GB2320180A

GB2320180A - A container for a data card with cleaning means

Info

Publication number: GB2320180A
Application number: GB9625627A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cheuk Fai Ho
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-12-10
Filing date: 1996-12-10
Publication date: 1998-06-17
Also published as: GB9625627D0

Abstract

A substantially conventional IC card (10) is retained within a container (12) by sliding its edges into and along guide channels (24). This brings an IC (14) of the card (10) into contact with and along a cleaning material (28) provided on the inner surface of a front wall (18) of the container (12). During removal of the IC card (10) there is further relative movement between the IC (14) and the cleaning material (28). This wiping action acts to clean the IC. The container (12) may function as an identification badge, and a clip (30) to enable the badge to be worn on the person is provided. The data card may contain a magnetic strip which is cleaned in the same way.

Description

A CONTAINER FOR A DATA CARD The present invention relates to a container for a data card.

Increasingly, individuals carry data cards which are to interact with various machines and devices. For example, cards with magnetic strips may be used in automatic teller machines, and cards carrying both memory and processing capability, such as IC cards, are used in time clocks, in door opening devices, and with a variety of other apparatuses. It is generally preferred that such cards are protected from dirt and moisture, for example, by being carried in a plastics material sleeve or other container. Unfortunately, removing and returning a data card from and to a plastics sleeve can scratch or otherwise damage the data card. Even if the data card is carried in a plastics material bag, there is still the likelihood that it will become scratched whereby its useful life is shortened.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to reduce this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a data card and a container therefor, said data card having an operational area for interacting with a card reading device, and said container comprising guide means arranged to guide the card as it is moved into or out of said container, and cleaning means arranged to contact and clean the operational area of the card as it is moved into or out of said container.

Not only does the container of an embodiment of the present invention ensure that the data card is not damaged during removal from and insertion into the container, it also cleans the operational area of the card thereby improving its life.

The operational area of the data card will vary in dependence upon the nature of the card. For example, the operational area may be a magnetic strip, or it may be an IC with surface mounted contacts.

In an embodiment, said guide means comprise two spaced guide channels each arranged to receive a respective edge of the data card.

Preferably, the cleaning means comprises a cleaning material provided on an inner surface of the container. In an embodiment, the cleaning material may cover an area which is substantially the same size and shape as the operational area of the data card.

In a preferred embodiment, the container is generally of the same overall size and shape as the data card it protects. Preferably, the container has opposed front and back walls joined by opposed side walls.

Preferably, each of the two spaced guide channels is formed to extend along a respective one of the side walls of the container. Preferably, each said guide channel is substantially of the same thickness as the thickness of the card edge which is to be received therein.

In one embodiment, an attachment device is carried by the container. By this means, the container may function as an identification badge. The badge will be worn on the person by way of the attachment means.

The identification data displayed by the identification badge may be identification data carried on the data card which is arranged to be visible when the data card is received within the container. Additionally and/or alternatively, identification data may be provided on the front wall of the container. This enhances its identification badge function. The identification data may, for example, be printed or otherwise marked on the front wall of the container. Additionally and/or alternatively, an auxiliary identification card may be mounted on the container to form part of the front wall thereof.

Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a container and data card of an embodiment of the invention, and Figure 2 shows a section of the container of Figure 1 and optional attachment means.

Figure 1 shows a substantially conventional IC card 10, for example, for use for identification purposes together with a container 12 therefor. As can be seen, the IC card 10 carries an IC 14 which has surface mounted contacts for engaging with a reading device. In the embodiment illustrated, the IC card 10 also carries a photograph indicated at 16 and various identification information, so that the card 10 can be used both in card readers (not shown) to perform various functions, and also as an identification card to identify the person carrying it.

The container 12 is preferably formed of a rigid plastics material and has a front wall 18 and an opposed back wall 20. The front and back walls 18, 20 are joined by two spaced side walls 22. Along each of the side walls 22 there is a guide channel 24 whose depth is just sufficient to take the thickness of the IC card 10.

In the embodiment illustrated, the front wall 18 is to be completed by the affixing to the side walls 22 and to the front wall 18 of an auxiliary card 26 also carrying identification information. Thus, it will be appreciated that even if the IC card 10 is removed from the container 12, the container 12 still functions as an identification badge.

In Figure 2 the container 12 is shown sectioned whereby a cleaning material 28 provided on the inner surface of the front wall 18 can be seen.

In use, the IC card 10 is retained within the container by sliding its edges into and along the guide channels 24. This brings the IC 14 of the card 10 into contact with and along the cleaning material 28. During removal of the IC card 10 there is further relative movement between the IC 14 and the cleaning material 28.

This wiping action of the cleaning material 28 on the IC 14 performs a cleaning action.

Where the container is to function as an identification badge, attachment means to enable the badge to be worn on the person can be provided. In Figure 2 a clip 30 to act as such attachment means is shown. It will be appreciated that this clip 30 can be secured to the container by way of the rivet 32. The clip 30 can then be used to affix the identification badge to a person's clothing. Additionally and/or alternatively, a chain (not shown) may be secured to the container 12 so that the container can be worn around the neck.

The container 12 can, of course, be made of any material and of any shape and size. Generally, however, it is preferred that the container be manufactured of plastics material. It is also generally preferred that the container 12 be substantially of the same shape and size as that of the IC card 10.

It will be appreciated, that as illustrated, there are advantages to forming the container such that it can also function as a badge. However, it is also possible for the container to be formed, for example, as a plastics material sleeve to be provided in a wallet.

It will be appreciated that variations in and modifications to the embodiments as described and illustrated may be made within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A data card and a container therefor, said data card having an operational area for interacting with a card reading device, and said container comprising guide means arranged to guide the card as it is moved into or out of said container1 and cleaning means arranged to contact and clean the operational area of the card as it is moved into or out of said container.

2. A data card and a container as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the operational area of the data card is a magnetic strip.

3. A data card as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the operational area of the data card is an IC with surface mounted contacts.

4. A data card and a container as claimed in any preceding claim1 wherein said guide means comprise two spaced guide channels each arranged to receive a respective edge of the data card.

5. A data card and a container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cleaning means comprises a cleaning material provided on an inner surface of the container.

6. A data card and a container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container is generally of the same overall size and shape as the data card it protects, and wherein the container has opposed front and back walls joined by opposed side walls.

7. A data card and a container as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said guide means comprise two spaced channels, each of the two spaced guide channels extending along a respective one of the side walls of the container, and wherein each said guide channel is substantially of the same thickness as the thickness of the card edge which is to be received therein.

8. A data card and a container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an attachment device is carried by the container such that the container may function as an identification badge.

9. A data card and a container therefor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.