EP0189125A1 - Method and device for sealing information into card-like carriers - Google Patents

Abstract

Method and device for sealing data on card-like data media, particularly identity cards, comprised of a plurality of individual layers arranged on top of each other to form a synthetic material laminate. For the inscription of the identity card, a liquid is used which rapidly hardens under the effect of an electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined wavelength range, generally ultra-violet radiation (UV rays), and which consequently envelopes and encloses the colour pigments applied to the card surface at the same time as the liquid, thereby preventing them from getting worn out due to friction. Said colour pigments form the inscription on the card.

Description

State of the art

The invention is based on a method and a device in each case according to the type of the main claim and the first device claim.

In the production of card-shaped ID cards, for example in the form of credit cards and usually constructed from an all-plastic laminate, it is known to stack the individual layers, which can for example consist of PVC or another suitable plastic material, on top of one another and, if appropriate, including an interposed image of the future one Carrier to connect to each other by exerting pressure and heat, whereby it, as is desired in any case is a molecular bond between the individual layers, but at least to a sealing edge.

Is problematic in the production and finishing of such ID cards, information carrier cards and. Like. The need, which normally arises as necessary, to apply information, for example a lettering, to the ID card, as it will only be called in the following, either alone or together with images, magnetic strips or other, possibly only machine-readable codes ( Infrared chiaroscuro masking).

The labeling during the manufacturing process is unfavorable because it should be visually perceptible from the outside of the finished card, so that labeling can only be applied to the top layer, unless transparent cover layers are provided. In this case, however, middle layers must already have the finished inscription, and this may not be available at this point in time when the card laminate is put together, because it is not known to whom this card will later be assigned.

On the other hand, there are a number of disadvantages with the previously known labeling processes, which include printing processes, the use of so-called matrix printers or the possibility of using a so-called "hot stamping tape", the labeling possibly also in dots, similar to a screen printing process or by Embossing, can be applied. All of these labeling options have the disadvantage that they end up being eroded, that is, not, at least not to the extent required, are not abrasion-resistant, even if fast-drying or evaporating ink liquids or the like are used.

In general, there is a need to move the lettering in the area of the agency or institution that will ultimately issue the card, so that the cards can be issued as needed and demand, and the agency working with these cards is independent and, above all, also when reordering can react quickly. This possibility is excluded if each additional card, which can also be a shopping ID or the like, for example, must be reproduced by the manufacturer with delivery of all customer data. Experience has shown, however, that even with so-called embossed cards, the manufacturer usually makes these card embossments, with the embossing and slow operation of the embossing terminal being particularly disadvantageous in the case of embossing inscriptions.

Finally, it is also desirable to label the respective card or ID card because the customer also wants to recognize and check at least some information on the card in plain text.

The invention is therefore based on the object of an abrasion-resistant labeling option for identity cards, cards, in particular made of all-plastic laminate To create information carriers that can also be easily carried out by the customer, in which case only ready-made cards for carrying out the last final production steps, namely labeling and sealing, are then handed over to the customer.

Advantages of the invention

This object is achieved by the invention with the characterizing features of the main claim or the first device claim and has the advantage that although such cards can no longer be labeled by typewriter or the like because of their rigidity, even in the partially manufactured state, because they cannot be bent are, without problems and completely abrasion-resistant, can be subjected to any labeling options, and it is even possible to save the respective data in advance and to carry out the labeling using EDP means.

The key feature of the present invention, in any case for the simultaneous application and sealing of the information, a liquid that is quick to use under the action within a certain wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation (ultraviolet radiation - UV radiation), possibly extremely fast-curing liquid, enables the completion of such identification cards and the like Labeling sealing within a very short period of time, possibly in an automatic continuous process, although semi-automatic or purely manual labeling and sealing options are also conceivable are.

The liquid that cures when exposed to _UV radiation either serves as a coating (seal) for a previously written label on the card or, which may be preferred, the liquid is, at least temporarily in the labeling process or for certain geometric areas, the carrier for a special colored liquid (Ink), the color pigments then being completely distributed within this liquid. The liquid which hardens quickly under UV radiation is usually crystal-clear and has a viscosity approximately similar to that of water; it hardens to glass-hard within seconds or fractions of a second and then of course prevents any abrasion of color particles, since these particles are formed within the composite of UV-hardened carrier liquid and color pigments that is completely inextricably linked to the labeled card due to the sealing and adhesive properties of the liquid are stored. The design of the labeling liquid, ie the ink, as a sealing agent or sealing lacquer itself is particularly preferred. Advantageous developments and improvements of the invention are possible through the measures listed in the subclaims. A particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention is that a commercially available so-called inkjet printer is used and instead of a normal ink liquid on the card arranged in front of it at the usual distance, the composite liquid of ink (i.e. color pigments) and carrier liquid, which is the UV-curing liquid is, in the usual way sprayed on, so that the cards can be labeled particularly quickly without major changes to the other components of the inkjet printer. Immediately after finishing or spraying on the last character, the UV radiation can then be brought into effect, for example at the same station at which the inscription was carried out, or at a downstream exposure station, so that the inscription is then sealed against forgery and abrasion-proof and inseparably connected to the card thus finished a few seconds after the initiation of this last manufacturing step, it is ready and can be issued.

As is understood, the invention also includes the possibility, at the labeling station, of applying information or labeling the preferably prefabricated partial card, which, except for the last coating or the cover film, can be a finished composite laminate made of plastic layers using previously known methods , that is to say by embossing, printing, matrix printer or also by the inkjet printing method and only the subsequent sealing by spraying the liquid which hardens under the action of ultraviolet radiation either onto the letter areas or onto the entire card surface. Such spraying or application can also be carried out in the form of a liquid curtain, which is guided over the width of the card using suitable means and liquid dispensers, with subsequent exposure, so that a glass-hard, resulting in this way emerges from the crystal-clear liquid after exposure results in additional sealing cover layer or cover film in the finished card.

It goes without saying that single-color or multi-color lettering can also be implemented without any problems.

Finally, a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention lies in the measure of initially carrying out the labeling by means of the same or, if appropriate, different spray nozzles or spray systems of the inkjet printer used and then immediately afterwards by switching over and supplying the pure carrier liquid to effect the sealing. Such a step can also be carried out separately for each letter; So first spray the ink, then the sealing liquid. The application of information through the sealing ink also and expressly includes the application of images, that is to say images of the card user, for example by digitizing the coloring points. Drawing in us imple mentation of the invention is shown in the drawing; the drawing shows, in a particularly highly schematic form and simplification, an embodiment for labeling and simultaneously sealing card-shaped information carriers, ID cards and the like. Like., in perspective. Description of the embodiments

The basic idea of the present invention is to use a liquid in the area of the inscription of a card-shaped information carrier, an identification card or the like - in the following, only the term identification card will be used for all conceivable applications and embodiments, preferably consisting of an all-plastic laminate - when it is completely cured to a glass-hard consistency within a very short time, in particular a few seconds or fractions of a second, when exposed to electromagnetic radiation within a predetermined wavelength range, specifically ultraviolet radiation (UV radiation). In a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, this liquid can therefore be used as a carrier substance for the actual labeling means, the ink, the color pigments or the like, and is then applied together with the color pigments to the identification card to be labeled, which is then exposed to UV light -Exposed to radiation. This results in a simultaneous, highly effective and extremely fast labeling and sealing process for ID cards.

A second embodiment consists in that normal labeling is carried out and then sealed in a separate step - which is then to be understood both in terms of time and space - again using UV radiation very fast curing liquid. This can be applied and cured in the extreme case as a liquid layer on the then already inscribed partial ID card, so that there is an overall labeling seal, also applicable to the first embodiment, which, if one chooses a comparative example in porcelain manufacture, the term of "Underglaze painting" comes close, in which the applied characters, figures, ornaments u. Like. Are also completely resistant to abrasion, since the glaze protects them. In the present method of sealing labels, it is the hardened liquid that protects the lettering. At the same time, the liquid can be the labeling material, that is, it can form an immediately drying (namely under the action of UV radiation) special ink, this ink being a combination of UV-curing carrier substance or liquid and the color pigments.

A particularly preferred exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention comprises the use of known, particularly fast-working and advantageously also in the field of EDP systems which can be controlled by them or by microcomputers, microprocessors or other computer systems, so-called and known per se. Printers who, if necessary slightly modified, carry out the identification.

A first, preferred embodiment therefore consists in a schematic according to the drawing tized illustrated inkjet printer to supply 10 cards - in a simple embodiment, the card can also be manually inserted into the inkjet printer and removed again - so that it applies the desired lettering to the card in accordance with its control. The only thing that is decisive here is that the inkjet printer does not work with conventional, also not with fast-drying, ink or labeling liquid, at least not with this exemplary embodiment, but rather sprays a liquid that is a liquid compound and contains the UV-curing liquid mentioned above as a carrier substance which is mixed with a labeling liquid, contains appropriate color pigments or otherwise carries suitable materials for labeling.

A first sub-step therefore consists in the fact that after feeding a card to be inscribed by an attached card stacker 11, for example, which is also only shown in a very rough form in the drawing, the inkjet printer is actuated in the usual manner and the inscription of the card with the Liquid combination of ink, that is, color donor, and sealing liquid, so that the ink itself is the sealing lacquer. Subsequently, for example in the area of the inkjet printer 10 or also at a separate station, the exposure, more precisely the action of UV radiation on the marking liquid, whereby this cures immediately, namely at least within a few seconds to a glass-hard substance, with the result that the labeling process is hereby including sealing and ultimately the manufacturing process for the ID card is completed. Such lettering can no longer be brought down from the surface of the card onto which it has been sprayed, it is completely abrasion-resistant and tamper-proof, in particular also because during the application of the carrier substance, which has the viscosity in the liquid state, almost from the water and through that subsequent UV curing a particularly highly effective, molecular-based bond between the carrier liquid, the color pigments stored in it and the card surface, which cannot be separated.

The labeling process can be automated as shown schematically in the drawing; there is an automatic card transporter 12 which removes the cards from the stack 11 to be labeled, supplies them to the inkjet printer 10 and, after labeling and curing by UV radiation brought into action there or in a downstream station (not shown), the finished product , inscribed and sealed card feeds a removal stack 13. How such an automated control sequence and the transfer device are to be carried out in detail is not the subject of the present invention, and it is therefore not necessary to explain this in detail. For example, the automatic card transporter can work with pneumatic transport and folding arms 14a, 14b, 14c which exert a suction effect on the card.

A further embodiment of the present invention, which is within the scope of the invention, consists in arranging a sealing station in the area of the inkjet printer, which, however, can basically be replaced by any other labeling device in this variant, the normally applied labels, for example printed , but can also be sprayed on or written on, sealed in that the UV-curing liquid mentioned is coated or coated either only in the labeling area or preferably also the entire card surface. If the entire card is to be coated, this can also be done in the form of a liquid curtain, a suitable dispenser device, which extends across the width of the card or ID, being transported transversely to the latter and dispensing the liquid. After the liquid has been applied, the exposure is then carried out again on the spot or alternatively at a separate exposure station. Therefore, in this embodiment, the liquid hardened after UV exposure practically forms an additional layer on the ID card, which can certainly be understood as a cover layer or cover film and not only protects the lettering against erosion and damage, but also against any attempt at counterfeiting, since due to the nature of the liquid, which also contains intense adhesive properties, a completely indissoluble bond, also and in particular due to the type of liquid application and the subsequent hardening on the card, results which is no longer detachable. This adhesiveness of the liquid, which can also be referred to as a binder or adhesive which cures under the action of UV, also includes the possibility of forming a coherent connection with the base.

Another variant of the present embodiment consists, for example, in that, using the same inkjet printer equipment and with a suitable modification thereof, the inkjet printer is first caused to spray pure color liquid, for example conventional ink or the like, onto the identification card for inscription and then apply the UV-curing liquid from the same or from other nozzles that can be used instead, possibly only in the area of the lettering or on the entire card, again with subsequent UV exposure.

Finally, it is also conceivable to apply a possibly thin liquid coating of the UV-curing liquid to the prefabricated partial card, to leave it liquid or to cure it, then to label it in the usual way or to label and cure it with the UV-curing carrier substance using the composite liquid .

If you leave the first layer in liquid form, it requires a certain timing to ensure that the subsequent inscription does not run - in any case, you achieve a particularly intimate connection of the inscription with the base layer consisting of the UV-curing liquid, since in the present case they are made of the same material.

A suitable substance for the carrier liquid, which is fast when exposed to ultraviolet radiation cures, is for example a product known under the name Vitralit with the following number (about 7256), which can also be set to a sufficiently low viscosity. This product also contains at least so-called photomediators, which respond to UV radiation and cause the curing mechanism.

The method according to the invention therefore usually proceeds in such a way that cards prepared for labeling from an attached card stacker are fed to the modified inkjet printer, the labeling is carried out and then fed to a drying zone for exposure to UV radiation, which locally but also with the writing zone of the inkjet Printers can be the same; Subsequently, further stations, such as a magnetic stripe coding station, a punching station, if necessary, can be connected, from which the cards thus produced are then fed to another stacker.

The control electronics for the labeling by the inkjet printer can be designed autonomously or as peripherals (including V24) or as a PC variant.

In a simple embodiment, the inkjet printer can be operated like an typewriter by means of an alphanumeric keyboard, which of course also includes graphics, other data and the like. Like. In the sense of the labeling term according to the invention from memories (PROM) of the control electronics can be queried and supplied.

It is also possible to automatically increment a counter for each card and with a fully automatic process, possibly connected with an EAN code and a magnetic stripe coding device - provided as additional equipment. This can be done in a further expansion stage of the inkjet printer can be connected to a computing device, for example a personal computer (PC) with the advantages achieved thereby.

In its simplest form, the invention comprises a card, preferably punched out, from a piece, sheet or film of raw material (not laminated), preferably punched out, on which element the information or lettering can then be applied in the manner explained above, for example also with the arrangement of an image which, because of the advantages of the method according to the invention, does not necessarily have to be arranged in a correspondingly dimensioned cutout or recess in the raw card material, but rather can be stuck on simply, for example with double-sided adhesive tape. If the sealing is then carried out at least in the area of the information (lettering) and / or the image, then the card is ready, and it is also possible to save expensive manufacturing steps required for laminating such cards, and likewise a laminator can be completely dispensed with.

Finally, the arrangement of a photo on the card may preferably be as described in U.S. Patent 4,464,454, i.e. an emulsion which carries the image and is released from a subcarrier, and because of its extreme thinness - it is the pure thin film emulsion, i.e. without any conventional film carrier, for example made of polyester material - does not apply on the card in any way. This makes sealing even cheaper.

The wavelength of the UV radiation, which is preferably suitable for evaluation, is approximately between 0.25p. to 0.4μ and is expediently selected in such a range that no problems arise during the production and exposure process, for example due to ozone formation.

However, preference is given to the simultaneous application of ink and sealing liquid as a common substance of an ink sealing lacquer, card blanks being supplied with the company details, logos and the like to the inscription and sealing station (credit). This information and data are referred to as so-called fixed items that are already available in the blank production. The laminate, including the applied "fixed data", is first welded in a laminator with a transparent cover film and the "finished" blank is then applied to the sealing ink at a higher level (seen in the card cross-section) (usually at a different location, for example at the card issuer or user) This additional data, including, for example, an image (of the face of the user), is the so-called variable things that are handled by the invention.

Claims (10)

1. A method for applying and sealing information on card-shaped information carriers (lettering sealing), for example credit cards, identification cards, identity cards, in particular cards made of all-plastic material with an image of the carrier, which are arranged one above the other and connected to one another (laminate), characterized in that that a fast-curing liquid under the action of an electromagnetic radiation lying in a predetermined wavelength range (ultraviolet radiation - UV radiation) is used, that the liquid is applied at least to surface labeling areas of the information carrier (ID card) and that the electromagnetic is subsequently hardened for this liquid Radiation (UV radiation) is brought into effect. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid is at least temporarily mixed with color pigments during its application. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized indicates that the liquid forms the carrier substance for the colored coating agent, i.e. at the same time contains suitable color pigments and only at the locations of a card blank to be provided with data (personal details, images, codes, etc.) as a combined sealing / inking agent (ink sealing lacquer ) is applied. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the liquid as a carrier substance is sprayed onto the prefabricated ID card at least in predetermined periods during the inscription in conjunction with color pigments according to the so-called inkjet printing process and then cured to a glass-hard substance . 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that after the spraying of the UV-curing liquid as a carrier substance in combination with color pigments, the identity card passed to a curing station and there the curing in the labeling area is effected by the action of UV radiation. 6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the inscription of the identification card is carried out by customary methods (embossing, printing, matrix printer, inkjet printer) and then at least in the areas of the information (inscription) and / or an image of the carrier The UV-curing liquid is applied to the card as a coating (sprayed on, vapor-deposited, applied as a liquid curtain, centrifugally cast on the card as a rotating body and distributed evenly by rotation) and cured. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the composite color labeling liquid from UV-curing liquid and color (ink sealing lacquer) pigments / spraying inkjet printer is controlled by control electronics connected to further data processing devices (personal computers). 8.Device for sealing labels of card-shaped information carriers, for example identification cards, identity cards, in particular made of all-plastic material, through the stacking of different individual layers in the form of a laminate interconnected full-plastic ID cards, also with an image of the carrier, for carrying out the method according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a character is assigned to the identification spraying device (inkjet printer), a container for a fast-curing carrier liquid under the action of ultraviolet radiation for color pigments, which is sprayed onto the identification card at least at times together with the color pigments. 9. The device according to claim 8, characterized by a punching device for cutting out an identification card from a flat, one-piece raw material. 10. The device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by an insert arrangement for an image of the carrier which also represents information, in a recess in the identity card raw card or directly by applying and then applying the UV-curing liquid at least also to the image area and / or information area.

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