Methods and apparatuses are provided for manufacturing a transaction card. The disclosed methods and apparatuses may be used to form a transaction card frame within a mold. The transaction card frame may include one or more recessed portions formed within a first surface of the transaction card frame. The one or more recessed portions may be configured for affixing one or more electronic components.

Methods and apparatuses are provided for manufacturing a transaction card. The disclosed methods and apparatuses may be used to form a transaction card frame within a mold. The transaction card frame may include one or more recessed portions formed within a first surface of the transaction card frame. The one or more recessed portions may be configured for affixing one or more electronic components.

A process for manufacturing a transaction card includes forming an opening in a card body of the transaction card; inserting an electronic component into the opening; and molding a molding material about the electronic component. A transaction card includes a molded electronic component.

A multi layered card embodying the invention includes an outer layer of an amorphous laser reactive copolymer material which is embossed with a selected pattern at a selected temperature which is above the glass transition temperature, Tg, of the copolymer and below its melting temperature, Tm. So embossed, the selected pattern is set in the copolymer layer, and its external shape cannot be changed from the embossed form to which it was set at the selected temperature, without destroying the selected pattern. The outer layer may be laminated with the other layers of the card and laser engraved before or after lamination.

A process for placing a circuit array on a sheet having adhesive during a pick and place operation in which a vacuum is used during its placement to minimize air bubbles between the adhesive layer and the circuit array.

Methods and apparatuses are provided for manufacturing a transaction card. The disclosed methods and apparatuses may be used to form a transaction card frame within a mold. The transaction card frame may include one or more recessed portions formed within a first surface of the transaction card frame. The one or more recessed portions may be configured for affixing one or more electronic components.

A substrate de-bowing mechanism, system and method are described. The mechanism can include a substrate support, one or more stationary contact members, and one or more dynamic or movable contact members that are adapted to contact the substrate and bend the substrate in a desired direction to reduce or eliminate bowing of the substrate. The mechanism is controlled by a CPU or other controller that can adjust the de-bow parameters of the de-bowing mechanism based on input settings that can be dynamic and/or static settings. The mechanism can be used to de-bow a variety of substrates including plastic cards, passports, and passport pages.

A tag for attachment to an animal including: a transponder casing (40) housing a transponder; a cartridge (12) for housing the transponder casing; a female component (10) and a male component (28) adapted to engage one another; said male component (28) having a pair of penetrating members (32, 34) and said female component (10) having a pair of apertures (14, 16), each aperture arranged to receive and retain a respective penetrating member when applied by an applicator through skin of the animal; wherein the cartridge (12) and transponder casing (40) are encapsulated within said tag to prevent dislodgment, movement or damage to the transponder.

An article for laser marking can comprising: a thermoplastic composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer, an active component comprising at least one of a polymeric unit and an additive, wherein the thermoplastic polymer has a visible transmission of greater than or equal to 80% according to ASTM D1003-00, Procedure A, using D65 illumination, 10 degrees observer, and thickness of 1 mm; and a mark produced by chemical rearrangement of the active component generated by a laser of a first wavelength; wherein the mark exhibits at least one of: (i) a change in optical properties in the region 400 nm to 700 nm when exposed to light having a wavelength less than or equal to 500 nm; and (ii) a change in optical properties in the region of 400 nm to 700 nm when exposed to light having a wavelength greater than or equal to the first wavelength.

Methods and apparatuses are provided for manufacturing a transaction card. The disclosed methods and apparatuses may be used to form a transaction card frame within a mold. The transaction card frame may include one or more recessed portions formed within a first surface of the transaction card frame. The one or more recessed portions may be configured for affixing one or more electronic components.