Methods and systems of actively cooling a card while the card is within a card processing machine are described. One or more cooling stations are provided within the card processing machine to actively cool the card prior to performing a processing operation, during a processing operation, and/or after a processing operation on the card in order to reduce a temperature of the surface of the card.

Methods and systems of actively cooling a card while the card is within a card processing machine are described. One or more cooling stations are provided within the card processing machine to actively cool the card prior to performing a processing operation, during a processing operation, and/or after a processing operation on the card in order to reduce a temperature of the surface of the card.

The present invention describes methods and apparatuses for creating superposition shape images by superposed base and revealing layers of lenslet gratings. The superposition shape images form a message recognizable by a human observer or by an image acquisition and computing device such as a smartphone. The superposition shape images may be created by different superposition techniques ranging from 1D moir, 2D moir and level-line moir superposition techniques to lenticular image and phase shift superposition techniques. Moir superposition techniques enable creating superposition shape images at different apparent depth levels. Applications comprise the protection of documents and valuable articles against counterfeits, the creation of eye-catching advertisements as well as the decoration of buildings and exhibitions.

The present invention describes methods and apparatuses for creating superposition shape images by superposed base and revealing layers of lenslet gratings. The superposition shape images form a message recognizable by a human observer or by an image acquisition and computing device such as a smartphone. The superposition shape images may be created by different superposition techniques ranging from 1D moir, 2D moir and level-line moir superposition techniques to lenticular image and phase shift superposition techniques. Moir superposition techniques enable creating superposition shape images at different apparent depth levels. Applications comprise the protection of documents and valuable articles against counterfeits, the creation of eye-catching advertisements as well as the decoration of buildings and exhibitions.

The invention relates to a handling device for a valuable article that is usable as a means of payment and is of flat extent or punctiform. The handling device comprises a carrier element of flat extent that is foldable and bendable into a wave form and at least one valuable article fixed thereto. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a handling device for a valuable article.

The invention relates to a handling device for a valuable article that is usable as a means of payment and is of flat extent or punctiform. The handling device comprises a carrier element of flat extent that is foldable and bendable into a wave form and at least one valuable article fixed thereto. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a handling device for a valuable article.

There is described a printed security element (10; 10*; 10**) comprising a rainbow feature (15; 15*; 15**) exhibiting, at least in part, a gradual transition from a first colour (C1) to a second colour (C2) distinct from the first colour (C1), wherein the rainbow feature (15; 15*; 15**) extends over a colour-gradient area (A) of the printed security element (10; 10*; 10**) where first and second printed patterns (P1, P2) are partly superimposed or juxtaposed, each of the first and second printed patterns (P1, P2) comprising a first, respectively second set of linear or curvilinear elements (20, 30; 20*, 30*), the first and second printed patterns (P1, P2) being printed in register one with the other by means of two distinct printing plates (PP1, PP2) so that the first and second sets of linear or curvilinear elements (20, 30; 20*, 30*) are partly superimposed or juxtaposed in the colour-gradient area (A) and thereby generate the rainbow feature (15; 15*; 15**), the first printed pattern (P1) exhibiting the first colour (C1) and being printed by means of a first printing plate (PP1) and the second printed pattern (P2) exhibiting the second colour (C2) and being printed by means of a second printing plate (PP2), where at least the first or second printed pattern (P1; P2) exhibits, in the colour-gradient area (A), a modulation of line width or line structure such as to cause, when superimposed or juxtaposed with the other printed pattern (P2; P1), a gradual transition from the first colour (C1) to the second colour (C2), wherein, in the colour-gradient area (A), the second printed pattern (P2) is printed on top of the first printed pattern (P1) and wherein the second colour (C2) is darker than the first colour (C1). Also described is a method of producing the aforementioned printed security element.

A laminating machine comprises at least one material source, configured as a sheet feeder, for sheets of a material to be laminated. The laminating machine further comprises at least one laminating unit. The laminating machine also comprises at least two lamination sources, each for at least one web-type laminating material. The laminating machine additionally comprises at least one laminating unit for producing a material web, which is laminated on both sides, from the sheets and the respective at least one laminating material. At least one lamination control device is disposed downstream of a laminating region of the laminating unit, along a transportation path provided for the transporting of the laminated material web. The control device monitors a control region, lying outside a transport region that is occupied by the transportation path provided for the laminated material web.

A single plasma nozzle of a plasma treatment station is used to treat the card surface prior to performing drop-on-demand printing on the card surface. The single plasma nozzle has a plasma discharge width that is less than the width of the card. The card and the plasma nozzle are moved relative to one another using a two direction control scheme during plasma treatment in order to be able to plasma treat a desired area of the card surface. The card and the plasma nozzle may also be moveable toward or away from one another to change the distance therebetween.

A single plasma nozzle of a plasma treatment station is used to treat the card surface prior to performing drop-on-demand printing on the card surface. The single plasma nozzle has a plasma discharge width that is less than the width of the card. The card and the plasma nozzle are moved relative to one another using a two direction control scheme during plasma treatment in order to be able to plasma treat a desired area of the card surface. The card and the plasma nozzle may also be moveable toward or away from one another to change the distance therebetween.