Abstract: The invention related to a postcard or information carrier, comprising one or more peripheral sides capable of being folded onto a first side and joined, forming a receiving space for a data carrier, wherein the one or more peripheral sides cannot be opened unintentionally and the data carrier cannot be lost. The invention also provides a method of generating a customer database, comprising mailing or delivering a postcard to an addressee, wherein the postcard includes a reply postcard that requires information to be furnished by the addressee, and having a data carrier that includes information of interest to the addressee, receiving the reply postcard from the addressee, converting the information into computer-readable format to generate a customer database based on the information furnished by the addressee, and using the customer database to generate a mailing list to solicit or send further information or products to the addressee.

Abstract: A proof-of-use device made of a thick fibrous sheet such as paperboard has manually tearable perforation defining an invalidation component on one side of the perforation and a basic component on the other side of the perforated region. The basic component has a front surface adaptable to receiving a badge image. A flexible region formed in the basic component defines a hinge along which the basic component is bendable over on itself. An attaching component is applied to at least one selected region of the basic component. Depending on configuration the attaching component may be on the front or back of the basic component. The attaching component and the hinge make the basic component attachable for wearing to display the badge image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a proof-of-entry device and a badge which is suitable in particular for a proof-of-entry device. The proof-of-entry device substantially comprises a badge and a validation component which, in a particularly preferable manner, are integral. Advantageously, the validation component is detachably secured on the badge. This component is preferably as wide and/or long as the badge and carries, for example, a chip, magnetic strip, bar code and/or a holographic image. The inventive badge, which is in particular suitable for a proof-of-entry device of this type, has a design support, a counter-member, a hinge connecting the design support and the counter-member, and a retaining element which, when the counter-member has been folded behind the design support, substantially secures these components.