Patent Abstract:
A telephone calling card with multiple uses. It may be dispensed from a machine or a holding rack. It has a prolonged original lifespan as values may be added to it. It improves accessibility to the visually handicapped as the tactile format may be used in recording information. It improves security as it is in sections, one section of which conceals the PIN when the card in use. A separate security measure takes the form of a sound BRUSH which, when activated, emits a predetermined sound signal which is recognized by the user&#39;s card carrier company to allow the card to be activated by the PIN. Foldout panels provide coupons, advertising, or room for adding information. The card has many uses following its use as a telephone calling card. In another embodiment, a strip has a self-adhering coating on its back and contains information on the front which is covered by a peel-off adhesive covering. This strip is intended to be sent to people to allow them to make phone calls to the sender of the strip, which phone calls will be paid for by the sender. In a third embodiment, a card has front and rear panels. The rear panel contains adhesive which is covered by a peelable strip. The front panel contains a sound brush, a PIN, and a magnetic strip for recording information. The sound brush may be on the curved corner of the card. This card contains foldout panels for containing coupons, advertisements, or additional information.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/898,252, filed Jul. 7, 1997 which is a continuation-in-part of application, Ser. No. 08/806,324, filed Feb. 26, 1997, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to telephone calling cards with increased surface area for information, improved ease of distribution, improved security, increased accessibility to the visually impaired, a multiplicity of uses after their use as telephone calling cards no longer exists, and a means for allowing the receiver of a written communication to contact the sender by telephone at no expense to the receiver. 
     2. Description of the Related Art The art is aware of telephone calling cards. Such cards may be purchased having a fixed value for making calls from any touch-tone telephone. The typical card is the size and shape of a typical credit card so as to conveniently fit into a card carrying case. Some telephone calling cards, as exemplified by those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,308,121 and 5,503,434 to Gunn, contain expanded surface areas for holding additional identification or other information. Such cards generally are made of plastic, have magnetized tape for an added value of the card, and embossed or printed information on the card. Their increasing popularity and their short lifespan leads to huge amounts of plastic waste material to be discarded each year. While in use, the personal identification number is usually exposed, leading to a compromise of the security of the card. Such cards are virtually useless to the millions of visually handicapped people in the United States who are unable to distinguish conventional printed personal identification marks. 
     The prior art is also aware of stick-and-peel labels on stick-and-peel sheets, as is exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,726 to Tulbott. This patent is concerned with providing return address labels with written correspondence, and is not concerned with providing security measures. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,093 to Zeisky et al teaches a card device having a front cover, a back cover, and foldout panels for containing information. This card is difficult to make as it requires a heat seal attachment between the front and rear panels and is not intended to be used as a telephone calling card. 
     The present invention seeks to overcome the above deficiencies in telephone calling cards while maintaining their beneficial features. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The telephone card of the present invention shares some of the beneficial features of the prior art cards. It has expanded surfaces for additional information or coupons. These surfaces take the form of foldout panels which fit inside the card when it is not in use. In one embodiment, the card comprises three card panels foldably joined side-by-side. There is at least one sound brush which emits a predetermined sound when activated as by swiping the card across telephone mouthpiece perforations. This predetermined sound operates in combination with the personal identification number to ensure user security. Additional security is provided by the way the card is configured. The personal identification number is viewable only by the user when the card is in use and cannot be seen by a bystander. This added security is accomplished by folding outer panels of the card upwardly so that the personal identification number in the central panel cannot be seen by bystanders. Also, added security is achieved by printing the personal identification number in alternating shades of black and gray making discernment of the personal identification number impossible from a distance. In order to be useful to the visually handicapped, the card has necessary information in tactile form. The card of the present invention may be easily dispensed by machine, dispensed from a cash drawer, or may be displayed on a rack for sale. The card contains a magnetic strip which records additional information. Value may be added to the card by appropriate known methods, thus resulting in a prolonged lifespan for the card. A barometric weather strip which indicates barometric changes by changes in color of the strip may be located on the opposite edge of the card from the magnetized strip or other convenient location. Following its lifespan as a telephone calling card, the card of the present invention contains additional uses due to scoring of the card. One panel contains a V-shaped pattern of scoring, which when opened makes that panel suitable for use as a bookmark. The card of this invention is made of biodegradable vinyl plastic or polyester plastic, paper or cardboard and has an attractive appearance. Thus, a second pattern of scoring which consists of two parallel fines which run parallel to the side edges of a card member results in a band which, along with the remainder of the card, forms a curved opening. This opening can be used to hold hair in the form of pony tails in place. A third pattern of scoring is an X. When opened, this forms a resilient opening which is suitable for the holding of flexible items, like dollar bills or notes. The card has the thickness of a typical telephone card. Each section is made of a bottom cover, a top cover, and a plurality of abutting nibs. This allows for the manufacture of a card of conventional size and strength, yet which contains less material. The result is a card which is less expensive to manufacture. Thus, it may be readily seen that this card has unexpected security, less cost, more space, and accessibility advantages when used as a telephone calling card, and continues to be useful after its use as such. 
     A card of another embodiment of the present invention may be sent as a secured attachment to a piece of written correspondence. This card provides the receiver with information which prompts a telephone call by the receiver to the sender at no cost to the receiver. This card is made up of a strip of paper, cardboard or vinyl or polyester plastic containing information allowing the receiver to call the sender at no cost to the receiver. This strip is adhered to a piece of correspondence by peeling off a protective strip to expose the self-adherent rear surface of the strip. The information on the front of the strip is secured from view by a self-adhering opaque cover. 
     A third embodiment of the invention contains a card which is folded into front and rear panels. The outer surface of the rear panel contains a self-adherent adhesive covered by a peelable strip. This allows the card to be attached to correspondence in the manner of the card of the second embodiment. The outer surface of the front panel contains useful information such as personal identification number in printed and tactile form, magnetic strip for retaining a record of information on the card, and a sound brush. Upon unfolding the card, sheets for additional information, advertising, and coupons are accessed. 
     When finally disposed of the fact that the cards of this invention are made of biodegradable materials rather than non-biodegradable plastic helps reduce the rate of growth of the mountain of waste which is jeopardizing the environment of the United States. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the front of the expanded card of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the back of the expanded card of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the front of first and second card panels of the first embodiment of the invention with a magnetic strip and two sound brushes. 
     FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the front of the first card panel of a card of the first embodiment of the invention showing a V-shaped perforation pattern. 
     FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the front of the second card panel of a card of the first embodiment of the invention showing two parallel lines as a perforation pattern. 
     FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the front of the three card panels of a card of the first embodiment showing a V-shaped perforation pattern, an X-shaped perforation pattern and an opening for mounting on a display rack. 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a foldable connection between two card members for use in the first and third embodiments of this invention. 
     FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a card panel of the first and third embodiments of the invention showing a bottom cover, a top cover, and abutting nibs. 
     FIG. 9 shows a top view of a sound brush portion of a card according to this invention. 
     FIG. 10 shows a side view of a portion of a card containing a sound brush on a surface of the card. 
     FIGS. 11 through 15 are top elevational views of projections suitable in the sound brushes located on the surfaces of cards of the present invention. 
     FIG. 16 is a top elevational view of a sound brush located at a corner of a card of the present invention. 
     FIG. 17 is a top elevational view of a closed card of the present invention showing a sound brush located in a comer. 
     FIG. 18 is a top elevational view showing the bottom surface of the opaque security strip and the top surface of the strip containing directions in the second embodiment of this invention. 
     FIG. 19 is a top elevational view of the elements of the second embodiment of this invention showing the assembled strips of FIG. 18 in place on a sheet of correspondence. 
     FIG. 20 is an exploded view showing the components of a card of the third embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 21 is an elevational perspective view showing the rear aspect of a card of the third embodiment of this invention. 
     FIG. 22 is an elevational perspective view showing the front aspect of a card of the third embodiment of this invention. 
     FIG. 23 is an elevational perspective view showing the front of a card of the third embodiment of this invention applied to a sheet of correspondence. 
     FIG. 24 is an elevational perspective view showing the opened arrangement of a card of the third aspect of this invention and magnified views of abutment lines. 
     FIG. 24 a  is an enlargement taken along line A-A′ of FIG.  24 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention will now be described with reference to the above-mentioned drawing, like numerals referring to like features throughout the description. 
     The telephone calling card  1  of the first embodiment of present invention may contain one, two or three card panels  2 . 
     In a first example, a single card panel  2  is present, which card panel  2  contains a front surface  3 , a rear surface  4 , opposing side edges  5 , and opposing end edges  6 . A sound brush  7 , a printed personal identification number  8  (preferably in figures of alternating black and shades of gray) and a personal identification number in tactile form  9  are present on the front surface  3 . Additional features, such as the provider&#39;s logo  51 , are in tactile form. 
     In a second example, first  10  and second  11  card panels  2  are present. Each panel contains a front surface  3 , a rear surface  4 , opposing side edges  5 , and opposing end edges  6 . The card panels  2  are foldably attached along their mutual side edge  5 . The first card panel  10  contains a sound brush  7  on the front surface  3  thereof. The second card panel  11  contains a printed personal identification number  8  (preferably in figures of alternating black and shades of gray) and a personal identification number in tactile form  9  on the front surface  3  thereof Alternatively, a sound brush  7  may be present on the front surface  3  of each of the first  10  and second  11  card panels and so arranged so that when the first  10  and second  11  card panels are closed upon themselves, the sound brushes  7  will abut. 
     An additional location for the sound brush  7  is on a curved corner  52  of a card panel  10   12   202 . 
     In a third, and preferred, example of the multiple purpose telephone calling card  1  of the present invention, first  10 , second  11 , and third  12  card panels are present. Each card panel  2  contains a front surface  3 , a rear surface  4 , opposing side edges  5 , and opposing end edges  6 . The first  10  and second  11  card panels are foldably connected at their mutual side edge  5  and the second  11  and third  12  card panels are foldably connected at their mutual side edge  5 . Any known method of foldably connecting the card panels  2  is contemplated, however in the preferred embodiment all three card panels  2  are manufactured from a single piece of material and the card panels  2  are thicker than the foldable connection  13 . This difference in thickness is caused by pressure on the foldable connection  13  during manufacture and allows for ease in the folding process. Alternatively, the card panels  2  may be made from single panels folded along perforated lines. 
     The third card panel  12  contains a hole  14  which is near the unattached side  5  and about midway between the opposing end edges  6 . This hole  14  allows for increased visibility and easy access when the card  1  is held on a display rack of a retail establishment. 
     The first  10 , second  11 , and third  12  card panels will fold over each other. More specifically, the front  3  of the first  10  and second  11  panels fold together and the front  3  of the third card panel  12  folds to abut the rear surface  4  of the first card panel  10 . Foldout panels  15 , described below, fold together and fit between the front surfaces  3  of the first  10  and second  11  card panels. 
     The card  1  may also be dispensed from machines. For this purpose, the card contains a magnetized strip  16  along the free end edges  6  of the first  10  and second  11  card panels. This magnetized strip  16  contains the coding for amount of the value of the card  1 . The value of the card  1  may be periodically increased by known methods, thereby extending the life of the card  1 . The card  1  preferably contains a barometric weather strip  17  which indicates barometric pressure. Users can thereby be aware of changes in the barometric pressure, and can anticipate changes in the weather. Such strips  17  are conventional in the art as applied to other bases. 
     The telephone calling card  1  of the present invention contains a personal identification number  8  to be used to identify the user. For increased security, this number  8  is located on the front surface  3  of the second card panel  11 . The personal identification number  8  may thus be shielded from the view of bystanders by the inward folding of the first  10  and third  12  card panels. For increased security, the figures in the personal identification number  8  are printed in alternating black and gray shades. This makes it virtually impossible for anyone except the user to read the personal identification number  8 . In addition to having the personal identification number  8  printed or embossed on the second card panel  11 , it is also presented in tactile form  9  such as Braille to allow use by those who are visually handicapped. Although the location of this tactile information  9  is critical, it is preferred that it be located on the second card panel  11 . As the below-described foldout panels  15  are made of strong, thin paper, a visually handicapped user can use these areas to hold additional tactile information. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the card panels  2  are made of biodegradable vinyl plastic, biodegradable polyester plastic, cardboard, or strong paper. In order to conserve materials, each card panel  2  has a bottom cover  18 , a top cover  19  and a plurality of strength-providing abutting nibs  20 . In this way, the central space may be largely hollow, thus providing a saving of raw materials. the manufacture of card panels  2  of this configuration is simple. Bottom  18  and top  19  covers are provided with nibs  20 , preferably by molding. The nibs  20  are then adhesively permanently connected to form a card panel  2 . 
     The telephone calling card  1  of the present invention contains at least one sound brush  7 . The sound brush  7  is an area established on the card  1  at the time of manufacture. This can be done by means known in the art, such as embossing or stamp cutting. When one sound brush  7  is employed, its location is not critical, and it is preferred that it be located on the front surface  3  of the first card panel  10 . Alternatively, for simplicity of manufacture, the sound brush  7  may be located on a curved corner  52  of a card  1 . When two sound brushes  7  are used, it is preferred that they be located on the front surfaces  3  of the first  10  and second  11  card panels in such a position that they will touch each other when these two card panels  2  are folded together. A single sound brush  7  may be activated by swiping the brush  7  along a hard surface. The surface of choice is the perforations of a telephone mouthpiece. When two sound brushes  7  are used, activation may be brought about by pressing the two opposing brushes  7  together to form a unique sound characteristic of the brushes. This sound produced by the sound brush  7  being activated is received by the telephone carrier. The telephone carrier company has a library of recorded sounds to ascertain that the received sound is produced by a card issued by the carrier. Then, in cooperation with the personal identification number  8 , the phone card carrier company allows the user to place a prepaid call. This combination of identifying factors adds security to the card  1  of the present invention as a call cannot be placed if the personal identification number  8  is used alone. The advantages of having the sound brush  7  located on the upper left rounded corner  52  of the card  1  are simplicity of manufacture, visually impaired users can readily identify the card  1  and the orientation of the card  1 , and it focuses attention on the logo  51 . 
     In use, when a telephone calling card  1  of the present invention is purchased, the owner contacts the telephone card carrier company. The name of the owner and the personal identification number  8  are given to the company. Additionally, the sound brush  7  is activated to produce a sound which is recorded, preferably on software, by the company. Later, when the owner desires to make a call, the carrier company is dialed, the sound brush  7  is activated to obtain clearance to enter the personal identification number  8 , and the personal identification number  8  is entered. In this way, the sound brush  7  and personal identification number  8  serve in combination to increase the security of the calling card  1 . 
     There is nothing distinctive about the tone of the sound given off by the sound brush  7 . The sound is a clicking sound. However, depending upon the configuration of the projections  21  which make up the sound brush  7 , the sound of the clicks is unique and can be identified by the card carrier company as sounds produced by sound brushes  7  produced by the card carrier company. Configurations resulting in distinct sounds are cubes  22 , tetrahedrons  23 , pyramids  24 , cones  25 , cylinders, wedges  26 , and other solid polygons. When the sound brush  7  is placed on the rounded corner  52  of a card, the peaks  53  and valleys  54  preferably form wedges, although truncated wedges or hexahedrons are operable. When wedges are used, the distance between adjoining apexes may be within the range of {fraction (1/16)} to {fraction (1/32)} of an inch. In this way, the combination of the sound brush  7  and the personal identification number  8  serves to positively identify the owner. Thus, the unauthorized use of a personal identification number  8 , when used alone, is avoided. 
     Another feature of the card  1  of the present invention is the presence of a first foldout panel  15 . In the preferred embodiment, a first foldout panel  27  contains a plurality (preferably four) foldout members  28 . Each member  28  of the first foldout panel  27  contains a front surface  29 , a rear surface  30 , two opposing end edges  31 , and two opposing side edges  32 . The first  33  and second  34  foldout members are adhesively attached at their end edges  31  to the end edges  6  of the first  10  and second  11  card panels, respectively. Any permanent glue or cement is suitable for this purpose, with preference given to acrylic cements. The first  33  and second  34  foldout members are also foldably connected to each other at their mutual side edge  32 . Third  35  and fourth  36  foldout members of the first foldout panel  27  are foldably connected to each other at their mutual side edges  32  and are foldably connected to the first  33  and second  34  foldout members respectively at their mutual end edges  31 . The members  33   34  may be may be made foldable by having the foldable connection compressed as with the card panels  2  or by the presence of scoring along the foldable abutment line. 
     An additional feature of the telephone calling card  1  of the present invention is the presence of a second foldout panel  37 . This panel  37  comprises a plurality (preferably four) foldout members  38 . Each foldout member  38  contains a front surface  39 , a rear surface  40 , two opposing end edges  41 , and two opposing side edges  42 . A side edge  42  of the first foldout member  43  is adhesively foldably attached to the side edge  5  of the first card panel  10  which is not otherwise attached. As above, this attachment may be done with any acceptable glue or cement. A side edge  42  of the second foldout member  44  is foldably connected to the side edge  42  of the first foldout member  43 . A side edge  42  of a third foldout member  45  is foldably attached to a side edge  42  of the second foldout member  44 , and the side edge  42  of a fourth foldout member  46  is foldably connected to the free side edge  42  of the third foldout member  45 . As above, these foldout members are made of a single sheet and foldability is accomplished by compressing or scoring along the foldable lines of abutment. Foldout members  28   38  may contain coupons  47 . 
     The foldout panels  27   37  are manufactured from thin, strong materials, preferably biodegradable vinyl plastic, biodegradable polyester, or paper. These panels  27   37  allow for an area which is available for information, which area is a multiple of the size of the telephone calling card  1 . Since these panels  27   37  fold together and fit between the first  10  and second  11  card members, these foldout panels  27   37  are securely out of sight when the card  1  is in its closed position. Since each panel  27   37  contains a front  29   39  and rear  30   40  surface, the area available for information in a foldout member  28   38  is twice the area of the foldout member  28   38 . A number of these members  28   38  may contain advertisements or coupons  47  applied when the cards  1  are manufactured or at a later time. At least a majority of the members  28   38  are for the purpose of containing identification or other information generated by the user, such as telephone numbers, addresses, etc. 
     The telephone calling card  1  of the present invention has a utility following its use as a calling card. 
     By virtue of a V-shaped perforation  48  in one card member  2 , that member  2  finds utility as a book mark. Another card member  2  contains two parallel perforations  49  parallel to the side edges  5 . When opened, a curved opening is presented. Because the card  1  is designed to have an attractive appearance, this card member  2  finds utility as a holder for a pony tail. A third card member  2  contains an X-shaped perforation  50  which, when opened, finds utility as a holder for notes or paper currency. The perforations can be made by known methods, preferably stamping. 
     In a second preferred embodiment of this invention, a strip  101  having a front surface  102 , a peelable strip  103  on an adherent back surface  104 , two opposing sides  105 , and two opposing ends  106  is adhered to a sheet of correspondence  107  by the adherent back surface  104 . The front surface  102  of the strip  101  contains the telephone number of the telephone carrier and operator  108 , the unique personal identification number  109  for the strip  101 , and the telephone number  110  of the sender of the sheet of correspondence  107 . For security purposes, the front surface  102  of the strip  101  is covered by an opaque peelable adherent label  111 , which may contain instructions  112  on its front surface  113  and an adherent substance (not shown) on its back surface  114 . By sending a strip  101  containing information as to how the receiver may contact the sender by telephone with no cost to the receiver, the sender gives impetus to the receiver to contact the sender. Thus, students at college or family members or friends in the armed services would welcome the opportunity to call the sender at no cost. This strip  101  may also be used for business purposes. For use by the visually handicapped, the strip  101  contains the instructions in tactile form, such as Braille. Also, in this and the other embodiments, written instructions are set forth in bold letters which are as large as practical so that those who are visually handicapped, but not blind, can read the instructions. 
     Alternatively, a card  201  to be attached to a sheet of correspondence  107  may be a multiple-panel, multiple-purpose card  201 . In this event, the card  201  has the properties of a gift, has a set money value, and specific directions for making the call are not needed. 
     In a third preferred embodiment, a multi-panel, multiple purpose telephone calling card  201  may be used as a separate unit as in the first preferred embodiment or may be attached to a sheet of correspondence  107  as in the second preferred embodiment. The card  201  of this embodiment contains a front panel  202  having front  203  and back  204  surfaces, a rear panel  205  having front  206  and rear  207  surfaces, foldout members  208 , and a peelable strip  209  adhered to the rear surface  207  of the rear panel  205 . 
     The front panel  202  and the rear panel  205  are made from a single sheet of material, folded along the line of abutment  210 . The line of abutment  210  between the front and rear panels may be facilitated by perforating or pressing to decrease the thickness of the material at the line of abutment  210 . The use of a single sheet rather than two separate sheets joined together saves a manufacturing step and manufacturing materials. The foldout members  208  attach to the card  201  at the line of abutment  210  between the front panel  202  and the rear panel  205  or at a line of abutment  211  on either the front panel  202  or rear panel  205  slightly removed from the line of abutment  210  between the front  202  and rear  205  panels. Attachment may be accomplished by adhesives  212 , preferably acrylic cements. 
     The card  201  contains a sound brush  7  on the front surface  203  of the front panel  202 . Alternatively, the sound brush  7  may be located on a rounded corner  52  of the card  201 . It is preferable that both front  202  and rear  205  panels be stamped in preparing the sound brush  7  in this alternative. However, if desired, only the front panel  202  may be stamped. 
     The card  201  also contains a printed personal identification number  8  and a tactile identification number  9 , preferably on the back surface  204  of the front panel  202 . All printed instructions are in bold characters which are as large as feasible to aid the visually impaired. The logo  51  of the carrier company is preferably embossed so that the visually impaired can identify the card by touch. There is a magnetic strip  16  and a barometric weather strip  17  on the front surface  203  of the front panel  202 . 
     The foldout members  208  contain coupons  47 , advertisements, and room for adding information. 
     As an added utility of the card  201  the peelable strip  209  has luminescent ink printed over the surface thereof The card  201  may be seen at night. This feature aids in finding the card  201  or in signaling for aid along a darkened highway. 
     The card  201  is made of biodegradable vinyl plastic, biodegradable polyester plastic, paper, or cardboard. 
     The above description has been presented for the purpose of informing those skilled in the art how to make and use the present invention. This description is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention so as to exclude obvious modifications. Rather the scope of the invention is intended to be limited to the scope of the following claims, including all equivalents and immaterial modifications.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7