ~or spaces between numbors or Ullits, a binary 14, i.e., a 2 bar plus 4 bar plus 8 bar is used in the instant code, and is detcctable as such.
There is no confusion between a zero and a space in the cocle of this in~ention.
Unit 74 is the number of the issuer, e.g., thc bank, savings and loan, company, etc. Unit 75 is the branch nwllber of the bank, factory number, type of account, state code or the like, as desired. Unit 76 is the account holder number. Unit 77 may be unused and provides Eor growth in the number of accounts, or may be used as a carrier sequence number, or the like. Unit 78 is a stop scan command number.
There are a maximum of 19 digits, including spaces, in a credit card account number. In the carriers of this invention we provide a minimum of twenty-one and a maximum of twenty-eight words, including spaces, in the field 73-78. Nineteen of these words correlate to the credit card account number, and one word is for an end sentinel (stop scan signal) 78. In the figures, one ~ord (position~ space, character or binary digit) has been provid-ed for the number of cards 73 for our minimum of 21. ~hen more than three cards are inserted in the carriers, up to two additional words are provided for the number of cards 73. Optionally, we provide one word for start scan and one for a parity check, for a total of twenty-five words in the field length.
In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1-3, 7 and 8, the distance between adjacent slit center lines is 2.8 inches ~7.112 cm) for standard credit cards (see Figllre 8). That is the scan path length since the carrier moves relative to the OCR 95 that length each time the carrier is indexed into insertion position. This permits expanding the field length to twenty-eight words to satisfy other functions, e.g., for sequence numbers, issue code numbers, batch numbers, and the like. Non-account information, such as 71, 72 (Figure 2) may lie to the right or left of the field 73-78.
Note also that the binary 1~ is a space in the I-bar code 24b, ,, -25-while the stop scan is a binary lS. rrllus, the binary representations of num-bers 1-9 are conventional, zero is binary 10, and 11-15 have special meaning as described above. Tllus, if an 11-15 appears in a number space due to printer misalignment of the bars, it is detected as an error signal. As seen in Figures 4 and 5, the zip code and issue or batch numbers may be omitted where desired Erom the indicia line 24a. The brackets 73-78 above the indicia 24a correlate to the brackets 73-78 below the I-bar code 24b7 and the I-bar code can be visually read if desired.
Figure 7 shows another embodiment of a carrier form in which the "B" panel contains a plurality of tear-out wallet cards 78, 80 and 81 which are defined between fold lines 16 and 17, the marginal edge 2, and tearable perforation lines 82, 83 and 84 spaced inwardly from the margin. While three cards are shown, to correlate with the number of cards issued to that account 73, there may be any des1red number of cards of smaller or larger slze, space permitting. For example, four cards slightly smaller in width may be spaced between margins 2 and 11l or the space above card 78 in the "C" panel may be used to provide additional cards.
Figure 7 also identifies line-by-line the printer layout for a debit or account-type card. The lines are numbered Ll through L26~along the ,0 left side in the figure for convenience in this description, but ordinarily would be omitted in carriers used in practice. The information on a line-by-line basis is: ~
Line 1: Name o-f card issuing bank, Line 2: Phone number of that bank to call if cardholder has a question about his or her card;
Line 3: Person to ask for when calling;
Line 4: Credit card account number, number of cards and credit limit;
Line 5: Savings account number;

.
.. , . ~
, , . . ; .; ~ :~

. ' '~ ~ -. ' ' ' ' .

.5S~
Line 6: Checking account number, machi~e cash withclrawal limit;
Line 7: Primary account holder name;
Line 8: Address line one;
Line 9: Addrcss line two;
Line 10: City, state, zip code;
Line 11: First name and middle initial on cardholders 1, 2 and 3;
Line 12: Credit card account number taccount #l);
I.ine 13: Savings account number ~account #2~;
Line 14: Checking account number (account #3);
Line 15: Withdrawal; the types of accounts from which that cardholder may withdraw;
Line 16: Deposits; the types of accounts into which that cardholder may make deposits;
Line 17: Transfers ~rom (out); the types of accounts between which that card-holder may transfer funds;
Line 18: Transfers to (in); the types of accounts between which that card-holder may transfer flmds;
Line 19: Credit limit;
Line 20: Authorized cash removal (by machine~ in the designated time period;
Line 21: Number to call if cardholder has any questions;
Line 22: Zip code, batch number, sequence numberJ card quantity and credit card account number followed by stop scan code;
Line 23, All "I" code binary representation of card quantity, aTId embossed 2~, 25, account number.

Example Figure 8 illustrates a carrier of the type shown in Figure 1 in the face-up orientation. The dimensions of the carrier are marked in the ~igure. Also, numbering vertically down the form from the top, the line-by-line positions of the indicia discussed above are identified with the prefix , ' ' ' , ' ., '~L", as ~L15" to identify the city~ state ancl zip code. These positions are the positions for an IB~ Moclcl 1~01 linc printer o~ 132 ~osition capacity, but any available capacity machine may be cm~loyed, e.g.~ 120-16~ posltion printers. The character positions across the carrier form ~from left to right in Figure 8) are also identified with the prefix "P", as P53 to identify the end signature (stop scan~ binary code. The L or R following a P number refers to the left or right carrier orientation in a two-wide carrier stream. The carrier shown is the left carrier, or carrier I in the L stream of Figure 1.
Thus, the end signature on this carrier is position P53L. The identical end signature for carrier II in Figure I would be P137R. 18L,102R and 51L,135R
are the start and the end, respectively, of the address space for the Left and Right streams.
This carrier may be used for hand or automated stuffing of standard sized credit or debit cards. In automated stuffing, the VIS machine using the carrier of Figure 8 is capable of inserting 1200 carriers/hr wlth three cards/carrier ~account). This compares to 150 carriers/hour with an average of 2.7 cards/carrier by hand stuffing for carriers of the prior art.
Figure 6 shows in perspective one embodiment of a verifier-inserter system for automatic folding and inserting of credit cards in the carriers of the present invention. The two-wide carrier form set 1 of Figure 1 is split or boned along perf 2 to provide an L stream and an R stream which are fan folded into two stacks 85 and 86~ respectively. The stacks are shown separately in Figure 6 but they may be interleaved as shown by arrow 87. The streams are fed into the VIS unit 88 upside down with the L carrier stream under the R stream. The L stream is advanced into the VIS unit by pin or friction drive 89 engaging the carrier stream web or holes 9 in the marginal drive strips 3, ~. The marginal drive strip 3 is peeled off the carrier form \

~3~.55~

prior to the first folding ste~ and is withdrawn at slot 90. SimilarlyJ the R carrier stream is advanced by drive strip 4 co-acting with a corresponding pin dri~e (not shown) and that strip is peeled off the carriers.
It is preferred to slit or bone off the drive strips with a decollator prior to the carrier streams entering the VIS unit. Boning is breaking the ties (pieces of paper between cuts; a cut plus tie is a perf), and this may be accomplished in a conventional decollator~ for exampleJ a Moore Business FormsJ Inc. Model 284B decollator. Boning is preferred to slit-ting as the operator may misalign the central and marginal slitters to produce the wrong-si~ed forms. Where the strips are boned or slit prior to feeding into the VISJ advancement of the carrier forms through the VIS are by friction drive rather than by pin drive.
The carriers enter the unit "C" panel first. The ca~rier form is then separated (burst~ from the subsequent carrier along stream fold/burst lines 15 or 18 (as the case may be~, e.g.J by drawing the carrier under ten-sion across a relatively sharp edge or wire (burst bar~. The "A" panel of the separated carrier 91 is simultaneously or sequentially folded back toward the "B' panel as shown by arrow 92 and retained at an acute included angle as shown at 93 in Figure 6. The carrier is then advanced or indexed sideways J
as shown by arrow 94 so that read head 95 scans the information means 24b.
In this embodimentJ the read head is an optical character reader scanning I-bar code. The head may be any other type above described to scan the appro-priate mode of information from the carrierJ i.e. J mag stripe, mag code, delta distance code, punch holesJ embossed characters or the like. The scanned information is transmitted by line 96 to a logic and command module 97 (LCM).
The LCM stores the information about the carrier including account identifi-cation number and number of cards to be inserted in that carrier.

,., ~ .

A st~ck of credit cards 98 is placed in a receiving tray of the VIS unit. The cards are advanced by pusher 99 to a picker lO0 as shown by arrow lOl. The cards are removed from the stack one by one and advanccd through an embossed charac-ter reader (ECR) 102 as shown by arrow 103. The ECR reads the account number embossed on the card and the information is trans-ferred to the LCM 97 via line 104. It should be understood that the card reader may be any type of reader and is not limited to an embossed character reader. For example, the reader may contain heads for reading magnetic stripes, indicia or bars on or embedded in cards, or an optical reader for reading characters, indicia, fonts, color bars and the like printed on or em-bossed in the cards.
The LC~ compares the inormation from the carrier and the card, e.g., bar code to embossed, or embossed to magnetic, magnetic to magneticJ
punched to embossed, punched or embossed to magnetic, and the like, or vice versa. If there is a match, the card is placed into an insertion mechanism 105 by a laydown mechanism 106 and inserted into the first slot 19 of the carrier. If the card does not match the carrier, the card is ejected to reject tray 107, or the carrier is advanced to reject tray 108. The LCM then mitiates a search mode in which cards 98 aré advanced through the read station 102 until the correct card for the carrier is found. Al~ernately, the VIS can search through the carrier by advancing them through the read station 95 until the matching carrier is found. It is preferred to search the cards since the rejects may be replaced, in sequence, from reject tray 107 to the card feed tray 101 more simply than refeeding carriers after finding the correct card. Purther, if one or more cards have been inserted in the carrier and an additional one or more is required, it is better to find the card than advance the carrier.

's ~ .

'`

.

.

Irhere there is verification, i.e., a match between card and carrier, the card is laid down and inser~ed. Where the information from the carrier indicates a second card is required, thc carrier is advanced to align a second pocket with the insert mechanism. The cards and carriers are advanced simul-taneously so that the card will be in place for insertion in the pocket upon indexing (advancing~ of the carrier pocket into position. When the correct number of cards are inserted in the carrier, two are shown in Figure 6 in pockets 19 and 20 at position 109, the carrier is advanced again out of the insert mechanism and the "C" panel folded over the exposed cards in the "A"
panel as sho~n by arrow 110. The completed, inserted and folded carrier is then stacked as at 111, or forwarded direc~ly to a mailing envelope stuffing operation or to be scanned prior to stuffing in a pre-mailing pulling and checking operation.
The command outputs from the LCM 97 are shown in F1gure 6 in schematic as carried by line lll to activate the VIS motor ll2 which transfers power to the various subunits described above by jack shaft;113. ~Power is selectively transferred to the individual subunits by selectlve activation of clutch means on the jack shaft~on~command from the LCM via lines 114 through 119; to the power clutch~(line 114); motor start ~line 115); picker and card laydown mechanism 116. Likewise~ power is activated off the jack shaft via line 117 for indexillg the~carrier, via lines 118 and 119 advancing the carrier streams into the VIS unit, and for the final fold all by clutches on command from the LCM.
Figure 9 shows in schemat1c the overall process steps for producing, inserting and folding the carriers of this invent1on. A webroll 120 of suit-able sheet material 121 is printed on a web press l22 with a desired design and instructional and/or contract indicia. Figure 9 then shows $hree alter-~ "

.

.

,~. ,:. :
' '" ' '

3 ~.~5~

nate modes of perfing, punching and slitting or boning, as identified by follo~ g webs 121a, 121b or 121c. Following first web 121a, roller punch 123 punches out the sproclcet drive holes 9 or 9' (see Figures 1 and 3) in the carriers or marginal drive strips. The web is then transversely perforated (lines 15, 16, 17, 18 in Figure 1) by transverse perf rollers 12~. T~he print-ed web is then perforated axially (longitudinally) by perf rollers 125 in one to three parallel lines, perfs 2, 7 and 8. Simultaneously, or before or after the horizontal perfing, the slits or slots are cut into the web by roller-mounted cutters 126.
Web 121b shows these operations 123-126 sequentially with one under-web pressure roller 170, and web 121c shows these operations 123-126 in a 2-roll press. The operations 123-126 may occur in any desired sequence.
Af~er these operations the web 127, containing completed blank carriers, goes to one or more of four optional operations. The web may be rolled up at 128 as a roll of completed carriers for transport and/or future use. The web may be fed to a rotary chopper 129 and stored as~ a stack of ;~
completed carriers in individual sheets 130. This is particularly useful in the case of carriers for hand insertion, such as carriers I and II of Figure 1 not having drive margins. The carriers may be separated down the central longitudinal line 2 ~Figure 1) before chopping and stacking. In the third alternative the carrier form sets may be folded along fold lines 15, 18, 22 (Figure 1) to form a fan-folded stack 131. Another alternative lnvolves splitting (separating) or boning the web longitudinally by a roller~type slitter and fan folding the resultant L and R streams (shown in Figure 9) to-gether so they are interleaved as a single interleaved stack 132.
Any of these forms of the carrier sets are then forwarded to the second stage of operations, that of printing or encoding individual account .~Ad ~V.l~ Si4 information in individual carriers, inserting cards and folding them. The continuo-ls web of carriers 127a coming directly from the carrier preparation operation, or the various alternatc forms oE carriers 127b, is fed to a printer (imaging device~ or encoder unit 134 which is controlled by a process control and customizing computer (or computer-generated tape~ 135 which contains data on the individual accounts. In the example shown, printer 134 is a line printer that prints information on the carrier of the type shown in Figures 2, 4, 5~ 7 and 8, including the I-bar code. The printad two-wide carrier stream 136 is then slit or boned, and the marginal drive strips 141 and 142 removed, e.g., in a decollator operation 137, forming two streams, an L stream 138 and an R stream 139 and fed into the VIS unit, singly or inter-leaved, as shown by the arrows. Alternately a one-wide stream 140 can be fed directly into the VIS from the printer 134.
In the VIS the stripped form sheets, streams or webs 138, 139, 140 are passed over a burst bar 143 and separated into individual carriers 144a, 144b along lines 22, 15 and 18 ~Figure 1). The "A" panel of the carrier is then folded over as shown by arrow 145 and the carrier advanced ~arrow 146) past read station 9S into the first insertion position. The read head 95 optically or electromagnetically reads the I-bar code, and information is transferred to LCM 97 as earlier described.
Plastic credit card core stock 147 (shown as 147a in roll form, 147b in sheet form~ is printed on the front side 148a or b, and on thc back-side 149a or b, in one or more colors. The printed stock is then laminated on one or both sides with transparent plastic sheets 150a and/or 150b in roll press lSla or sheet press 151b. Individual cards are produced from the core stock 152a or laminated sheet 152b by reciprocating punch 153 to produce virgin credit cards 154. The virgin cards are embossed or encoded (mag stripe) ,, with individual account information in embossing or mag stripe encoding unit 155 (e.g., a Data Card embossing or mag strip encoding unit~, which is fed the appropriate information on the same or different computer 135 or LCM 97.
155a represents embossing, 155b represents encoding a mag stripe, and 155c represents other impressing or encoding information by other means. For example, when the carriers are read by scanner means 95 and information transferred to LCM 97, the LCM can command the embossing or encoding unit 155 to emboss or encode virgin plastics with the correct information so that the cards and carriers are in proper sequence. The cards are then passed directly to the insertion means 105. Conversely, the-embossing/encoder can control the VIS insertion operations by location of the computer ~or tape) 135/LCM 91 in the embosser/encoder 155.
The embossed cards 98 are forwarded to the VIS unit where the em- -bossed or encoded information is read by reader 102 ~102a embossing, 102b mag strip reader, 102c "other" reader), which forwards individual card information to the LCM 97 which may be part of computer 135. In the LCM 97, the informa-tion from the carrier via reader 95 is compared with information from the cards via reader 102. If there is a match ~verification) the LCM commands the VIS unit to insert the card in the waiting, partly folded carrier 156, the output command function being shown schematically via line 157. The direction of card insertion is shown by arrow 162 in Figures 2, 4, 5 and 9.
~Vhere, for example, the account information indicates only one or two cards are appropriatc for the carrier, the carrier will be cycled sequen-tially through two or one insertion positions, respectively, without cards being inserted. This is accomplished by a command function which causes the card picker to retract or stop, while the carrier continues to be advanced.
The retracted picker may cycle without picking and advancing cards through ~ 3q ~
r 3~ ~54~

tlle card read station, laydown door and inscrtion tray. In addition, where there is a carrier/card mismatch, ~he logic/command module operates to cycle through a plurality of cards while the carrier remains stationary. Rejected cards are retained in a reject tray and may be recycled to ~he load tract.
This search mode may be repeated as desired by an operator.
Thc carrier with its individual complement of cards 10~ is then advanced through a fold station 16~ where the "C" panel is folded along fold line 17 completing the folding of the carriers 158. The folded carriers 158 exit the apparatus folded and in account sequence. T~e completed carriers are oriented in a manner that account information is presented in a suitable position, e.g.~ along the upper edge (see Figure 2), so that it may be selectively read or sensed for further processing or checking, e.g., pulling or checking.
In ~he verification operation, verifier uni~ 181 checks the number of cards inserted in a folded carrier. Th~is is done by serially passing completed, inserted and folded carriers 158 horizontally (e.g., direction of arrow 69 in Figure 2) between the nip~of a pair of rollers, one fixed and the other movable, and determining the thickness of the carriers 158 at the posi-tion of each pocket by sensing the relative deflection of the movable roller.
This sensed verification information is forwarded via line 193 to computer/LChl 135/97 and compared to the proper number of cards that should be in the carrier as sensed by read head 95 (or as instructed by computer or tape data in 135/97~. Where there is a mismatch, the computer/LCM 135/97 commands the verifier to reject the carrier at 182. The verified carriers may pass direct-ly to an envelope stuffer 161 via lines 183, 18~ or pass to a pulling unit 185 via line 186.
In the pulling operation 185 the inserted carriers 158 are scanned . ~ :

5~

or read by a reacl head 159 whicll transmits information to LCM 97 and/or com-puter 135 which compares the da~a with an updated approved list. If there is neecl for a last-minute PU11J the computer, tapo or LCM activates a reject unit 160. I-t is ~referred to pass the carriers 158 through the pulling unit serially, as described above for the verifier unit, with read head 159 scan-ning the information (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 180 Figures 1-8) on the carrier as the completed carriers pass the head, and pulled carriers being rejected as bad accounts are identified. In the alternative, as shown in Figure 9, the carriers may be scalmed in a stack 187, with pulled carriers being rejected at 188. The updated batch of completed carriers are then forwarded to mailing envelope stuffer 161.
The completed carriers, alone or with other mailer information, are then inserted or stuffed into envelopes by hand or in an automatic mail in-serting unit 161 (such as a Pitney Bowes 3144 "Insertamax*" high-speed auto-matic mail insertion unit, or a Bell ~ Howell/Phillipsburg automatic envelope inserter).
The completed, stuffed envelopes 163 are mailed or delivered to customers (account holders) directly, completing the process, or may be pro-cessed in a sealed envelope detector (SED) 189 having a scanner unlt like units 95 or 159 (not shown in detail~. The information 23, 24a or 24b is positioned to be read through the envelope, e.g., windows 34 or 35 on the front or back of the envelope (see Figure 2 and accompanying description above), or from the envelope itself, e.g., label 180 applied directly to the front or back of the envelope. The scanned information, e.g., in the for~ of optical, electronic or electrically detectable pulses, is passed to the computer/LCM 135/97 via line 190 where it is compared to the updated approved list. If the particular account is bad, the computer LCM 135/97 commands *Trade marl~ l the detector to pull tile envelope sholm at 191. The sealed envelope detector (SED) also senses the number of cards in the carrier and rejects incorrect ones at 192 in the mamler above described for -the vcriEier unit 181. The SED may have its ol~n scanner, or may use information from scanner 95 or 159 without need to scan the envelopes or windows. This is preferred where the SED is integrated with the VIS unit o-f Figure 6.
~Yithin the spirit of the invention we may position information 23 and/or bar code 24b or the like, on the B panel (see information 23, 24a, 24b on carrier II in Figure 3) so that when the completed carrier is stuffed into an unsealed envelope, the bar code is revealed in the triangular area between the upper edge of the ellvelope flap and the back panels o the envelope. The bar code is thus presented for automated or manual ~visual) "reading" for verification and pulling just prior to sealing. In an alternate embodiment, the back of the envelope may have a special window juxtaposed opposite informa-tion (23, 24a, 24b) for verification and/or pulling after sealing by reading through the window. In still another~embodiment, a line printer may be used to print the information 23, 2~a, 24b on labels which may be applied to bldnk ~;carriers, mailers or envelopes. The labels may then be applied to the carriers or mailers by the VIS unit, and to the envelopes by the verification, pulling, envelope stuffing, or SED units in accord with information in computer/LCM
135/97 sensed from credit cards as they are inserted in the carriers.
Likewise, the principles of automated scanning, insertion, verifi-cation, pulling, stuffing and sealed envelope verification and pulling dis-closed herein may be applied to other types of carriers, including prior art carriers and future carriers. Thus, information 23 and/or information 24a (e.g., bar code) may be applied to single panel carriers, pocket carriers, mailing inserts, envelopes, and to labels applied to carriers, ~nvelopes and mailers and the like, ~or automated insertingJ veri-fication, pulling and sealcd cnvelope detection at various stages of operation as disclosed herein.
I`he slits of the invention may also be straight slits, parallel to an edge (e.g., a straight slit ~0 in carrier I of Figure 3), or a single straight slit may be inclined at an acute angle (with respect to an edge), e.g., in Figure 2, extending limb 19a of slit 19 to the right for the full slit width. In another embodiment, slits or slots may be omitted, with the cards being wcdge-trapped between the panels. The first end oE the card (31 in Figure 2) is trapped between the A and B panel, while the other end (32 in Figure 2) is trapped between the card B panels.
The carriers of the instant invention can iorm their own envelope.
For example, Figure 2 shows the three panels stapled together by staple 178 at the left edge. The right edge is similarly stapled (not shown) J and an op-tional glue spot or stripe 179 along the inner (back side) edge 18 of the C panel completes the seal of the C panel to the A panel. ~The mailing address 27 may remain on the C panel or be placed on the B panel. Figure 6 shows glue stripes 175J 176, 177 adjacent the side edges 12 and 2 respectlvely, and on the C panel of carrier lV ad~acent fold/burst line 15. This glue is on the backside of the carriers. When folded, the carrier is sealed by the adhesive forming a completed envelope.
Various inclusive definitions used herein apply to terms in the ~laims as well. For exampleJ reference to "credit cards" should be understood to include any type o~ card whether a credit, debit, account, access, identi-ficiation, key, pass card or the like. "Carriers" or "credit card carriers"
includes carriers of any kind and includes mailers and/or envelopes therefor where applicable. "Information'i includes information relating to the card-holder and/or account as applicable and includes any form of representation.

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"Indicia" or "number" includes markirlgs of all sorts, numbers, letters, designs, fonts, cocies and the like. "Pulses" includes any form of in~orma-tion bit transfers whether mecllanical, electrical or in the electromagnetic wave spectrum, for example, electrical signals, visible, ~V or IR light waves, microwave, magnetic bubbles and the like. "Readable" or "scannable" includes any manual (visual) or mechanical manner of ascertaining information from the carriers or labels, and by "mechanical" is meant to be included in whole or in part any optical, electro-optical, magnetic, electronic, electromechanical, electric, and purely mechanical methods and apparatus. Reference to "card-holder account number" or "account number" includes any unique identifying or code number relating to an individual cardholder and is not restricted to a financial-type account. It may include a number assigned to an employee permitting access to certain buildings, rooms, files and the like. "Web"
includes an extent of sheet material whether in s-ingle sheet form or continu-ous form.
It should be understood that various modifications within the scope of this invention can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art with-out departing from the spirit thereof. We therefore wish our invention to be defined by the scope of the appended claims as broadly as the prior art will permit, and in view o~ this specification if need be.

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Claims (57)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Method of automatic verification and insertion of credit cards in carriers therefor comprising the steps of:
(a) providing carriers adapted to retain credit cards in association therewith, (b) providing credit cards having thereon machine readable infor-mation uniquely identifying a cardholder or account, (c) inserting the correct number of credit cards into each said carrier in accordance with information on the number of cards authorized for said cardholder or account, (d) identifying said carrier with information uniquely identify-ing the cardholder or account cards inserted therein.

2. The method as in claim 1 in which said step of inserting comprises the step of placing the correct number of credit cards in releasable retentive engagement with the carrier associated therewith.

3. Method as in claim 2 wherein said step of identifying includes depositing information on said carrier.

4. Method as in claim 3 wherein said step of depositing includes applying said information on said carrier or to a label applied to said carrier.

5. Method as in claim 4 wherein said operation of applying is selected from printing, embossing, punching, and encoding a magnetically susceptible material.

6. Method as in claim 3 wherein said step of depositing is selected from printing, embossing, punching, and encoding a magnetically susceptible material.

7. The method as in claim 3 which includes the step of folding said carriers after insertion of said cards therein, and stuffing said carriers into mailing envelopes.

8. Method as in claim 3 which includes the steps of applying said in-formation to virgin credit cards, controlling said identifying of carriers and said information applying to credit cards to provide said carriers and cards in sequence so that said insertion produces a matched condition of said cards and said carriers.

9. Method as in claim 3 wherein said step of depositing occurs prior to said insertion of said cards in carriers.

10. Method as in claim 9 which includes the steps of applying said in-formation to virgin credit cards, controlling said identifying of carriers and said information applying to credit cards to provide said carriers and cards in sequence so that said insertion produces a matched condition of said cards and said carriers.

11. Method as in claim 2 wherein said step of identifying includes depositing information on an envelope into which said carrier is stuffed or on a mailer.

12. Method as in claim 11 wherein said step of depositing includes applying information on said envelope or mailer, or to a label applied to said envelope or mailer.

13. Method as in claim 12 wherein said operation of applying is select-ed from printing, embossing, punching, and encoding a magnetically susceptible material.

14. Method as in claim 11 wherein said step of identifying is selected from printing, embossing, punching, and encoding a magnetically susceptible material.

15. Method as in claim 2 which includes steps of comparing the information of each of said carriers or cards with information on undesired accounts to determine a condition of match, and removing said carriers having cards inserted therein from said sequence in response to said matched information condition.

16. Method as in claim 2 which includes the step of detecting the number of cards in said carriers, and rejecting envelopes containing an in-sufficiency or excess of cards responsive to a preselected number of cards for each carrier.

17. Method as in claim 2 which includes the step of insertion of said carriers in mailing envelopes.

18. Method as in claim 17 which includes the step of detecting the number of cards in said envelopes after said carrier has been inserted in said envelopes, and rejecting envelopes containing an insufficiency or excess of cards in response to a preselected number of cards for each envelope.

19. Method as in claim 18 which includes the step of comparing carrier or card information with information on undesired accounts to determine a condition of match, and removing envelopes containing said matched information on cards or carriers from among a plurality of said envelopes.

20. Method as in claim 17 which includes the step of comparing carrier or card information with information on undesired accounts to determine a condition of match, and removing envelopes containing said matched informa-tion on cards or carriers from among a plurality of said envelopes

21. Method as in claim 2 wherein said step of identifying occurs prior to said insertion of said cards in carriers.

22. Method as in claim 21 which includes the steps of applying said in-formation to virgin credit cards, controlling said identifying of carriers and information applying to credit cards to provide said carriers and cards in sequence so that said insertion produces a matched condition of said cards and said carriers.

23. The method as in claim 22 which includes the step of folding said carriers after insertion of said cards into association therewith, and stuff-ing said carriers into mailing envelopes.

24. Method as in claim 23 wherein said carriers are provided in a continuous web.

25. Method as in claim 24 wherein said carriers are provided one-wide, and which includes the step of separating individual ones of said carriers from said web.

26. Method of automatic vertification and retentive engagement of credit cards in association with carriers therefor comprising the steps of:
(a) providing carriers to a first station, said carriers having disposed thereon machine readable information relating to an individual card-holder account, said information being selected from information on the number of credit cards authorized for said account, and information uniquely identifying said cardholder or account, (b) machine reading at least a portion of said information on said carriers in said first station, (c) providing credit cards to a second station, said cards having thereon machine readable information relating to individual cardholder or account, (d) machine reading said information on said cards in said second station, (e) comparing said card information with said carrier information until a condition of matched information is produced, (f) retainingly engaging the correct number of properly matched cards into association with the appropriate carrier in response to said match-ed information condition.

27. Method as in claim 26 which includes the step of folding said carriers after engagement of said cards into associated therewith.

28. Method as in claim 27 which includes the steps of the comparing the information of each of said carrier or cards with information on undesired accounts to determine a condition of match, and removing said carriers having cards engaged therewith from said sequence in response to said matched infor-mation condition.

29. Method as in claim 27 which includes the step of detecting the num-ber of cards in said carriers, and rejecting carriers containing an insuffi-ciency or excess in response to a preselected number of cards for each carrier.

30. Method as in claim 27 which includes the step of stuffing of said carriers in mailing envelopes.

31. Method as in claim 30 which includes the step of detecting the the number of cards in said envelopes after said carrier has been stuffed in said envelopes, and rejecting envelopes containing an insufficiency or excess of cards in response to a preselected number of cards for each envelope.

32. Method as in claim 31 wherein said numbers of cards information is machine read from said carriers when disposed in said envelopes, comparing said numbers information to the detected number in the envelope, and rejecting envelopes on conditions of mismatch.

33. Method as in claim 31 which includes the step of comparing carrier or card information with information on undesired accounts to determine a condition of match, and removing envelopes containing said matched information on cards or carriers from among a plurality of said envelopes.

34. Method as in claim 30 which includes the step of depositing pre-selected information on said carriers prior to providing said carriers to said first station.

35. Method as in claim 34 which includes the step of applying said in-formation relating to said individual cardholder or account to virgin credit cards.

36. Method as in claim 26 wherein said carriers are provided in a con-tinuous web form, and which includes separating individual ones of said carriers from said continuous web.

37. Method as in claim 26 which includes the step of depositing pre-selected information on said carriers prior to providing said carriers to said first station.

38. Method as in claim 37 wherein said step of depositing includes ap-plying said information on said carrier or to a label applied to said carrier.

39. Method as in claim 38 wherein said operation of applying is select-ed from printing, embossing, punching and encoding a magnetically susceptible material.

40. Method as in claim 37 wherein said operation of depositing is selec-ted from printing, embossing, punching, and encoding a magnetically suspcept-ible material.

41. Method as in claim 37 which includes the step of applying said in-formation relating to said individual cardholder or account to virgin credit cards.

42. Apparatus for automatic verification and retentive engagement of credit cards in association with carriers therefor comprising:
(a) means for providing carriers adapted to retain credit cards in association therewith, (b) means for providing credit cards having thereon machine read-able information uniquely identifying a cardholder or account;
(c) means for retainingly engaging the correct number of credit cards into association with each said carrier in accordance with information on the number of cards authorized for said cardholder or accounts; and (d) means for identifying said carrier with information uniquely identifying the cardholder or account.

43. The apparatus of claim 42 which includes means for depositing information on said carriers.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 including means for stuffing said car-riers having cards retained in association therewith into mailing envelopes.

45, The apparatus of claim 43 in which said depositing means includes means for applying said information to a label, and means for applying the label to the carrier.

46. The apparatus of claim 45 in which said information depositing means is selected from means for printing, means for embossing, means for punching and means for encoding a magnetically susceptible material.

47. The apparatus of claim 43 in which said information depositing means is selected from means for printing, means for embossing, means for punching and means for encoding a magnetically susceptible material.

48. The apparatus of claim 42 in which said identifying means includes means for depositing information on an envelope into which said carriers are stuffed.

49. The apparatus of claim 48 in which said applying means is selected from means for printing, means for embossing, means for punching, and means for encoding a magnetically susceptible material.

50. The apparatus of claim 48 in which said depositing means includes means for applying information on a label, and means for applying said label to the envelope.

51. The apparatus of claim 50 in which said applying means is selected from means for printing, means for embossing, means for punching, and means for encoding a magnetically susceptible material.

52. The apparatus of claim 42 including means for comparing the carrier or card information with information on undesired accounts to determine a condition of match, and means far removing carriers of undesired accounts from the other carriers in response to said matched information condition.

53. The apparatus of claim 42 including means for detecting the number of cards in said carriers, means for preselecting a number of cards for each carrier, and means for rejecting carriers containing a number of detected cards other than said preselected number.

54. The apparatus of claim 42 including means for stuffing said carriers having cards retained in association therewith into mailing envelopes.

55. The apparatus of claim 54 including means for detecting the number of cards in said envelopes after a carrier containing the cards has been stuffed therein, and means for rejecting envelopes containing a number of cards differing from that of a preselected number of cards for such envelope.

56. The apparatus of claim 55 including means for comparing carrier or card information with information on undesired accounts to determine a condition of match, and means for removing envelopes containing cards or carriers with said matched information from among a plurality of said envelopes.

57. The apparatus of claim 53 including means for comparing carrier or card information with information on undesired accounts to determine a condition of match, and means for removing envelopes containing cards or carriers with said matched information from a plurality of said envelopes.