Patent Abstract:
The device comprises a card ( 10 ) for storage of coins ( 12 ), characterised by that the storage card ( 10 ) is shaped with at least one hole ( 12 ) or area to receive and fasten at least a coin ( 12 ) in a way that the coin ( 12 ) can be repeatedly taken out and fixed in the hole.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    The present invention regards a card for storage of coins, pogs and the like. More specific the invention concerns a card preferably of common bank and credit card size for fastening of coins, pogs or the like.  
           [0002]    In connection with the present invention the terms token and pog will be used interchangeable and are synonymous with coins and circular articles.  
           [0003]    The background for the present invention is the steady increasing use of bank cards and payment cards, and the simultaneous decreasing use and availability of coins. Despite this fact, there are still many fields where coins have to be used. Coins are e.g. used during shopping and retail purchasing in kiosks and shops, parking meter, toll roads and the like.  
           [0004]    Another important field is for using a shopping trolley (cart) in a shopping center. To ensure that the customer carries the shopping trolley back to the shop after use, some shopping centers have introduced a kind of deposit on the trolley. To utilize a shopping trolley, the customer has to insert a coin (10-kr or 20-kr) into a particular lock mounted on the shopping trolley. This coin is refunded to the customer when the trolley is brought back to the shop.  
           [0005]    A frequently occurring problem is that the customers often do not have the relevant coins and have to ask the employees of the shop to exchange another monetary unit. This can sometimes be irritating for the customer and disturbing for the employee.  
           [0006]    The present invention is also directed to another field, where today coins are used. This is in connection with luggage trolleys (carts) to be used by the passengers for transportation of suitcases and bags on airports, railway stations and other traffic junctions.  
           [0007]    The prior art describes different cardholders for fastening of coins, keys and the like items.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,037,716 describe a card with a die-cutted area for insertion of keys and coins. An adhesive transparent layer covers the die-cutted area with a gripping edge along one side for opening and closing.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,398 describe a card with a magnetic strip and a hole for mounting coins. It is important that the die-cutted hole has an exact dimension to remove the coin or secure it in the hole.  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,247 describe a card with die-cutted areas for spare keys, which is mounted in the areas by means of friction between the key and the card. On the backside of the card is an adhesive layer of the same size as the card, with possibility for advertising or information.  
           [0011]    These US patents have in common that they are complicated regarding manufacturing and structure, with peculiar pockets for keys and complex closing mechanisms.  
         SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE  
         [0012]    The present invention has a simpler configuration and consists of fewer components and is thus simpler and thus inexpensive in production.  
           [0013]    The primary object of the present invention is to increase the availability of coins, pogs and tokens especially for use in connection with shopping trolleys and luggage trolleys. The object of the invention is preferably achieved with a card of common credit card or bank card size, wherein there are one or more die-cutted holes for insertion of coins, pogs or tokens.  
           [0014]    More specific, the invention is directed to a device comprised of a card for keeping tokens, pogs or coins wherein the storage card has at least one hole, area or die-cutting to receive and fasten at least a token, pog or coin, wherein the token, pog or coin is circular and shaped with a groove, in a way that the token can be picked out and inserted into the hole several times.  
           [0015]    The card is intended to every day use. The card will be produced according to methods and technique of prior art. The card according to the invention may be made of one or more layers of PVC, the layers together constitute the required thickness, preferably 0.7-1 mm. PVC is used as it is a very applicable plastic which is well known from a plurality of products. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    The invention will be further explained with the aid of drawings, wherein  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a view of a card with an oval hole,  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a view of token/pog with a groove which runs circular along the edge seen from above and from one side,  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a view of a card with a cutted side for mounting of a token/coin,  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a view of a token/pog to be fastened to the card in FIG. 4,  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a view of a card with hole and a transverse groove for mounting of a token/coin,  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a view of the card according to FIG. 5 with a mounted pog/token,  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a view of a card with a hole which is exact adjusted to a token/pog to be mounted by means of frictional forces.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]    As can be seen from the drawings the card according to the invention preferably has a size as the known payment, credit or bankcards. The well known dimension of the card is: height 5.40 cm and length 8.57 cm, with tolerance limits in both directions +/−0.040 cm. The thickness of the card is 0.7-1 mm. The cards are produced in a suitable flexible material, preferably plastic as e.g. PVC.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is a card  10  with an oval hole  12 . The hole can be provided during production e.g. by die cutting. The hole  10  is located in the lower part of the card, but it can have an arbitrary placing on the card. It is also possible to have more than one hole in the card.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 displays the circular token/pog  11  with the groove  14  running circular along the edge. The groove is extending continuously around the circumference of the token and has a thickness that corresponds to the thickness of the card  10 , that is about 0.7-1 mm. The depth of the groove is also about 1 mm. The token with the groove  14  seen from one side, and the token seen from above is not depicted in the same scale.  
         [0027]    The oval hole is adjusted to fit the token  11 . The hole  12  in the card has an oval shape, as the smallest diameter is equal the diameter of the circular groove  14  of the token, and the larger diameter is larger than the diameter of the token. The token  11  is fitted in the card by pressing into the oval hole in a way that the groove gets in contact with the edges  15 ,  16  of the card. When the token is to be removed, the card is carefully bent and the token is picked out with a finger grip. The token is thus ready for use for instance in connection with a shopping- or luggage trolley. The empty card is then put into the wallet or other storage, to be used again when the utilization of the token is terminated. In this way the user will always have a token to be used during shopping or transportation.  
         [0028]    The token is preferably manufactured in plastic, but it can also be manufactured in another material as for instance a metal or an alloy.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 depicts a card  10  with a cutted or die-cutted side section  17 . The section is in the figure provided along one short side  18 , but an equivalent section can also be placed along the long side  19 , or both on the short side and the long side.  
         [0030]    The token/pog which is adjusted to this shaping is shown in FIG. 4. The circular token is provided with a center groove  20  extending from the outside towards the center of the diameter of the token. The depth of the groove  20  equals the radius of the token, and the width of the groove is in such a way that the token and the card is connected by means of frictional forces. The adjustment between token and card shall be such that the token can be removed and mounted without any problems. FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment wherein the hole  12  is divided with a transverse pole  21 . This embodiment of the card uses a token/pog as shown in FIG. 6, that includes a transverse groove, preferably being diametrical. To further ensure that the token does not fall off, this diametrical groove has a cut with a wide bottom and a narrow top. In this way it is possible to obtain a snap locking between token and card. The hole  12  in FIG. 5 is depicted circular, but can be oval as well.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 7 depicts a card provided with a pressed-out hole  25  for perfect adjustment for a token. The hole  25  is not through and is dependent on friction forces between the token and the card in a secure manner.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0