FOIL COMPOSITE CARD
20170069581 ยท 2017-03-09
Inventors
Cpc classification
B42D25/328
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
H01L23/57
ELECTRICITY
B32B2425/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
G06K19/07749
PHYSICS
H01L2924/0002
ELECTRICITY
B32B15/04
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B42D25/41
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
G06K19/06065
PHYSICS
G06K19/0775
PHYSICS
H01L2924/00
ELECTRICITY
H01L2924/0002
ELECTRICITY
B42D25/425
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B38/10
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B37/12
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B2367/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B7/12
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B2429/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
H01L2924/00
ELECTRICITY
International classification
B32B15/04
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B7/12
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B42D25/41
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
G06K19/077
PHYSICS
B42D25/425
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
G06K19/06
PHYSICS
B42D25/328
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
H01L23/498
ELECTRICITY
Abstract
Composite cards embodying the invention include a clear plastic core layer with an embossed metalized pattern formed on top of, or within, the core layer. A selected number N of clear plastic layers are formed on top of the embossed metalized pattern and a like number N of clear plastic buffer layers are formed below the clear plastic core layer. The metalized pattern is centrally located with layers above and below the pattern to protect the pattern and inhibit the unauthorized alteration of the embossed metalized pattern while enabling the embossed metalized pattern to be visible. Selected ones of the N clear plastic layers include selected information and a window is formed within the pattern to enable the selected information to be seen.
Claims
1. An assembly for forming a document comprising: a clear plastic core layer having first and second, spaced apart, surfaces, extending generally parallel to each other; a pattern embossed on, or in, said first surface of the dear plastic core layer; a metal or a metal compound vapor deposited on the embossed pattern to form an embossed metalized pattern whereby light incident on the embossed metalized pattern produces a reflected light pattern corresponding to the embossed metalized pattern and wherein the vapor deposited metal, or metal compound, forms a layer which is thin enough to allow see-through; and a selected number N of clear plastic layers formed on top of the embossed metalized pattern and a like number N of clear plastic buffer layers formed below the second surface of the clear plastic core layer; where N is an integer equal to, or greater than, one; said selected layers for forming a document having an embossed metalized pattern located along said first surface of the clear plastic core layer so as to be centrally located relative to a direction perpendicular to said first and second surfaces of the clear plastic core layer and protected and also for inhibiting the unauthorized alteration of the embossed metalized pattern while enabling the embossed metalized pattern to be visible; and wherein selected ones of said N clear plastic layers include selected information; and wherein a window is formed within the pattern to enable the selected information to be seen.
2. An assembly for forming a document as claimed in claim 1, wherein the embossed metalized pattern is a customized pattern and wherein said selected number N of clear plastic layers includes a first clear plastic buffer layer attached to the top surface of the embossed metalized pattern via a first clear adhesive layer; where the top surface of the embossed metalized pattern is defined as the portion of the embossed metalized pattern away from the first surface of the clear plastic core layer; and a corresponding second clear plastic buffer layer attached to the second surface of the clear plastic core layer via a second clear adhesive layer; wherein the first and second clear plastic buffer layers have a predetermined thickness and wherein the first and second clear plastic buffer layers are of similar predetermined thickness; and wherein the first and second clear adhesive layers each have a certain thickness and wherein the first and second clear adhesive layers are of approximately the same certain thickness; and a third clear plastic layer on which information may be selectively written attached to the first clear plastic layer and a fourth clear plastic layer on which information may be selectively written attached to the second clear plastic layer.
3. An assembly for forming a document as claimed in claim 1 wherein the embossed metalized pattern is customized by application of a laser beam.
4. An assembly for forming a document as claimed in claim 1, wherein the embossed metalized pattern is formed on, or in, said first surface of the clear plastic core layer.
5. An assembly for forming a document as claimed in claim 4, wherein the embossed metalized pattern formed on, or in, the first surface of the clear plastic core layer includes a layer of metal vapor deposited on the embossed layered pattern to form a hologram viewable when light is incident on said first surface of the clear plastic core layer; and the layer of the vapor deposited metal is thin enough to enable light to be seen when viewed through the second surface of the clear plastic core layer.
6. An assembly for forming a document as claimed in claim 4, wherein the embossed metalized pattern formed on the surface of the core clear plastic layer includes a metal compound having a high refraction index vapor deposited on the pattern to refract the light incident on the embossed metalized pattern.
7. An assembly for forming a document as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pattern is formed on said first surface of the clear plastic core layer by first depositing an embossing layer on the first surface of the clear plastic core layer and then embossing a desired pattern within the embossing layer.
8. An assembly for forming a document as claimed in claim 7, wherein a layer of metal is vapor deposited on the desired pattern embossed within the embossing layer for forming a hologram viewable when light is incident on said first surface of the clear plastic core layer; and the layer of metal is thin enough to enable light to be seen when viewed through the second surface of the clear plastic core layer.
9. An assembly for forming a document as claimed in claim 7, wherein a metal compound having a high refractive index is vapor deposited on the desired pattern.
10. An assembly for forming a document as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vapor deposited metal, or metal compound, is a few atoms thick so as to be sufficiently thin to allow light to pass through all the layers for enabling see-through while at the same time enabling a visible image to be reflected.
11. An assembly for forming a document as claimed in claim 2, further including a fifth layer attached to the third layer and a sixth layer attached to the fourth layer, and wherein portions of the fifth or sixth layers include printed information.
12. An assembly for forming a document as claimed in claim 2, further including additional layers attached to the third and fourth layers, and wherein portions of selected ones of said additional layers include printed information.
13. An assembly for forming a document as claimed in claim 2, further including additional layers attached to the third and fourth layers, and wherein a selected one of said additional layers includes an integrated circuit (IC) and an antenna for enabling information to be stored in the IC and to be received and transmitted.
14. An assembly for forming a document as claimed in claim 2, further including additional layers attached to the third and fourth layers, and wherein a selected one of said additional layers includes an integrated circuit (IC) and an antenna for enabling information to be stored in the IC and to be received and transmitted; and further including an opening on one side of the assembly for accessing the IC.
15. An assembly for forming a document as claimed in claim 2, further including additional layers attached to the third and fourth layers, and wherein selected ones of said additional layers include at least one of selected information and patterns; and wherein portions of the metal or metal compound vapor deposited on the embossed metalized pattern are removed to enable the selected information and patterns to be seen.
16. An assembly for forming a document as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pattern is customized by applying a laser beam to the pattern.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In the accompanying drawings (which are not drawn to scale) like reference characters denote like components, and:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Referring to
[0033] A layer 22 of aluminum (or any suitable metal or metal compound such as Zinc Sulfide) may then be vapor deposited on the diffraction pattern to form a hologram. The use of vapor deposition is very significant in that it permits a very thin layer 22, a few atoms thick, to be formed on surface 21a and thus complete the formation of the hologram, using small amounts of metal. Using vapor deposition, the thickness of the layer can be made very thin so it is nearly transparent and can provide a see-through effect. Alternatively, the metal layer can be made a little thicker so as to be more opaque.
[0034] As detailed in step 3 of
[0035] As detailed in step 4 of
[0036] In one embodiment, the base layer 21 was approximately 0.002 inches thick and the adhesive backed layers (23a, 23b) were each made to be approximately 0.0001 to 0.0003 inches thick. In other embodiments the layers 23a, 23b could be made either thinner or much thicker.
[0037] In still other embodiments, adhesive layers can be coated over the buffer or carrier layer and the two (i.e., the carrier and buffer layers on each side of a holographic layer) can be combined with the holographic layer. That is, adhesive can be applied to either side of the carrier foil interface and then pre-laminated together (3 sheets laminated to become one laminate; i.e., the prelaminate prior to platen lamination. Thus, the carrier sheet can hold the sub-assemblies for transfer to substrates for forming cards.
[0038] Examining
[0039] As shown, for example, in step 1, the base component may be a sheet 21 of plastic (e.g., PET or OPET or polypropylene, or polystyrene, or polymethyl, methacrylate, etc. . . . ) material whose thickness typically ranges from 0.0005 inches to more than 0.005 inches. In one embodiment layer 21 was made, for example, 0.002 inches thick.
[0040] Then, as shown in step 2A, which may be termed an embossing step, a diffraction pattern may be formed on one side of layer 21. A diffraction pattern may be formed directly in the plastic layer 21 by embossing (e.g., stamping) pattern(s) therein. Forming the pattern in a sheet of plastic (or in an embossing layer, as discussed below) is easier and less wearing on the embossing (stamping) equipment than forming a like pattern in a metal layer.
[0041] Then, as shown in step 2B a hologram is formed on one surface (21a) of plastic sheet 21 by vapor deposition of a metal layer (e.g., aluminum onto the diffraction patter. Thus, the hologram may be formed by embossing the top surface 21a to form a diffraction pattern and then metallizing the pattern. The surface 21a may be coated by the vapor deposition of aluminum (or similar light reflective materials such as nickel, silver, zinc, or other like materials). A significant advantage of using vapor deposition (although many other methods may be used) is that very small amounts of the metal (light reflective material) need to be used to form the hologram resulting in a significant savings in the cost of manufacturing the card (or instrument). Also, very thin layers allow a controllable amount of light to pass through. This enables the manufacture of a card, or document, in which an image (hologram) formed on a card is reflected (i.e., is visible) while also enabling a viewer to see-through the image.
[0042] Then, as shown in step 3 of
[0043] Then, as shown in step 4 of
[0044] Thus, as shown in step 4 of
[0045] By forming the hologram at, and within, the core level, the hologram will not be easily, or inadvertently, damaged since several additional layers will be attached to the top and bottom of the holographic layer. It is also not subject to easily being tampered or altered. Forming the hologram at the center of the structure minimizes the possibility of tampering while fully protecting the hologram. Another significant advantage of forming the hologram at the core of the structure is that the top and bottom surfaces stay flat due to equal shrinking and/or expansion of all the layers. Note that the card structure is formed so as to be symmetrical about the core layer.
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[0047] [Note that a hologram may be formed by, for example, embossing a pattern in a carrier base material (e.g., a hard polyester) or by embossing the pattern in a coating previously applied to the carrier base material, or by embossing the pattern in a metal which was previously deposited onto the base carrier material or by depositing the metal onto a soft coating and then embossing.]
[0048] Referring back to
[0049] The subassembly 30 may then be used to form a card, or any instrument, by attaching a layer 27a, 27b of clear or white PVC material to the top and bottom surfaces of the subassembly 30. As illustrated in
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[0051] Then, as shown in
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TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I Example of Steps and materials in forming core, sub assembly and card step I II III IV 1 Start with Start with Start with Start with base/central base/central layer base/central base/central layer 21/210 21 of PET/OPET layer 21/210 layer 21 of of PET/OPET material material of PET/OPET PET/OPET material material 1A Deposit Deposit embossing layer embossing 200 on one surface of layer 200 on layer 21/210 one surface of layer 21/210 2 Emboss one surface Emboss top Emboss one Emboss top surface of of base layer 21 with surface of surface of base embossing layer 200 pattern embossing layer 21 with with pattern 200a layer 200 with pattern pattern 200a 3 Vapor deposition of Vapor Vapor Vapor deposition of HRI metal 22 on pattern deposition of deposition of coating 212 on pattern metal 22 on HRI coating 212 pattern on pattern 4 Apply clear primer Apply clear Apply clear Apply primer clear coats coats 23a, 23b to primer coats primer coats 23a, 23b to top and top and bottom 23a, 23b to top 23a, 23b to top bottom Where primer Thickness: and bottom and bottom coat 23a, 23b .00002-.0002 Thickness: Thickness: Thickness: .00002-.0002 .00002-.0002 .00002-.0002 5. Form clear PE Form clear PE Form clear PE Form clear PE adhesive adhesive layers 24a, adhesive layers adhesive layers layers 24a, 24b fairly 24b-fairly thick, 24a, 24b fairly 24a, 24b fairly thick, sticky sticky thick, sticky thick, sticky Thickness: Thickness: Thickness: Thickness: .0005-.005 .0005-.005 .0005-.005 .0005-.005 6. Form clear buffer Form clear Form clear Form clear buffer layer layer 25a, 25b of buffer layer buffer layer 25a, 25b of PVC material PVC material 25a, 25b of 25a, 25b of thickness thickness PVC material PVC material .0008-.005 .0008-.005 thickness thickness .0008-.005 .0008-.005 7. Form clear white Form clear Form clear Form clear white PVC PVC layer white PVC white PVC layer white PVC layer layer 27a, 27b layer 27a, 27b 27a, 27b 27a, 27b Thickness .004 to .012 Thickness .004 to Thickness .004 Thickness .004 .012 to .012 to .012 8. Form PVC Form PVC Form PVC Form PVC laminating laminating film 29a, laminating film laminating film film 29a, 29b 29b 29a, 29b 29a, 29b Thickness .0008 to .005 Thickness .0008 to Thickness Thickness .005 .0008 to .005.sub. .0008 to .005 All dimensions in inches