Abstract:
A business card is formed as a laminate comprising an information-carrying face sheet and a protective backing sheet which enhances the rigidity of the face sheet. The face sheet has a contact adhesive at its back surface which bonds the face sheet and backing sheet together, and is provided with a score cut about its edge portions which defines a lift-out panel whereon the information is printed and margin portions at the edges of the card. The backing sheet has a release surface engaging the lift-out panel permitting the lift-out panel to be removed and be affixed to other surfaces such as a file card while the marginal surfaces of the backing sheet engage the margin portions of the face sheet and are tightly and permanently adhered thereto. In the preferred embodiment, the release surface extends a short distance beyond the score cut to facilitate removal of the lift-out panel. The panel may be proportioned to properly fit the surface of file cards of standard sizes. Card stock for manufacturing the business card is also disclosed.

Description:
This is a Continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 177,375 filed Apr. 4, 1988 and entitled Adhesive Backed Business Card for Mounting on a File Card, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,392. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to information bearing cards such as business or calling cards (hereinafter referred to as &#34;business cards&#34;) and more particularly to a business card having an adhesive backed panel which may be mounted upon the file card of a file card storage system. 
     Many file card systems are available for use in storing, indexing, and retrieving information such as names, addresses, telephone numbers and the like. Typically, the user of such file card systems is required to remove a particular file or index card, and either print or type information upon same, the file or index card thereafter being reinserted into its holder or frame therefor. These conventional file card systems do not readily accommodate persons who may receive business or calling cards and the like (all such cards being generically referred to hereinafter as &#34;business cards&#34;), which persons may desire to not only file the information on such business card, but to retain the business cards per se&#39;. Such a person is required to remove a conventional file or index card from its frame or holder and print or type thereon the information obtained from a business card, with the business cards being thereafter stored in a haphazard fashion or even disposed of. 
     In the typical business setting, the transfer of information from a business card to a file or index card therefore requires a significant amount of effort, so much so that same is oftentimes overlooked. Further, the retention and storage of business cards is quite unorganized and such business cards are readily misplaced as a result. Also, the improved business cards, herein disclosed, may be used in other ways, such as pasting the cards on bulletin boards, affixing them to special correspondence and the like. 
     OBJECTS 
     A need clearly exists for a mechanism or system which eliminates the typical problem of haphazard storage of business cards and, at the same time, assures that the information on such business cards is readily and effectively available for storage and retrieval. It is the primary objective of the instant invention to provide an apparatus which satisfies this need, an apparatus which serves to readily and efficiently retain and display business cards. 
     A further objective of the instant invention concerns the provision of an apparatus which can markedly reduce the work effort involved in transferring pertinent information from a business card onto a file or index card. 
     Yet another objective of the instant invention is the provision of an apparatus which allows a business card to be directly affixed to a file or index card, thus eliminating the opportunity for a typist or secretary to make an error in transcribing information from the business card to the file or index card. 
     A further need exists in that business cards constructed according to the disclosure set forth in the prior Application Ser. No. 177,375 herein referred to, &#34;Adhesive Backed Business Card For Mounting On File Card,&#34; can, when used in a general manner and not as therein disclosed, be mishandled and abused to the point where the protective release sheet becomes separated from the adhesive backing. Bending the card or folding or `dog-earring` the corners can cause this. Another object of the invention is, thus, to provide a novel and improved business card which is sufficiently stiff and rigid and otherwise constructed as to retain its integrity, with the release sheet remaining in place until the card is ready for use. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     These as well as other objectives are implemented by the instant invention which, as aforementioned, is directed to the provision of an adhesive-backed business card which may be affixed to a file or index card which may, in turn, be carried in a frame means capable of holding a multiplicity of filed cards. Business cards and file cards are in extensive use throughout the country and, to a great extent, have become standardized in size and form. Thus, it becomes essential that the attachment of a business card to a file card be accomplished without requiring a variation of one or the other from a standardized size. 
     The difficulty in accomplishing this is clearly demonstrated by comparing the size of a standard business card with the size of a most popular file card of the type which is commonly carried upon a card-holding frame means. A common business card is 31/2 inches wide by 2 inches high. The popular file card has a usable face surface which is 4 inches wide and 13/4 inches high. Unless the business card is trimmed, it will not fit on the file card. 
     In essence, the present invention solves this problem by providing a business card having a contact-adhesive back surface normally covered by a release sheet which is to be removed when the card is to be mounted. The release sheet actually carries the business card, and the card is score-cut about its edge portion to provide a rectangular lift-out panel no more than 13/4 inches high and is proportioned to properly fit the available usable surface of the popular file card. All of the printed information on the business card is in the lift-out panel and thus, the lift-out panel forms a novel and useful combination with the popular sized file card in a simple, effective manner. 
     The problem brought about by the protective release sheet accidentally separating from the contact-adhesive back surface of the business card when the card is used for other purposes is minimized or substantially eliminated by eliminating the release sheet and providing a backing sheet treated with a release agent only at its central portion, at the area of the lift-out panel of the face sheet of the business card, with the untreated marginal edge portions of the backing sheet tightly and permanently to the marginal edges of the face sheet of the business card. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention itself will be better understood, and further features and advantages thereof will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred inventive embodiment, such description making reference to the appended four sheets of drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a file or index card displaying apparatus constructed in the form of a tray or box; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of a file or index card displaying apparatus constructed in the form of a rotary &#34;flipfile&#34;; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of a file or index card suitable for use with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of a common business card modified for use in the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the business card shown in FIG. 4 but with a face score-cut being specifically illustrated; 
     FIG. 6 is a transverse section of the card as taken from the indicated line 6--6 in FIG. 5 but on a greatly enlarged scale and with the center portion broken away to conserve space; 
     FIG. 7 is a fragmentary portion of the section shown at FIG. 6 but on a further enlarged scale; 
     FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the backing sheet which is mounted at the back of the face sheet, as would appear from the indicated line 8--8 at FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective illustration similar to FIG. 4 but with the lift-out panel of the business card being partially removed; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective illustration similar to FIG. 3 but showing the lift-out panel being mounted upon the file card; 
     FIG. 11 shows a stock sheet of business cards having a plurality of scores marked thereon suitable for supply to a printer; 
     FIG. 12 shows a portion of the sheet of FIG. 11 cut to a convenient size by the printer with custom printing thereof; 
     FIG. 13 shows a printed card being trimmed to size; 
     FIG. 14 shows the backing sheet portion of the stock sheet shown at FIG. 11 with cross hatching indicating areas treated with a release agent; 
     FIG. 15 is an elevational view of a business card similar to FIG. 5 but with a modified face score cut; 
     FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view, similar to FIG. 14 but showing an alternate arrangement of the release treated areas; 
     FIG. 17 shows a release sheet for a single card similar to FIG. 8 but with the alternate arrangement shown at FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 18 shows an elevational view similar to FIG. 15 but with a further modification of the face sheet, and with portions of the face sheet broken away to show parts otherwise hidden from view. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, one form of an apparatus is disclosed suitable for use in retaining and displaying business cards. The apparatus will be seen to comprise a frame means or card holder generally designated by reference numeral 10 adapted to receive and hold a multiplicity of planar sheets generally designated by reference numeral 20 which comprise file or index cards constructed in the manner depicted in FIG. 3, for example. 
     An alternative construction of a frame means is that depicted in FIG. 2, wherein the frame means 30 therein is constructed as a rotary &#34;flip-file&#34; containing a central wheel 40 having rods or channels 50 disposed thereon so as to hold the multiplicity of file or index cards 20 therein. As the rotary wheel 40 is turned, the multiplicity of file or index cards &#34;flip&#34; and the information upon each card is readily visible to the user. Frame means such as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are generally known to the public and can be obtained from most office supply sources. 
     With reference now to FIG. 3 of the application drawings, a typical planar sheet 60 constituting a file or index card is shown, the card being constructed of relatively stiff paper material. The card has a plane, flat surface consisting of two portions, an information carrying surface 65 and a mounting edge means 70 wherein means such as slots 75 may be provided for removably attaching the planar sheet or card 60 to the frame means 10 or 30 as shown in FIG. 1 or 2. The mounting edge means 70 can include attaching means other than slots 75, such as tabs, for example (not shown). The dashed line 80 between the information carrying surface 65 and the mounting edge means 70 defines the extent of the height `a` of the information carrying surface which on a popular sized file card 60 is 13/4 inches high. The width `b` of the card is normally 4 inches. 
     FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show the improved business card 85 which is preferably proportioned the same as standardized business cards, having a height `c` of 2 inches and a width `d` of 31/2 inches. This card is formed as a laminate of relatively stiff paper material including an information-carrying face sheet 85&#39; and a backing sheet 90. These sheets are secured together by a contact adhesive 95, FIG. 6. 
     A rectangular score 100 is cut in the face sheet 85&#39; about marginal edge portions of the face sheet to define a lift-out panel 105 and a marginal edge strip 110 about the panel. The lift-out panel 105 will contain the information printed on the face sheet and can be removed from the body of the card as hereafter described. To fit the usable face surface 65 of a file index card 60, the vertical space between the horizontal line positioned 115 of the score cut 100 must not be more, and preferably slightly less, than the height `a` shown at FIG. 3. Also the horizontal space between the vertical line portions 120 of the score cut 100 must not be more, and preferably slightly less, than the width `b` shown at FIG. 4. In a standard file card 60, where the width `b` is 4 inches and in a standard business card the width `d` is 31/2 inches, the vertical line portions 120 of the score cut 100 are unnecessary when used with standard file card 60. However, both the horizontal and vertical portions of the marginal edge strip 110 are desirable whenever the improved business card 85 is used for other purposes as hereinafter described. 
     The application of the lift-out panel 105 of the business card 85 to the file card 60 is very simple. As shown in FIG. 9, this panel 105 may be lifted from the business card 85 with the contact adhesive intact as will be described and simply affixed to the usable surface 65 of the file card 60 as shown in FIG. 10. It is to be noted that the panel 105 may also be used in a like manner with file cards larger than the file card 60 and for other similar purposes. 
     The backing sheet 90 of the business card 85 is adapted to be secured to the face sheet 85&#39; as a laminate by the contact adhesive 95 with this laminate forming a business card which in ordinary use is sufficiently stiff to resist inadvertent bending, especially at the corners. However, to permit the lift-out panel 105 to function as above described, the central portion of the backing sheet 90 is treated with a release agent to provide a release surface 125 which will not adhere with the contact adhesive layer 95 of the lift-out panel 105. At the same time, the edge margins 130 of the backing sheet 90 will be tightly and permanently bonded to the corresponding edge margins 110 of the face sheet 85&#39; 
     FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 illustrate the construction and components of the laminated business card 85. The face sheet 85, FIG. 5, includes printed information 135 within the liftout panel 105, the score cut 100 defining the panel and the marginal edge strip 110. The backing sheet 90, FIG. 8, includes the treated release surface 125 and the untreated edge margins 130. The release surface 125 is shaped and proportioned to match the lift-out panel 105 to permit the panel to be removed from the body of the card. Preferably, this release surface 125 will extend beyond the panel 105 surface defined by the score cuts 100 as indicated by `x` at FIG. 7. The extension or lap `x` need be only enough to assure easy removal of the lift-out panel. 
     It is to be noted that many types and grades of contact adhesives are available and a skilled technician can easily select a suitable contact adhesive for the purpose at hand. Release sheets and release agents are also well known to the art. However, applicant does not adopt the standard practice of treating an entire sheet with a release agent. Instead, applicants backing sheet 90 is of untreated cardboard or paper having a selected thickness and stiffness, and of a type which will accept and tightly adhere with the contact adhesive 95 at the back of the face sheet 85. A printing or lithographing operation is necessary to place the release agent on the backing sheet 90 to form the release surface 125 opposite the lift-out panel 105. A skilled printer or lithographer can select a suitable release agent material for this purpose, such, for example, a silicone-based oil having the general properties of an oil based ink. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 11 through 14, a manufacturing and assembly technique is depicted. Finished business card stock supplied by the manufacturer will include paper face card stock 140, FIG. 11 with the contact adhesive 95 at the back side. A protective backing sheet stock 145 FIG. 14 against the contact adhesive surface, and the score cuts 100 defining the lift-out panels 105. The business card stock 140 may be furnished as 81/2 by 11 inch sheets, which are suitable for printing a dozen cards. This card stock may be cut into smaller sections for printing as shown at FIG. 12 and finally as individual cards 85 as shown at FIG. 13. Other convenient sizes of stock and even continuous coils may also be furnished as desired depending upon the type of press available. In any event, in accordance with the invention the positioning of the cards on the sheet is predetermined. For example, FIG. 11 shows an 81/2 by 11 inch sheet 140 wherefrom twelve conventionally sized 2 by 31/2 inch business cards 85 may be produced with a minimum of stock loss. The panels 105 on this sheet may be cut by score dies after assembly of the face sheet and backing sheet with the sheet being precisely positioned by registration as other registration means at the edges of the sheet. 
     The backing sheet stock 145, FIG. 14, must be prepared in advance to its positioning on the face card stock 140 to form and properly locate the release surface areas 125. Precise registration of the backing sheet stock 145 with the face sheet 140 is thus essential; however, such is not beyond the ability of a manufacturer. A backing sheet stock 145 is sized to match the paper face sheet card stock 140, shown at FIG. 11, and with suitable registration means 150 to provide perfect registration therewith. A similar procedure is possible when other sizes of stock are used. 
     FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 illustrate an alternate construction of a business card 85a. As shown at FIG. 15, in this arrangement vertical line portions 120a of the score cuts 100a are used to provide vertical edge margins 110a, while the horizontal line portions and horizontal edge margins are omitted. Accordingly, the lift out panel 105a extends from the top to the bottom of the card. This arrangement may be reversed with vertical edge margins being eliminated and horizontal edge margins being provided. 
     The advantage of this arrangement lies in a significant simplification of the printing, scoring and application of a release agent 125a. To the backing sheet 90a for some, or even all of these, operations may be done continuously on a coater roll-type press in the arrangement illustrated at FIG. 16. The backing sheet stock 145a received continuous strips of release agents to provide continuous release surfaces 125a. Accordingly, registration in the vertical dimension is not critical. As long as the vertical edge margins 130a, as shown at FIG. 17 register with the vertical marginal edge strips 110a shown at FIG. 15, the height of the card may be optional. Although the construction of the card 85a will not be as rigid as card 85, the corners of the card 85a and the vertical edges 110a will be reinforced and protected from separating. 
     A further modification of the invention is illustrated at FIG. 18 where the business card 85b is formed with the backing sheet 90a having opposing vertical edge margins 130a and a release agent 125a in the area between the edge margins. A modified face sheet 85b&#39; having a contact adhesive at its back side secures the face sheet 85b&#39; to the backing sheet 90a at the edge margins 130a as illustrated. However, the score cut 100b is not at these edge margins 130a as heretofore described but well within the area of the central portion of the backing sheet which is treated with a release agent. This score cut 100b  defining a lift-out panel 105b may extend completely around the panel 105b as illustrated or otherwise as desired. 
     In use, a business card formed as described herein is affixed to a file or index card, which file or index card would then be placed within the frame means or holding mechanisms 10 or 20. No laborious transfer of information from the business cards to the file or index cards is required, and the business cards are safely stored in a well-organized manner. Also, the business cards may be used in an ordinary manner without the edges of the backing sheet being unintentionally separated from the face sheet before the panel is ready to be lifted from the body of the card to affix it to a file or index card or to any other surface, such as a bulletin board or the like. 
     It should now be recognized that the objectives set forth at the outset of this specification have been successfully achieved.