In-line gift card personalization and packaging process

摘要

A machine that processes gift cards in an in-line process where the gift cards travel along a generally straight transport path from a card feed mechanism to a delivery end where the cards and carrier combinations are discharged. During the in-line processing, a magnetic stripe, integrated circuit chip or RFID tag on the gift cards can be encoded with account information, a serial number or other information. In addition, the cards are transported to a print mechanism that personalizes the cards with a bar code, account information, serial number or other information. After printing, the cards are transported to a gluing system which applies adhesive to one side of the cards. The cards are then transported to a feeding mechanism that feeds and applies a carrier to one or more cards.

主权项

1. A method of processing gift cards, comprising:
feeding individual gift cards one at a time from a card feed mechanism into a processing machine, each gift card including a magnetic stripe, an integrated circuit chip, or an RFID tag; using the processing machine to apply information that is not specific to or associated with an individual on the magnetic stripe, integrated circuit chip or RFID tag of each gift card fed into the processing machine, after the application of the information, using the processing machine to print information on a back surface of each gift card, the printed information is not specific to or associated with an individual and corresponds to the information applied on the magnetic stripe, integrated circuit chip or RFID tag, and after printing the information, using the processing machine to affix each gift card to a respective carrier that is suitable for point-of-purchase display with the back surface facing the carrier, wherein the application of the information, the printing of the information, and the affixing are performed in an in-line process along a straight, continuous mechanical transport path of the gift cards through the processing machine.