IDENTIFICATION HOLDER

Abstract

A non-rigid identification card holder which can be securely attached via magnetic fasteners within the flaps of the holder to the clothing, lanyard, arm or leg band, to a bag or purse handle, or to an animal's collar or harness, is provided. The card holder comprises at least one pocket sized to hold an identification card. At least one face of the pocket comprises a transparent material to allow easy viewing of the card, and information contained on electronic chips as part of the card can be scanned through the transparent material. The outer face of each pocket can comprise a transparent window. The card holder may also provide additional pockets sized to hold business cards, credit cards, photographs, security cards, etc.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/908,656, filed Mar. 28, 2007, which is incorporated to the extent there is no inconsistency with the present disclosure.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FEDERAL RESEARCH SUPPORT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention is the area of non-rigid identification card holders, in particular, one closed and/or secured to the wearer using magnetic fasteners or via a spring clip.

Commercially available protective identification card holders or badge holders include both holders which are used primarily for display of the identification card and holders which are used primarily for storage of the identification card, such as wallet-style holders. A non-rigid display-type identification card or badge holder is typically made wholly of flexible plastic and has a single pocket which substantially encloses the card, but allows removal of the card at one edge of the pocket. The card holder often is provided with a slot and/or holes spaced away from the pocket for connection to a neck lanyard, clip, pin, or other attachment device. An attachment device such as a clip may also be attached directly to the holder. Such plastic holders are subject to tearing at the edges of the pocket and at the point(s) of connection to the display device. A single pocket holder also does not allow separated storage of either multiple identification cards or of an identification card with another card such as a credit card. Separated storage for multiple cards allows the cards to be more easily organized and accessed.

The present invention provides an attractive, durable, non-rigid identification card holder which can be securely fastened to a wearer's pocket or connected to a breakaway lanyard or a band using magnetic fasteners. The identification card holder may optionally also provide separated storage for more than one identification card or for one or more identification cards and other cards such as business or phone cards or for photographs and/or cash. Separated storage of multiple cards allows more convenient organization of and access to the cards. Because of the magnetic fasteners within the card holder of the present invention, it is best not to store cards containing magnetic information in this card holder. Such an identification card holder is especially useful for airline personnel such as pilots, who are typically required to carry at least one identification card as well as a flight plan, as well as mechanics and rampers, and others including, but not limited to, security personnel, workers within secure areas, government employees, law enforcement, medical or military personnel, civilian employees working in military or other secure facilities, persons working or studying in secured facilities, employees of private enterprises where security and/or access is a concern, childcare workers, and students, teachers and personnel in schools, laboratories and colleges where identification and/or access cards are used, especially readable cards. The loss of identification materials is costly, but also dangerous in the sense of national and local security as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides non-rigid identification card holders, especially holders which can be attached to the clothing of the wearer. In an embodiment, the identification card holder includes two flaps and a clamping system capable of clamping clothing, fabric or other items between the flaps of the holder. At least one of the flaps contains a pocket for holding an identification card. In an embodiment, one flap of the holder may be placed in a pocket and the other outside the pocket, with the clamping device holding the holder securely to the pocket. The holder can be secured to a shirt or jacket pocket, sleeve, pants or skirt pocket, waistband, belt, epaulette, edge of shirt, coat or jacket or onto material of clothing, smock or apron, lanyard or other around-the-neck strap or chain, purse, bag, briefcase or other bag strap, and in any other configuration that serves to secure the identification holder to the wearer. When not attached to the person, it can be secured to a visor, bag, purse, backpack, or briefcase strap or loop of same.

The identification holders of the invention are capable of being attached to the user in an additional fashion as compared to similar identification holders whose flap ends are held together by fasteners such as snaps or Velcro. In particular, the clamping system of the invention allows the identification holder to be secured to the wearer by clamping clothing or other items between the flaps of the holder. In addition, it can encompass a belt or other item, with the ends of the flaps being in contact with one another. The clamping system is capable of supplying sufficient holding force even when the ends of the flaps are not in contact, but only in close proximity.

In an embodiment, the clamping system comprises a pair of magnetic fasteners being adapted to engage each other. The fasteners are positioned and of sufficient strength so that they are capable of engaging each other with sufficient holding force when brought into close proximity. In an embodiment, the centers of the fasteners align when the holder is in a closed or nearly closed position. In an embodiment, the two magnetic fasteners may be the same size (within the tolerance of the manufacturing processes) While the identification card holder is preferably closed and/or attached to the wearer by two neodymium magnets which are brought into close proximity when the holder is in the closed (folded) position, it is also possible to achieve secure fastening using one neodymium magnet and one magnetizable metal unit or two conventional magnets, or one conventional magnet and one magnetizable metal unit; however the use of conventional metal (ferric) magnets may set off metal detector alarms and thus would be less advantageous than the neodymium magnet pair exemplified in a preferred embodiment of the invention. Alternative magnetic materials include samarium cobalt, and cast or sintered alnico material, either for one or both of the magnetic fasteners used to secure the identification card holder.

The holder may be secured to the pocket or other aspect of the clothing via magnetic fasteners, especially one or more neodymium magnets. The holder could also be secured to an armband, legband, waistband, epaulette, belt or lanyard via its magnetic fasteners. Similarly, the holder could be secured to the collar or harness of a dog, cat, horse, cow, llama or other animal.

In another embodiment, the clamping system comprises a spring mechanism located within the identification holder. In an embodiment, the spring mechanism normally keeps the holder closed. However, the spring mechanism is adapted to allow the holder to be opened as desired for attachment or removal of the holder from the wearer. The spring mechanism may comprise one or more springs incorporated within the structure of the identification holder. In an embodiment, the spring provides a strength of closure/fastening comparable to the neodymium magnetic fasteners specifically exemplified herein.

A holder with a central fold can be formed on its exterior surface of a single piece of material or the two flap portion can be sewn together (and preferably bound) at the region of the fold. In another embodiment, the holder is made as a trifold unit, where it is preferred that only two magnetic fasteners contained within flaps, one of which is positioned inside and one outside the clothing, for example.

The present invention provides a system for holding at least one identification card or document, smart card, access card or insurance card or the like. The identification card could be a photographic identification or a credential card, including a passport of an appropriate size which is not dependent on magnetic strips. It is desirable that licenses or other identification cards, ATM and credit cards not be used in a holder with magnetic fasteners if those cards comprise magnetic strips. However, the magnetic fasteners are designed to be used with proximity cards or smart cards or chips.

In an embodiment of the invention, the magnetic fasteners, advantageously neodymium magnets, are shielded from the identification holder and the contents thereof by a thin plastic sheet of material, for example, a polyvinylchloride sheet of from about 0.5 to about 10 mil, about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 10 mil.

The identification card holder comprises at least one pocket sized to hold the identification card or other readable card. In a preferred embodiment, at least one face of the pocket comprises a window formed by a layer of transparent polymeric material to allow easy viewing or reading of the card. In a particular embodiment, the pocket is accessible from either the outside or the inside of the flap via one or more slits or slots on the interior and/or exterior of the outside flap. If the card is a smart card containing electronically coded information, e.g. on an electronic chip, the card can also be scanned or read through the transparent material by a smart card reader. Optionally, a hole (desirably reinforced), for example a thumb slide, may be provided in one pocket face through which a finger may be inserted to aid in removing the identification or other card from the pocket. In another embodiment, the card holder has two back-to-back pockets with the outer face of each pocket comprising a window of transparent polymeric material. An exemplary transparent material is polyvinylchloride, from about 3 to about 15 mil in thickness, for example, about 10 mil or any thickness between a bout 3 and about 15. There can be a common inner face between those pockets. These two pockets provide separated storage for two identification or other cards. The identification card holder may also provide additional pockets sized to hold additional cards compatible with magnetic fasteners and of an appropriate size, photographs, cash, etc, formed by attaching at least one layer of durable material to the inner face of the flap. In a specifically exemplified embodiment, the card is inserted into the pocket through a slot on the interior face of a flap of the card holder. An alternative embodiment entails a pocket for holding pens, pencils, small tool or flashlight, and the like.

For improved durability, the identification card holder may be made with a second material such as a woven material or leather in addition to the first transparent polymeric material. It is preferred that the magnetic fasteners are sewn within the heavy fabric of the holder near the ends of the flaps distal to the center fold. Optionally, a polymeric or other material can be incorporated between the magnet(s) and the cards.

In some embodiments of the invention, there can be sufficient material above or below the transparent window on the exterior flap to allow for decoration or additional information, for example identifying the company or institution of the bearer or providing the relevant logo.

The transparent window is desirably made of a durable material which allows for reading of a bar code or a smart card or chips, as with proximity readers, and optionally there can be a hole through which a finger can be inserted to facilitate removing the card from the holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of identification card holder system of the invention. The holder is shown standing partly open. The front (1) and back (2) flaps are joined at fold line (18); both front and back flaps contain pockets for identification cards. The exterior surface of the front flap has a transparent window (14). FIG. 1 also shows a partial view of the interior of the back flap, showing additional pockets (22) formed of material to hold additional cards, cash or the like. Exemplary positions of magnetic fasteners (13) are shown with dotted lines.

FIG. 2A is a diagram of the interior surface of a back flap (2), showing the opening (slot (21)) for inserting an identification card into the pocket, and two pockets (22), secured to the material forming the interior of the flap.

FIG. 2B illustrates the exterior surface of a back flap (2), showing transparent window (14).

FIG. 2C illustrates the interior face of a front flap (1) of the identification card holder showing slot (21).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a holder for at least one identification, photographic identification, insurance, medical emergency, access, credential or other card. As used herein, the term “identification card” encompasses cards, tags, or badges that carry identifying information or that contain information encoded within an electronic chip, in which case it may also be called a smart card or proximity card. Information encoded on a smart card is typically scanned or read with a smart card reader.

The present invention provides an identification card holder that can be securely attached to a wearer's clothing, for example, to a pocket, waistband, collar and the like. As specifically exemplified the holder folds in the center to form two flaps. One flap may be placed within a pocket, especially a pocket on the chest of the wearer. The other flap is folded over the pocket, epaulette, waistband or other part of the wearer's clothing or accessories, and magnetic fasteners near the end of each flap distal to the center fold engage to secure the holder to the pocket or the like. The flaps may alternatively be fastened to the strap of a purse, briefcase, backpack or other bag. In addition, the holder can be secured to the collar, bridle, lead, leash or harness of an animal so as to provide for carrying and/or displaying a card which provides owner information, breeding information or veterinary or other information.

Identification holders whose fold line is not a center line are also within the scope of the invention. In this embodiment, the position of the magnetic fasteners is adjusted to allow proper engagement of the fasteners.

Where there is a transparent window, it is preferred that it face away from the wearer during normal use so that the identification or certification information is readily viewed. Alternatively, the flaps of the holder can span a breakaway lanyard, chain, ball chain or other around-the neck material for holding the identification card about the neck or to a band for securing the holder about an arm or leg of the wearer, for example. FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C illustrate specifically exemplified identification card holder systems of the invention. Advantageously, the identification or other card is inserted via a slot on the interior of the flap.

In general, the card holder comprises at least one pocket sized to hold an identification card or other card. It is preferred that at least one face of the pocket comprises a transparent polymeric material to allow easy viewing of the card. Optionally, the transparent material can have an opening, for example, a thumb slide opening, to facilitate removal of the card from the holder. Any information contained on electronic chips which may be part of the card(s) can also be scanned through the transparent material. The pocket face may be formed wholly of transparent material or may have only a window of transparent material. In a preferred embodiment, there is a slot on the interior face of each flap for inserting the card(s) or other materials. The card holder shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C has front and back flaps which are formed by folding the holder and fasten together via magnetic fasteners sewn within the flaps. One or both flaps of the card holder may have two back-to-back pockets which share a common inner face.

The card holder preferably comprises a first material which is transparent polymer sheet and a second material which is a woven material or leather. For improved durability of the holder, it is preferred that the second material be more durable than the first. In an embodiment, the second material is 500 denier nylon. The transparent polymeric material is preferably used only in making the pockets. The durability of a pocket can be improved by using a woven material or leather in at least one face of the pocket and/or as binding for the edge of the pocket. Optionally, the materials can be treated to resist or repel moisture, or durable rubber or plastic could be substituted for the woven material or leather.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an identification card holder of the invention. The holder has two flaps (1), (2), with one flap on each side of a central fold (18). The first or front (exterior, relative to the pocket of the wearer) flap (1) has two faces, an exterior or outer face and an interior face. The inner and outer face of at least one of the flaps are joined, thereby forming at least one pocket for holding an identification card. As shown, the outer edges of the holder are encased in an optional binding (16). Also shown is (optional) stitching line (12) placed near the top of the flap to define the fold (18). The description in the Figures of a particular flap as a front or back flap is based on how the holder is expected to be typically used . In use, the holder could be reversed so that the back flap faces outward if the wearer so desires. The description of a flap face as being interior or exterior is based on the folded position of the identification card holder; when the holder is folded the interior faces are folded inside the holder.

An opening (or slot) in one face of the flap allows access to the pocket so that a card or other item can be inserted. As specifically exemplified in FIG. 1, the slot allowing access to the pocket is not on the outer face of the flap (the pocket does not open to the exterior face of the front flap). Instead, the identification card is inserted or removed from the pocket through a slot located on the interior face of the front flap. FIG. 2C illustrates a slot (21) formed in the interior of the front flap.

Preferably, the outer face comprises a durable transparent polymeric material advantageously forming a window in the exterior. This transparent material forms a “window” (14) through which an identification card may be viewed or scanned. It is of a size appropriate for viewing an identification or credential care and/or for scanning a smart card. In FIG. 1 the upper edge of the transparent window (14) is shown as being finished with optional binding (17). Optionally, the outer transparent window can include a reinforced hole through which a finger may be inserted to facilitate removing or positioning the identification card (not shown in FIG. 1). This reinforced hole may also be termed a thumb slide. The hole may be reinforced by deforming the material immediately surrounding the hole during manufacture of the pocket face.

The inner face of front flap (1) may be of any durable, flexible material which does not stretch such as a woven material or leather. The inner and outer faces of front flap may be joined by sewing or by other means as known to the art.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2C, the front flap contains a single pocket formed by the inner and outer faces of the flap and this pocket does not open to the exterior face of the front flap. In another embodiment, a flap may have two back-to-back pockets with the outer faces of the pockets being formed by the inner and outer faces of the flap and the pockets having a common inner face. For added security, both pockets may be accessed from the inner face of the flap.

In an embodiment a flap may include additional pockets located on the inside of the flap. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the back flap of the card holder is designed to have least one interior pocket (22) in addition to the pocket with an exterior transparent “window”. The exterior and interior pockets are back-to-back. In FIG. 2A, two interior pockets (22) are shown. The edges of the pockets or flaps may optionally be finished with binding for a more attractive appearance and/or to reinforce the pocket. For example, the edges of a pocket may be bound with fabric tape prior to sewing. FIG. 2A shows binding (23) which finishes pockets (22).

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2C, the front flap fastens to the back flap via the magnetic fasteners (13) secured within the flap structure. The magnetic fasteners are located in the ends of the flap distal to the fold. The fasteners are positioned so that they can engage each other and hold the flaps together or in close proximity. FIGS. 1, 2A and 2C illustrate exemplary positions of magnetic fasteners (13) with dotted lines. The magnetic fasteners are secured within the interior of each flap end during construction.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the inner face of the pocket is constructed of a double layer of material, to allow concealment of each magnetic fastener between the fabric layers. The two layers are stitched or otherwise secured together (for example, by heat bonding or gluing as appropriate for the materials) so that the magnetic fastener does not shift positions. FIGS. 1 and 2C illustrate use of stitching (15) to secure the magnetic fasteners. Material to form pockets (22) can be attached to this material, with the opening oriented toward the fold section of the flap.

FIGS. 2A and 2C show the interior surfaces of flaps, the back and front, respectively, of the card holder. In both, the interior of the front flap has an interior slot (21) to allow a card to be inserted or removed from its pocket. The back flap can be adapted to form back-to-back pockets (22) which provide separated storage of identification cards. Separated storage of multiple cards allows the cards to be more easily organized or accessed. However, in some circumstances a smart card reader may not read the desired card correctly if smart cards are placed in both of the back-to-back pockets. The interior pocket may be constructed in a similar manner to the exterior pocket. The interior of back flap has an upper pocket and a lower pocket (see FIG. 2A), as exemplified, formed by offset pieces of material. Cards or other materials stored in pockets are thus separated from one another. The material pieces forming the pockets can be bound with bindings. The upper and lower pockets may be sized to accommodate smaller cards such as ATM, phone and credit cards, although the magnetic nature of the fasteners might interfere with the proper performance of cards with magnetically encoded information.

FIG. 2B shows the exterior surface of the back flap. The outer face of the flap comprises a durable transparent polymeric material (14) which serves as a “window” through which the card is read or viewed. The transparent window material may also contain a reinforced hole. In FIG. 2B, the upper edge of the transparent window (14) is optionally finished with binding (17).

FIG. 1 also shows the fold line (18) which separates the two flaps. Pockets and faces of the flaps may be formed of single or double layers of material. Where a double layer of material is used, the magnetic fastener may be positioned between the layers and held in place near the end of the flap distal to the central fold, secured by stitching, glue or a heat bond in the case of appropriate materials. Where there is only a single layer of material forming a pocket, the magnetic fastener may be enclosed within a layer of material smaller than the material which forms the pocket for holding the identification card or other material of interest. An additional stitching line (12) may be provided to better define the fold line, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2B.

The identification card holder may also be reversibly connected to a band, where the two flaps encompass the band, preferably such that the magnetic fasteners can engage without band material between them. The band preferably comprises a stretchy material such as elastic, and it can be sized to fit around the upper arm. Alternatively, the flaps can encompass a collar of a pet or other animal, with sizing appropriate to the size of the collar, animal and card to be inserted. Address and contact information, medical or veterinary information or breeding history could be provided on a conventional card or a computer readable card, for example.

In the present context, the magnetic fasteners can be conventional or neodymium magnets, with sufficient strength to hold the two flaps securely despite a wearer's pocket fabric, waistband, or potentially an armband or other band, collar or harness, etc. between them. As an alternative to the use of a pair of magnets, there can be a substitution of a magnet paired with a magnetizable material serving as magnetic fasteners. As noted above, it is desired to secure the fasteners between two layers of material forming a face of the flap.

Advantageously, the magnetic fasteners are a pair of neodymium magnets or one neodymium magnetic and a magnetizable metal object of a size compatible with the neodymium magnet. As used herein, the term neodymium magnet refers to a magnet made of an alloy containing neodymium and other elements; such alloys are known to the art. Other magnetic fasteners can be used in place of the neodymium magnets specifically exemplified, provided they provide sufficient force to securely faster the identification holder to the wearer, bag, etc. In an embodiment, the neodymium magnet grade is at least N40. It is noted that metal magnets (e.g., iron-based) are less preferred in the identification holders described herein because of the potential to set off metal detectors and/or destroy magnetic strips on cards. However, for some users, this is not a problem.

In an embodiment, the fastening system includes two neodymium magnets of equal size and magnetic strength (within manufacturing tolerances). In a specific embodiment, each neodymium magnet is circular with a diameter of about 17.7 mm, thickness of about 2 mm, and weight of about 0.01 ounces, with a grade of N40, nickel plated and axially magnetized (the flat faces of the discs are north and south magnetic poles). Holding strengths equivalent (or greater) to those provided by the specifically exemplified neodymium magnets are desirable to insure secure attachment to the wearer. However, other sizes and shapes for the magnets can be chosen with appropriate consideration of aesthetics and function. As is known in the art, the force between two permanent magnets depends on the strength of the magnets, the dimensions of the magnets (e.g. radius or width and height, area, and thickness) and the separation between the magnets. Similarly, the force between a permanent magnet and a soft magnetic material depends on the strength of the magnet, the relevant dimensions, and the separation. The strength of the magnet may be measured by the remanance or residual induction Br. In different embodiments, the residual induction of the magnet is greater than or equal to 9,000 Gauss, 10,000 Gauss, or 11,000 Gauss. In different embodiments, the diameter, width, or height of the fastener is less than or equal to 25.4 mm, 20 mm, or 15 mm. In an embodiment, the magnetic fasteners are capable of supplying sufficient holding force at a separation of about 0.5 to about 10 mm, and all distances there between, for example, about 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, or 2.0 mm or 5 mm. The magnetic fasteners desirably grip over 2 to about 10 layers of fabric, and integers between.

While the identification holder of the present invention is specifically exemplified with transparent windows at the exterior faces of the flaps, it is understood that the holder can be manufactured with one or more transparent pockets on one or more interior faces and the smaller nontransparent pockets on one or both exterior faces of the flaps.

The disclosure is provided for illustrative purposes and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed herein. Any variations in the exemplified articles which occur to the skilled artisan are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention.

One skilled in the art readily appreciates that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent in the present invention. The identification holder(s), components, materials and dimensions described herein as currently representative of preferred embodiments are provided as examples and are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art, are included within the scope of the claims.

Although the description herein contains certain specific information and examples, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the embodiments of the invention. Thus, additional embodiments are within the scope of the invention and within the following claims.

Claims

1. An identification card holder comprising at least a first and second flap (1) and (2) located on opposite sides of a central fold, at least one of the flaps comprising a pocket sized to hold at least one identification card, wherein first and second magnetic fasteners (13) are

located at the ends of the flaps distal to the fold, one fastener being located in each flap and the fasteners being positioned to engage each other.

2. The identification card holder of claim 1, wherein the first and second magnetic fasteners (13) are magnets.

3. The identification holder of claim 2, wherein the first and second magnetic fasteners (13) are neodymium magnets.

4. The identification card holder of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic fastener is a magnet (13) and the second magnetic fastener 13) is a magnetizable material.

5. The identification card holder of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic fastener (13) is a neodymium magnet and the second magnetic fastener (13) is a magnetizable material.

6. The identification card holder of claim 1, wherein the flap comprising the pocket further further comprises a transparent window (14), whereby at least one identification card can be viewed or scanned through the transparent window.

7. The identification card holder of claim 6, wherein said transparent window (14) is formed of transparent polymeric material shaped to form an opening through which a finger may be inserted to aid in removing an identification card from the pocket.

8. The identification card holder of claim 6, wherein both flaps comprise pockets sized to hold an identification card and the exterior faces of each of two flaps (1) and (2) comprise transparent windows (14), whereby identification cards can be viewed or scanned through the transparent windows.

9. The identification card holder of claim 8, wherein the outward face of transparent material on at least one of the flaps additionally surrounds a reinforced opening through which a finger may be inserted to aid in removing the identification cards from the pocket.

10. The identification card holder of claim 1, wherein the identification card holder comprises at least one additional pocket.

11. The identification holder of claim 10, wherein the at least one pocket (22) is located on the flap face opposite to that of the transparent material.

12. An identification card holder comprising at least two flaps (1) and (2), at least one flap comprising a pocket sized to hold at least one identification card, the pocket comprising a transparent window (14) formed of a transparent polymeric material and a second material which is a woven material or leather; and magnetic fasteners (13) secured within the material forming said flaps and positioned to engage each other for reversibly, slidably attaching the identification holder to a breakaway lanyard or band.

13. The identification card holder of claim 12, wherein the magnetic fasteners (13) are magnets.

14. The identification card holder of claim 13 wherein the magnetic fasteners (13) are neodymium magnets.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the transparent window (14) is formed to surround a reinforced hole through which a finger may be inserted to aid in removing the identification card from the pocket.

15. The identification card holder system of claim 12, wherein the identification card holder comprises two back-to-back pockets adapted to hold identification cards.

16. The identification card holder system of claim 12, wherein the outward face of each of the back-to-back pockets comprises the first transparent material, whereby the identification card can be viewed or through the transparent material.

17. An identification card holder system comprising at least a first and second flap (1) and (2) located on opposite sides of a central fold, at least one of the flaps comprising a pocket sized to hold at least one identification card, and a spring adapted to hold the first and second flaps in close proximity when the holder is in the closed position.