GB2417464A

GB2417464A - Signature strip protector for a plastic card

Info

Publication number: GB2417464A
Application number: GB0417737A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vishal Chaudhary
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-08-10
Filing date: 2004-08-10
Publication date: 2006-03-01
Also published as: GB0417737D0

Abstract

A plastic card comprising a transparent sticker attached to one end 3 which is placed over the signature strip 2. Preferably the sticker is holographic and the adhesive underside may be covered with peel-off paper 5 prior to use. The sticker may provide security to the signature strip 2 to prevent tampering or misuse and may also protect it from damage, water or sweat. Attempted removal of the sticker may damage the signature strip 2.

Description

24 1 7464 1.

SIGNATURE STRIP OF PLASIC CARDS

The invention relates to the signature strip on plastic cards which bears the signature of the card owner for identification and security.

The signature strips on plastic cards are very important for the purpose of identification and prevention of fraudulent use. There are possibilities of tampering with the owner's signature and re-signing on the strip for fraudulent use in the present type of signature strip. Another disadvantage with present signature strip of plastic cards is that with the passage of time and usage the signature on the strip fades away which makes it more vulnerable to misuse and thus requiring a complete change of card.

Objects of this invention are to: a) Provide security to the signature strip and prevent misuse.

b) For the prevention of the signature fading with the passage of time and usage c) To make the signature strip water proof preventing the ink on the signature Accordingly, this invention provides for a transparent sticker preferably holographic to be attached to one end of signature strip of plastic cards. This attached transparent sticker is of the same length and breadth as that of the signature strip. The bottom side of the sticker consists of the adhesive side which helps it to bind strongly to the signature strip permanently after the card is signed and the sticker placed over. The side of the sticker which contains the adhesive has an easy peel of paper which prevents it from sticking to the card before it has been signed by the authorised card holder and also during storage. Once the card is signed, the easy peel of paper on the adhesive side of the sticker is removed which exposes the adhesive side. The exposed adhesive side of the transparent sticker allows it to be then securely stuck over the signature strip of the card covering the entire signature strip. If an effort is made to rip the transparent sticker from the signature strip it tears of the signature strip along with it making it impossible to tamper with the original signature.

This transparent sticker not only prevents one from tampering with the signature on the strip but also provides for protection against fading of the signature ink due to constant use and with the passage of time giving the card a longer life.

Many card holders prefer not to sign the card for security reasons. In that instance this strip can play an additional role. A card holder who does not whish to sign their cards can simply sticks the transparent sticker over the unsigned signature strip. This transparent sticker would prevent any one signing on the empty signature strip and misusing it.

An additional benefit of the sticker is to help prevent water or sweat getting in direct contact with the signature ink and thus helping it last longer.

Preferably the transparent sticker should be holographic for additional security.

Holographic stickers can have 3D or 2D security images copyrighted by the card issuer printed on the transparent sticker for enhanced security making it difficult to counterfeit.

FIGURE 1. on page of the drawings is the back view of a plastic card shows the present type of plastic cards containing the magnetic strip and the signature strip.

FIGURE 2. of the drawings shows the plastic card with the innovated signature strip 2 consisting of the transparent sticker attached to one end 3 of the signature strip. The lower side sticker facing the card consists of the adhesive. This is covered with an easy peel off paper 5 which is to be removed after the signature has been put on the signature strip 2 exposing the adhesive side 6 of the sticker as in shown in Figure 5 clearly and when placed over the signature strip helping it to stick to it permanently over it as shown in Figure 3.

FIGURE 3 on of the drawings shows the transparent sticker stuck over the signature strip after the signature has been put on it and the easy peel off paper removed allowing it to stick on the signature strip. The transparent sticker over the signature strip consists of 3D/2D images represented by star signs as shown on the signature strip in Figure. 3.

Figure 4 clearly shows the easy peel of paper S before being removed from the adhesive side 6 of the transparent strip. Figure 5 shows the easy removal of the peel of paper 5 from the adhesive side 6 of the sticker and thus allowing it to stick over the signature strip 2. Figure 6 shows the easy peel of paper completely removed from the sticker and the sticker ready to be pasted over the signature strip 2 with the adhesive side 6 completely exposed and ready to be stuck over the signature strip 2.

As shown in Figure 2 the signature strip of the card 2 should have one end of the transparent sticker attached to the card 3. The authorised signatory after signing on the signature strip 2 peels the easy peel of paper 5 from the adhesive side of the sticker 6 and places the sticker over the entire signature strip. It fits completely as the sticker is of the same length and breadth as that of the signature strip. Figure 3 shows the transparent sticker pasted over the signature strip after removal of the easy peel of paper 6. Since the sticker is transparent the signature on the strip is visible however making it impossible to be tampered with.

This sticker when placed over the strip not only protects the signature strip from being tampered but also prevents the ink from fading away and giving the card a more longer and secure life and water proofing the entire signature strip.

Claims

CLAIM

A plastic card, which comprises of a transparent sticker attached to one end of the card to be placed over the signature strip of the said card. 1/1