Abstract:
A flat mailable subcard holder is disclosed which, in some embodiments, includes a first planar portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface defines a first portion of a recess, a second planar portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface defines a second portion of a recess, and a hinge area, wherein the hinge area couples the first planar portion to the second planar portion, and wherein the first portion of the recess and the second half of the recess are to form a container sized to hold a subcard when the first planar portion is to be folded onto the second planar portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    A typical data card issuance process involves a data card issuer personalizing a card for a cardholder (a used herein, a “customer”) and then “fulfilling” the card by mailing the card to the customer. As used herein, a “data card” may be a payment card such as a credit card, debit card, smart card, or other card that may be personalized and issued to a customer. In a typical fulfillment process, the data card is mass-distributed from fulfillment centers after the card has been personalized for issuance to a cardholder. Cards are generally mailed to customers after each card has been embossed or otherwise personalized for individual customers. To minimize manufacturing and distribution costs, cards are typically mailed in standard business envelopes. 
         [0002]    Some data cards may be used with holders or cases. For example, “contactless” payment cards such as MasterCard® PayPass® cards allow cardholders to make a purchase by simply tapping the payment card on a point-of-sale device. Many PayPass cardholders prefer to carry their PayPass cards on their keychain or in a protective carrying case. The protective cover helps protect the data card and also is shaped to make it easier for a cardholder to hold, carry and use the card. 
         [0003]    While the data card itself may be easily and inexpensively mass distributed to a large number of cardholders, mass-distributing a protective cover is not as easy or inexpensive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of an apparatus according to some embodiments. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of an apparatus according to some embodiments. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of an apparatus according to some embodiments. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a method according to some embodiments. 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of a system according to some embodiments. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of an apparatus according to some embodiments. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is a diagram of an apparatus according to some embodiments. 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is a diagram of an apparatus according to some embodiments. 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  is a diagram of an apparatus according to some embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  is a diagram of an apparatus according to some embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The several embodiments described herein are solely for the purpose of illustration. Embodiments may include any currently or hereafter-known versions of the elements described herein. Therefore, persons in the art will recognize from this description that other embodiments may be practiced with various modifications and alterations. 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of mailing kit  100  is shown. The mailing kit  100  may comprise a backing  110 , a subcard  115  having a subcard attachment  114 , and a foldable card holder  117 . The backing  110  may be folded into one or more sections  111 ,  112 ,  113 . The backing  110  may comprise, but is not limited to, card stock, cardboard, paper, or plastic. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the backing  110  may have a first section  111 , a second section  112 , and a third section  113 . The first section  111  may include printed or embossed information associated with a customer such as, but not limited to, address information, customer information, instructions, or other information. The backing  110 , when folded, may be sized to fit into a mailer. The mailer may comprise, but is not limited to, an envelope, a bag, a box, or any suitable packaging. The subcard  115  and the subcard attachment  114  may be removably attached to a section  111 ,  112 ,  113  of the backing. 
         [0016]    The subcard attachment  114  and the subcard  115  are, in some embodiments, manufactured as a single card (e.g., such as a card sized and formatted in compliance with ISO Standard 7816) using existing card manufacturing processes. The subcard  115  portion of the card may be detached from the subcard attachment  114  portion of the card at a crease  116  or seam. In some embodiments, the crease  116  may be a scored edge. For example, when a customer receives the mailer, both the subcard attachment  114  and the subcard  115  are removed from the mailer and the customer can detach the subcard  115  from the subcard attachment  114  by bending or cutting at the crease  116 . In some embodiments, the crease  116  is a perforated or scored line that makes it easy for a customer to detach the subcard  115  from the subcard attachment  114 . The subcard attachment  114  may include printed or embossed information such as, but not limited to, address information, customer information, instructions, or other information. 
         [0017]    The subcard  115  may include printed or embossed information such as, but not limited to, a customer&#39;s name, an account number, an expiration date, a “member since” date, a logo, or a trademark. The subcard  115  may also include a chip and an antenna. In some embodiments the chip may be coupled to the antenna and the chip. In some embodiments, the subcard  115  may be about 54 millimeters at its longest point and about 30 millimeters at its widest point. In some embodiments, the subcard  115  may be about 0.68 millimeters thick. In some embodiments, the subcard  115  may be about 54 millimeters at its longest point and about 18 millimeters at its widest point. In some embodiments, the data card may be a contactless card. 
         [0018]    The foldable card holder  117  may be removably attached to a section  111 ,  112 ,  113 . The foldable card holder  117  may comprise a first portion  118 , a second portion  120 , and a third portion  119 . The first portion may comprise a first key ring hole  121  and the third portion  119  may comprise a second key ring hole  122 . The second portion  120  may include a third key ring hole  123  and a recessed area  126  below the planar surface of the third portion  119  to house the subcard  115 . 
         [0019]    The first portion  118  may be coupled to the second portion  120  at a crease  125  and the second portion  120  may be coupled to the third portion  119  by a second crease  124 . In some embodiments, the crease  125  may be flexible, allowing the first portion  118  to fold onto the second portion  120  and the crease  124  may be flexible, allowing the third portion  119  to fold onto the second portion  120 . When folded, the first key ring hole  121  may be aligned with the second key ring hole  122  and the third key ring hole  123  such that a key ring may pass through the first key ring hole  121 , the second key ring hole  122 , and the third key ring hole  123 . In some embodiments, when folded, the first portion  118  the second portion  120 , and the third portion  119  may be about 5.4 millimeters thick. 
         [0020]    Now Referring to  FIG. 2 , an embodiment of a mailing kit  200  is shown. The mailing kit  200  may comprise a backing  210 , a subcard  215  removably coupled to a subcard attachment  214  by a crease  216  (or scored or perforated line), and a foldable card holder  217 . The backing  210 , the subcard  215 , and the subcard attachment  214  may be as described with respect to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0021]    The foldable card holder  217  may comprise a first portion  218 , and a second portion  220 . In some embodiments, the fist portion  218  and the second portion  220  may be planar. The first portion may comprise a first key ring hole  221 , a first feed gate  224 , a first rubber ring  223  within the first key ring hole  221  and a first recess  225 . The second portion may comprise a second key ring hole  222 , a second feed gate  229 , a second rubber ring  223  within the second key ring hole  222  and a second recess  226 . In some embodiments, the first recess  225  and the second recess may be used to open the foldable card holder  217 . For example, when folded, the first recess  225  and the second recess  226  may combine to form a recess capable of partially holding an inserted object, such as, but not limited to, a coin. Twisting the object when inserted into the recess  225 ,  226 , or using the object as a lever, may separate the first portion  218  from the second portion  220 . 
         [0022]    The first portion  218  may have a first recessed area  227  and the second portion may have a second recessed area  228 . The first recessed area  227  when folded onto the second recessed area  228  may form a container to house the subcard  215  and in some embodiments may be about 5.4 millimeters thick. 
         [0023]    The first portion  218  may be coupled to the second portion  220  by a hinge  219 . The hinge  219  may be flexible, allowing the first portion  218  to fold onto the second portion  220 . In some embodiments, the hinge  219  may be rigid and when folded may act as a rigid fastener or locking hinge between the first portion  218  and the second portion  220 . In some embodiments, when the first portion  218  is folded onto the second portion  220 , the first key ring  221  may align with the second key ring  222 , the first feed gate  224  may align with the second feed gate  229 , and the first recessed area  227  may align with the second recessed area  228 . In some embodiments, when the first key ring hole  221  is aligned with the second key ring hole  222  a key ring may be passed between through the first feed gate  224  and the second feed gate  229 . In some embodiments, the first portion  218  may be about 61.47 millimeters at a longest point and about 37.47 millimeters at a widest point. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , an embodiment of a mailing kit  300  is shown. The mailing kit  300  may comprise a backing  310 , a subcard  315  having removably coupled to one or more subcard attachments  314  by one or more creases  316  (or scored or perforated line), and a foldable card holder  317 . The backing  310 , the subcard  315 , and the one or more subcard attachments  314  may be as described with respect to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0025]    The foldable card holder  317  may comprise a first portion  318 , and a second portion  320 . The first portion  318  may include a first key ring hole  321  and the second portion may contain a second key ring hole  322  and a recessed area  326  below the planar surface of the second portion  320  to house the subcard  315 . 
         [0026]    The first portion  318  may be coupled to the second portion  320  by a crease  319 . In some embodiments, the crease  319  may be flexible, allowing the first portion  318  to fold onto the second portion  320 . In some embodiments, when the first portion  318  is folded onto the second portion  320 , the first key ring hole  321  may be aligned with second key ring hole  322  such that a key ring may pass through the first key ring hole  321  and the second key ring hole  322 . In some embodiments, when folded, the first portion  318  and the second portion  320  may be about 5.4 millimeters thick. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of a method  400 . At  401 , a subcard such as, but not limited to, the subcard described in  FIG. 1  may be removably attached to a backing. The backing may comprise, but is not limited to, card stock, cardboard, paper, or plastic and the subcard may be removably attached using any available means, such as, but not limited to, glue, rubber cement, wax, and plastic. 
         [0028]    At  402 , a foldable card holder may be removably attached to the backing. The foldable card holder may be any card holder such as, but not limited to, the foldable card holders of mailing kit  100 ,  200 , or  300 . The foldable card holder may be removably attached to the backing using any available means, such as, but not limited to, glue, rubber cement, wax, plastic cement, and plastic. 
         [0029]    The backing is folded at  403 . The backing may be folded in any configuration that allows the backing, the removably attached subcard, and the removably attached foldable card holder to fit in a mailer such as, but is not limited to, an envelope, a bag, a box, or any suitable packaging. 
         [0030]    At  404 , the backing may be inserted into a mailer. In some embodiments, the subcard and the foldable card holder may be removably attached to the backing when the backing is inserted into the mailer. 
         [0031]    Now referring to  FIG. 5 , an embodiment of a system is shown. The system  500  may implement process  400  according to some embodiments. The system may comprise a backing  502  and a mailer  501  to hold the backing  502 . The backing  502  may be as described with respect to  FIG. 1  and the mailer  501  may be, but is not limited to, an envelope, a bag, a box, or any known or hereafter known packaging. 
         [0032]    The backing  502  may be folded such that it may be contained within the mailer  501 . In some embodiments, the mailer containing the backing  502  may be about 5.4 millimeters thick. 
         [0033]    Now referring to  FIG. 6 , an embodiment of a foldable card holder  600  is shown. In some embodiments, the foldable card holder  600  may comprise a first portion  618 , a second portion  620 , and a third portion  619 . The first portion may comprise a first key ring hole  621 . The third portion  619  may comprise a second key ring hole  622 . The second portion  620  may contain a third key ring hole  623  and a recessed area  626  below the planar surface of the second portion  620  to house a subcard. A fist crease  625  may couple the first portion  618  to the second portion  620  and a second crease  624  may couple the third portion to the second portion. In some embodiments, the first crease  625  may be flexible, allowing the first portion  618  to fold onto the second portion  620 . In some embodiments, the second crease  624  may be flexible, allowing the third portion  619  to fold onto the second portion  620 . In one embodiment, when folded in a manner as shown in  FIG. 6 , the first key ring hole  621  may be aligned with second key ring hole  622  and the third key ring hole  623  such that a key ring may pass through the first key ring hole  621 , the second key ring hole  622 , and the third key ring hole  623 . 
         [0034]    Now referring to  FIG. 7 , an embodiment of an apparatus  700  is shown. In some embodiments, the apparatus  700  may be a foldable card holder. The apparatus  700  may comprise a first portion  718 , and a second portion  720 . The first portion may comprise a first key ring hole  721 , a first feed gate  724 , a first rubber ring  723  within the first key ring hole  721 , a first seal  729 , and a first recess  725 . The second portion may comprise a second key ring hole  722 , a second seal  730 , and a second recess  726 . 
         [0035]    The first portion  718  may have a first recessed area  727  and the second portion may have a second recessed area  728 . The first recessed area  227  when folded onto the second recessed area  728  may house a subcard and in some embodiments may be about 5.4 millimeters thick. 
         [0036]    The first portion  718  may be coupled to the second portion  720  by a hinge  719 . The hinge  719  may be flexible, allowing the first portion  718  to fold onto the second portion  720 . In some embodiments, the hinge  719  may be rigid and when folded may act as a rigid fastener between the first portion  718  and the second portion  720 . When folded, the first key ring hole  721  may align with the second key ring hole  722  and the first recessed area  727  may align with the second recessed area  728 . In some embodiments, when a the first key ring  721  is aligned with the second key ring  722  the rubber ring  723  may create a seal between the first key ring hole  721  and the second key ring hole  722  to prevent liquid or debris from entering the foldable card holder. 
         [0037]    The first seal  729  and the second seal  730  may couple the first portion  718  to the second portion  720 . The first seal  729  may comprise a snap, a flexible lip, or a dovetail such that it may be coupled with a corresponding snap, flexible lip, or dovetail of the second seal  730 . 
         [0038]    Now referring to  FIG. 8 , a side view of an apparatus  800  is shown. The apparatus  800  may comprise a first portion  801 , an overmold  802 , a second portion  803 , one or more locking mechanisms  800 A, and a hinge  805 . The hinge  805  may comprise, but is not limited to, rubber or plastic. The hinge  805  may allow the first portion  801  to fold onto the second portion. The first portion  801  may be coupled to the second portion  803  by the locking mechanism  800 A and the overmold  802 . 
         [0039]    Now referring to  FIG. 8A , an embodiment of a locking mechanism  800 A is shown. The locking mechanism  800 A may comprise a locking feature  804  and a guide  805 . The guide  805  may align first portion  801  with second portion  802  such that the locking feature  804  may couple first portion  801  to the second portion  803 . In one embodiment the locking mechanism  804  may couple first portion  801  with second portion  803  by inserting a convex piece of the first portion  801  into a concave piece of the second portion  802 . The locking mechanism  800 A may not extend past a bottom surface of the first portion  801  or the second portion  802 . 
         [0040]    Now referring to  FIG. 9 , a side view of an apparatus  900  is shown. The apparatus  900  may comprise a hinge  919 , a key ring  921 , a rubber ring  923  and an outside surface  906 . The hinge  919  may comprise, but is not limited to, a rubber or plastic. The outside surface may be a highly polished finished material such as, but not limited to, metal, plastic, colored polypropylene, and clear polypropylene. 
         [0041]    Now Referring to  FIG. 10 , an embodiment of a mailing kit  1000  is shown. The mailing kit  1000  may comprise a backing  1010 , a subcard  1015  removably coupled to a subcard attachment  1014  by a crease  1016 , and a foldable card holder  1017 . The backing  1010 , the subcard  1015 , and the subcard attachment  1014  may be as described with respect to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0042]    The foldable card holder  1017  may comprise a first portion  1018 , and a second portion  1020 . In some embodiments, the fist portion  1018  and the second portion  1020  may be planar. The first portion  1018  may comprise a first key ring hole  1021 , a first connector  1024 , a second connector  1025 , a first tab  1030 , a second tab  1031 , a third tab  1032 , a fourth tab  1033  and a first rubber ring  1023  within the first key ring hole  1021 . 
         [0043]    The second portion  1020  may comprise a second key ring hole  1022 , a third connector  1029 , a fourth connector  1026 , a fifth tab  1034 , a sixth tab  1035 , a seventh tab  1036 , an eighth tab  1037  and a second rubber ring  1023  within the second key ring hole  1022 . 
         [0044]    In some embodiments, the plurality of connectors  1024 / 1025 / 1026 / 1029  and the plurality of tabs  1030 - 1037  may couple the first portion to the second portion. For example, when folded, the first connector  1024  and the third connector may interlock such that the first portion  1018  and the second portion  1020  may be coupled. In a similar fashion, the second connector  1025  may interlock with the fourth connector  1026 , the first tab  1030  may interlock with the fifth tab  1034 , the second tab  1031  may interlock with the sixth tab  1035 , the third tab  1032  may interlock with the seventh tab  1036 , and the fourth  1033  tab may interlock with the eighth tab  1037 . In some embodiments, the distance between the first tab  1030  and the fourth tab  1032  may be about 18 millimeters. 
         [0045]    The first portion  1018  may have a first recessed area  1027  and the second portion may have a second recessed area  1028 . The first recessed area  1027  when folded onto the second recessed area  1028  may form a container to house the subcard  1015  and in some embodiments may be about 5.4 millimeters thick. The first portion  1018  may be coupled to the second portion  1020  by a hinge  1019 . The hinge  1019  may be flexible, allowing the first portion  1018  to fold onto the second portion  1020 . In some embodiments, the hinge  1019  may be rigid and when folded may act as a rigid fastener or locking hinge between the first portion  1018  and the second portion  1020 . 
         [0046]    Various modifications and changes may be made to the foregoing embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope set forth in the appended claims.