Transport device in a card embossing system
AssigneeDataCard Corporation
InventorsSimon Ormerod, Lucien Dugachard, Christophe Bousquet, Fabien Gardes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device is constructed for processing or customizing cards or flattened portable objects, for example memory cards, smart card, magnetic strip card, or badge. The device is characterized in that it comprises a flexible or rigid mobile transport structure (1) bearing at least transport means (2) for receiving at least a card (9) in at least a supply station (39) and carrying the cards to one or several processing stations (3). The transport device (2) is mobile relative to the transport structure (1) and enables the card to be displaced towards the processing station (3) or to be displaced inside said station, or a combination of both, without leaving said transport structure.
Claims25
Plastic card processing device, comprising a movable transport structure carrying at least one transport device, the transport device comprising a card holder to receive at least one plastic card from at least one supply station and conveying said card to one or more processing stations, the transport device being movable in relation to the transport structure and allowing moving of the card towards the processing station or moving inside the processing station, or a combination of the two, without leaving said transport structure, characterised in that the card processing device comprises at least one transfer drive mechanism to move the at least one transport device on said transport structure, and wherein said transport structure comprises a rigid barrel of essentially cylindrical shape that conveys by rotation about one barrel axis the transport device from one station to another.
A device comprising a card conveyor for delivering cards to a plurality of transport devices adapted to receive the cards, said transport devices being mounted for movement on a barrel that is rotatable to bring each transport device in front of a processing station, actuating means for moving said transport devices on the barrel toward the processing station for and during processing of the card on the transport device and, after processing, said barrel being further rotatable for enabling transfer of the transport devices to another processing station or back to the card conveyor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.