MXPA00005623A - Business card with peel off labels - Google Patents

Abstract

A business card assembly (10) having a standard wallet-sized card with top and bottom surfaces. Business card identification information is printed on the top surface. Two or more adhesive-backed removable labels (12) are secured to the bottom surface of the business card, and each of these labels (12) has the business card identification information printed on it. The labels (12) may be peeled off and placed, for example, in one's personal planner, file, or other conventional location. The card may be a traditional flat style, or a tent style. The card may also include a release liner beneath the removable labels (12), the release liner also optionally including additional printed information.

Description

CARDS FOR PRESENTATION WITH LABELS THAT CAN BE REMOVED RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation in part of the jointly pending application Serial No. 08 / 986,867, filed on December 8, 1997. TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to business cards and, in particular, to business cards with removable labels. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A wide variety of devices and systems have been proposed for organizing and storing business cards. Many businessmen, when carrying out their business activities, receive several business cards from a variety of sources. For many people, business cards are simply stored in a drawer or somewhere else on the desk, and the information on the cards is then available only by searching. On other occasions, the business card is attached with tape to a specific place, such as a filing cabinet or personal planner, etc. Although this makes the information on the card available while using the file cabinet or planner in particular, the information is not available or otherwise accessible, since the card is a "one-time use" device; that is, it presents information only in one place. A proposed solution for handling business cards is a folder or notebook for business cards containing, for example, pages of transparent bags into which cards can be inserted. Although these types of organizers can be used to organize cards, they present the information only in one place. Many businessmen do not have time to maintain such card organizations. Even with an organizer of these, if the information is required to be available in more than one place, it must be copied manually from the business card to, for example, a list of contacts in a personal planner, a personal list of telephone numbers, a classifier, etc.

Businessmen who work for more than one office (e.g., in branches or even a home office) also experience frustration at not having the business card information readily available at each location in their offices. Unless you are very conscious about keeping a card organizer and carrying it with you all the time, you will often find that the information you need is on a business card that is in one of your offices. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a multi-purpose display card unit having a standard card the size of a wallet with a top and bottom surface. There are two or more removable labels with adhesive on the back fixed to the bottom surface of the business card, and each of these labels carries the identification information of the business card. Thus, when a person receives a business card, they can take off one of the removable labels and place it, for example, in their personal planner. Another tag may be peeled off and placed in a file cabinet related to the person identified on the business card. Another label can also be peeled off and placed, for example, on a conventional ROLODEX® style card. The business card itself remains intact, and can be placed in a business card organizer, in the usual stack of cards on the desk, or in any other convenient location. The business card can be of the conventional smooth type or the embossed type. This card may also include a release liner under the removable labels, and the release liner will also optionally include the additional printed information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view of the upper surface of a presentation card representative of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the lower surface of the presentation card of Figure 3. Figure 3 is a plan view of the lower surface of the presentation card of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view of the lower surface of an alternate embodiment of a presentation card of the invention; Figure 5 is a plan view of the lower surface of another alternate embodiment of a presentation card of the invention; Figures 6-9 are plan views of the lower surface of additional alternate embodiments of the presentation cards of the invention; Figure 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an embossed display card of the invention; and Figures 1 1 and 12 illustrate another embodiment that uses printing on a release liner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 illustrates the upper surface of a business card for multiple uses the size of a portfolio 10 carrying the typical business identification information. This information includes the name of a company, a person's name and position, a postal address, telephone and fax numbers and an email address. Obviously, it is not necessary that all this information be printed on the card, and other additional information (such as the company logo, private telephone, etc.) may be included, depending on the wishes and needs of the individual. However, enough identifying information is printed on the card to be useful as a business card. Such cards are usually 2 inches by approximately 3.5 inches (5 centimeters by 8.8 centimeters) in size, and should not exceed 2.25 by 3.75 inches (5.7 by 9.5 centimeters). Figures 2-3 illustrate the bottom surface of the multi-purpose display card 10 of Figure 1. Four peel-off labels 12 are affixed to the back of the display card. Each of these labels 12 carries the identification information of the presentation card. The information on each label 12 will not necessarily include all the information printed on the upper surface of the card 10, but enough of the information is used at least to identify the individual and conveniently how the person can be contacted. In the modality of Figures 2-3, the contact information includes the name of the company, in addition to the telephone and fax numbers. Alternatively, an email address, postal address, or other selected contact information may be placed on the label, depending on the person's preferences. As a further variation, one or more cards may have a type of contact information (such as telephone numbers, which may be placed in a person's personal telephone directory), while one or more cards may have other contact information ( as a postal address that can be placed in a correspondence file). In Figure 3, the card 10 is illustrated with four labels 12 extending the full length of the presentation card 10. Figure 4 shows a variation in which seven smaller labels 14 extend across the width of the card 10. Other shapes and sizes may also be used as desired, such as the triangular labels 16 of Figure 5. Preferably the entire lower surface of the card 10 is covered with labels to present a surface with a uniform finish. Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment in which three labels 20 are provided with one type of identification information (the name of the company), and three additional labels 18 contain other type of identification information (telephone number and address), providing The person receiving the card 10 additional options on where and how to use the labels. Figure 7 shows a card in which the label 22 covers the entire lower surface of the card. The invention may also use other types of information on the labels. For example, Figure 8 shows a label 23 that covers a part of the lower surface of the card 10, and a second different label 24 that contains technical suggestions so that the person who receives it places it in convenient places. Figure 9 shows a label 26 containing other useful information, such as the phrase of the day, a joke or something similar. Figure 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the presentation card is an enhanced card. The card is formed of a piece of card that is essentially twice the width and length of a normal business card (i.e., a maximum of about 4.5 inches by about 3.75 inches, and typically of about 4 inches by about 3.5 inches) , so that when the card is doubled in half it has the size of a normal business card (ie, a maximum of approximately 2 inches by approximately 3.5 inches). The folded card 30, in its folded configuration, has upper and lower surfaces 32 and 34 respectively, and an internal surface 36. Identification information of the presentation card, including at least the name of a person and contact information that identifies how the individual can be contacted, is printed on the upper external surface 32. At least one removable label 38 (and preferably a plurality of removable labels 38) is fixed to the inner surface 36 of the card 30, the labels 38 including a front side and a back side and an adhesive applied to the back side for affixing the label or labels to the inner surface 36 of the card 30. The labels bear printed at least part of the identification information of the presentation card, preferably at less the name of the individual and at least part of the contact information. One or more removable labels may also be affixed to the outer bottom surface 34 of the card 30, and said desirably similarly include identification information of the business card or other useful information, such as the phrase of the day, a joke, other information about the individual or his company, or something similar. The business cards in accordance with the invention may be made in a variety of convenient ways. For example, blank cards with pre-attached labels can be prepared, and on these cards the desired information can be printed on both sides. Alternatively, the cards can be printed on one side, and labels can be printed with adhesive on the back, and then affixed to the cards, either by the printer or manually. The union of the labels with adhesive on the back of the cards can be achieved in an appropriate way. For example, labels with adhesive on the back may adhere to a suitable release liner which in turn attaches firmly to the cards (for example, by means of a suitable permanent adhesive). Then the user removes the label from the release liner, which remains attached to the bottom of the presentation card. Alternatively, adhesive labels on the back may be made using a repositionable type adhesive (such as the type used in 3M® brand POST-IT NOTES® and other similar repositionable items), in which case labels may be affixed directly to the cards, thus eliminating the need for a release liner. If a release liner is used, then it is possible to print information on the release liner. This can be achieved either by printing the information on the outer surface of the release liner or, most preferably, a clear release liner is used and the information is printed on the back of the card under the release liner (or on the surface). internal of the release liner) so that the print can be seen through the release liner. Figure 11 shows the bottom surface of a card 40 similar to that illustrated in Figure 4except that in Figure 11 the information has been printed on the release liner 42 and several removable labels 14 have been removed, revealing a portion of the information printed on the release liner 42. Figure 12 shows the bottom portion of the card 40, with all labels 14 removed, revealing the complete release liner 40. Thus, in this modality, there are three surfaces on which information can be printed; the top surface, the release liner 42 of the bottom surface, and the labels 14 fixed to the release liner 42. If desired, the information printed on the release liner may be different from the information printed on the front surface and in the tags. For example, the release liner may be printed with information that identifies a supplier of the business card (eg, the printing press of the business card or the manufacturer of the material with which the card was made, or some other involved) in the manufacture or distribution of the business card). In this case, it may be desirable to print said information on the release liner with a lower density color (eg, using a very light color ink or a low percentage mesh), so that the information is identifiable to the attentive observer but in another way it does not interfere (similar to a watermark in other types of stationery products). Normally, a business card printer will provide the customer with the finished business card unit (including fixed printed labels). However, labels can also be made and sold separately. In such a situation, a customer may be provided with a supply of normal presentation cards and a separate supply of the corresponding printed labels. The client can then place the labels on the business cards as needed. Said cards would normally be mounted in a suitable release liner having adhesive on its back, covered with a second release liner. The user removes the second release liner and affixes the release liner (with the labels) to the back of the presentation card, thus completing the construction of the presentation card unit of the invention. The completed card can then be used as described above. Regardless of the construction method of the multi-purpose display card unit of the invention, a business man who receives a multi-use display card of the invention may use the peel-off labels in different ways. The labels may be peeled off and placed in a personal planner, or in a file cabinet related to the person identified on the business card, or on a conventional ROLODEX® style card or any other desired location. Businessmen with multiple offices may wish to take off the labels and place them in individual directories that are in multiple offices, thus making the information available to this person in multiple offices without having to manually copy the information on the card. In addition, if an acquaintance asks the businessman for a reference of one of this person's contacts, she can simply take off one of the labels of the business card for multiple uses of the contact and give it to her acquaintance. The business man will have the contact's original business card, and his acquaintance will have accurate information on how to communicate with the contact, all without having to copy the information from the business card. Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS: 1. A business card consisting of: a card the size of a wallet having an upper and lower surface, the identification information of the business card being printed on the upper surface; and a plurality of removable labels with adhesive on the back, fixed to the lower surface of the presentation card, each of the labels bearing the identification information of the presentation card.
2. 2. The business card unit of claim 1 wherein the business card has a maximum size of about 2.25 inches by about 3.75 inches (5.7 centimeters by 9.5 centimeters).
3. The business card unit of claim 1 wherein the presentation information of the business card printed on the surface of the card includes at least the name of an individual, and contact information that identifies how to communicate with the individual , the identification information of the business card is printed on each of the removable labels also including at least the name of the individual and at least part of the contact information.
4. The display card unit of claim 1 wherein each label includes a front side and a back side, the identification information is printed on the front side, and an adhesive is applied generally uniformly on substantially the entire side later.
5. 5. The presentation card unit of claim 1 further comprising a release liner disposed between the card and the labels with adhesive on the back.
6. The presentation card unit of claim 1 wherein the adhesive securing the labels to the card is a repositionable adhesive, whereby the labels can be affixed directly to the card without using a release layer.
7. The business card unit of claim 6, wherein each label includes a front side and a back side, the identification information is printed on the front side, and the repositionable adhesive is generally uniformly applied in virtually all the back side.
8. 8. The presentation card unit of claim 1 wherein the labels substantially cover the entire lower surface of the presentation card.
9. 9. A business card unit comprising: a card the size of a wallet having a maximum width and length of about 2.25 inches by about 3.75 inches (5.7 centimeters by 9.5 centimeters), the card having an upper and lower surface , carrying the identification information of the business card printed on the upper surface, including at least the name of an individual and contact information that identifies how to communicate with the individual; and a plurality of removable labels fixed to the entire lower surface of the presentation card and practically covering it, each label including a front side and a back side and an adhesive applied generally uniformly over the entire back side to fix the label to the card, with each printed label on the front side thereof at least part of the identification information of the business card, including at least the name of the individual and at least contact information.
10. 10. A business card unit comprising: a card the size of a wallet having a maximum width and length of about 2.25 inches by about 3.75 inches (5.7 centimeters by 9.5 centimeters), the card having an upper and lower surface , carrying the identification information of the business card printed on the upper surface, including at least the name of an individual and contact information that identifies how to communicate with the individual; and at least one removable label fixed to the underside of the presentation card, the label including a front side and a back side and an adhesive that is applied generally evenly over the entire back side to secure the label to the card carrying the printed label on the front side thereof at least part of the identification information of the business card, including at least the name of the individual and at least part of the contact information.
11. The business card unit of claim 10, further comprising a removable second label attached to the lower surface of the display card, the second removable label containing information other than the individual's name and contact information.
12. 12. An enhanced style business card unit comprising: a card formed from a piece of card stock with a maximum width and length of about 4.5 inches by about 3.75 inches (11.4 centimeters by 9.5 centimeters), the card being substantially doubled half to a maximum size of approximately 2.25 inches by 3.75 inches (5.7 centimeters by 9.5 centimeters), the card having folded upper and lower outer surfaces and an inner surface, with identification information of the business card, including at least the name of an individual and contact information that identifies how to contact the individual, printed on the outer top surface; and at least one removable label fixed to the inner surface of the card, including the label a front side and a back side and an adhesive applied to the back side to affix the label to the inner surface of the card, carrying the label printed at least part of the identification information of the business card, including at least the name of the individual and at least part of the contact information.
13. The business card unit of claim 12 further consisting of at least one removable label fixed to the outer surface of the card, each label including a front side and a back side and an adhesive applied to the part later to affix the label to the external surface of the card, and the card bears printed at least part of the identification information of the presentation card.
14. 14. An embossed style business card unit comprising: a card formed from a piece of card with a maximum width and length of about 4.5 inches by about 3.75 inches (11.4 centimeters by 9.5 centimeters), the card can be practically doubled in half to a maximum size of approximately 2.25 inches by approximately 3.75 inches (5.7 centimeters by 9.5 centimeters), the card having folded upper and lower outer surfaces and an inner surface, with identification information of the business card, including at least the name of an individual and contact information that identifies how to communicate with the individual, printed on the upper external surface; at least one removable label fixed to the inner surface of the card, the card including a front side and a back side and an adhesive applied to the back side to affix the label to the inner surface of the card; at least one removable label fixed to the lower outer surface of the card, the card includes a front side and a back side and an adhesive applied to the back side to affix the label to the outer surface of the card; and at least one of the labels carries at least some identification information of the business card, including at least the name of the individual and at least part of the contact information.
15. 15. A business card unit comprising: a card the size of a wallet having a top surface and a bottom one, carrying the identification information of the business card printed on the top surface; a release liner fixed to the bottom surface of the card; and one or more labels with adhesive on the back fixed to the release liner; each of the labels carries printed information above or below so that the removal of the labels shows the information printed above or below the release liner.
16. 16. The business card unit of claim 15 wherein the information printed on at least part of the labels includes at least some of the identification information of the business card printed on the top surface.
17. 17. The presentation card unit of claim 15 wherein the information printed on or under the release liner includes at least part of the identification information of the presentation card printed on the top surface.
18. 18. The presentation card unit of claim 15 wherein the information printed on or under the release liner includes information that identifies a supplier of the presentation card.
19. 19. The business card unit of claim 15 wherein the information printed on or under the release liner includes information that identifies a supplier of the business card.
20. 20. The presentation card unit of claim 15 wherein the information printed on or under the release liner is printed with a color of lower density than that of the information printed on the upper surface of the presentation card.