The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 31, 1996
Filed:
Oct. 18, 1994
Richard C Nubson, Eden Prairie, MN (US);
Glenn R Carney, Eagan, MN (US);
Luc DeBleeckere, Crystal, MN (US);
Ronald B Howes, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Milo B Squires, Minneapolis, MN (US);
David E Wickstrom, St. Louis Park, MN (US);
Dennis J Warwick, Richfield, MN (US);
Benjamin H Sannel, St. Louis Park, MN (US);
Gretchen J Moeller, Plymouth, MN (US);
Paul R Caron, Tiverton, RI (US);
Harold D Schofield, Naragansett, RI (US);
Datacard Corporation, , DE (US);
Abstract
A magnetically encoded plastic card production system is provided which includes a supply mechanism for supplying a series of blank plastic cards. An encoder is operatively coupled to the supply mechanism which encodes a magnetic strip on each card. A separating mechanism is operatively coupled following the encoder which has a roller surface for adhesively attracting loose particles from a surface of each card. A design placing mechanism is operatively coupled immediately following the separating mechanism which places a graphic design on each card. In this arrangement, the loose particles are separated from each card subsequent to encoding the magnetic strip on each card and prior to placing the graphic design on each card. A collecting mechanism is operatively coupled to the design placing mechanism which collects each card after each card has passed through the encoder, separating mechanism, and design placing mechanism. A method for producing magnetically encoded plastic cards is also provided.