WO1986004299A1

WO1986004299A1 - Method and device for sealing data on data cards

Info

Publication number: WO1986004299A1
Application number: PCT/EP1986/000021
Authority: WO
Inventors: Werner Vogt
Original assignee: Interlock Sicherheitssysteme Ag
Priority date: 1985-01-21
Filing date: 1986-01-16
Publication date: 1986-07-31
Also published as: DE3501765A1; ES551045A0; DE3501765C2; DK449686D0; BR8604733A; ZA86440B; EP0189125A1; ES8701533A1; DK449686A; AU5454386A; JPS62501764A

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

Method and device for sealing information on card-shaped information carriers

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 or the first device claim.

In the production of card-shaped ID cards, for example in the form of credit cards and usually constructed from a fully plastic laminate, it is known to stack the individual layers, which can be made of PVC or another suitable plastic material, for example, and , optionally including an interposed image of the future wearer, to be connected to one another by exerting a pressure and heat effect, whereby, as is desired at any rate is a molecular bond of the individual layers, but at least to a Randkanten¬ sealing.

Is problematic in the production and finishing of such ID cards, information carrier cards and. Like. The need, which normally arises as necessary, to provide information, for example a label, on the identity card, as it will be called in the following, either alone or together with images. Magnetic stripes or other, possibly only machine-readable codes (infrared light-dark masking).

The labeling during the manufacturing process is unfavorable because it should be visually perceivable 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 is later to be assigned.

On the other hand, there are a multitude of disadvantages with the previously known labeling methods, which include printing methods, the use of so-called matrix printers or the possibility of using a so-called "ot 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 to say 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 office working with these cards is independent in the case of subsequent orders, and above all Things can also react quickly. This possibility is excluded if each additional card, which can also be, for example, shopping cards or the like, has to be reproduced by the manufacturer with delivery of all customer data. Experience has shown, however, that even in the case of so-called embossed cards, the manufacturer generally makes these card embossments, the embossed and slow mode of 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 providing an abrasion-resistant inscription option for identity cards, cards, in particular made of all-plastic laminate To create information carriers that can also be carried out by the customer without any problems, in which case only ready-made cards for carrying out the last final production steps, namely labeling and sealing, are transferred 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 are no longer due to their rigidity even in the partially manufactured state, for example by typewriters or the like. can be labeled because they are not bendable, can be subjected to any labeling options without any problems and, moreover, are completely abrasion-resistant, it even being possible to save the respective data beforehand and to label them using EDP means.

The key feature. The present invention, at least for the simultaneous application and sealing of the information, enables the use of a liquid, which may be extremely fast-curing, under the action of electromagnetic radiation (ultraviolet radiation - UV radiation) under the action within a certain wavelength range the final production of such ID cards and the labeling sealing within a very short period of time, possibly in an automatic continuous process, although partially automatic or purely manual labeling and sealing options are also conceivable are .

The liquid which cures when exposed to UV radiation either serves as a coating (sealing) of a previously written label on the card or, which may be preferred, is the liquid, at least temporarily in the labeling process or for certain geometric areas, the carrier for one special color liquid (ink), the color pigments then being completely distributed within this liquid, usually the liquid which cures rapidly under UV radiation is crystal-clear and has a viscosity approximately similar to water; it hardens as hard as glass within seconds or fractions of a second. Then, of course, it prevents any abrasion of color particles, since within the thus formed, due to the sealing and adhesive properties of the liquid, it is otherwise completely inextricably linked to the inscribed card made of UV -Hardened carrier liquid and color pigments are stored. It is particularly preferred to design the labeling liquid, ie the ink, as a sealant or sealing lacquer. The measures listed in the subclaims allow advantageous developments and improvements of the invention. A particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention consists in 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 consisting of ink (ie 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. The UV radiation can then be used immediately after the last character has been sprayed on or sprayed on

Can be brought into effect, for example at the same station at which the inscription was carried out, or at a subsequent exposure station, so that the inscription is then sealed against tamper-proof and abrasion-resistant 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 output.

As is understood, the invention also includes the possibility, at the inscription station, of applying the information or inscribing the preferably prefabricated partial card, which is already a composite laminate made of plastic layers, except for the last covering or the cover film can be carried out using previously known methods, that is to say by means of embossing printing methods, matrix printers or also by the inkjet printing method, followed by sealing by spraying the liquid which hardens under the action of ultraviolet radiation either only onto the letter areas or onto the entire surface of the card . 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 liquid emerges from the crystal-clear liquid after exposure , created in this way results in additional sealing cover layer or cover film in the finished card.

It goes without saying that one-color or multi-colored inscriptions can also be easily implemented.

Finally, a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention resides 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 it now _. to effect the sealing of the pure carrier liquid. Such a step can also be carried out separately for each letter; that is, first spraying on the ink, then the sealing liquid.

The application of information by 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

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing; the drawing shows in.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 consists 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 for all conceivable application possibilities and embodiments is preferably made of an all-plastic laminate Information carrier used - to use a liquid which, when the

10 effect of electromagnetic radiation within a predetermined wavelength range, specifically exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UV radiation) within a very short time, in particular a few seconds or seconds.

15 fractions completely hardened to a glassy consistency. In a first embodiment of the invention, this liquid can therefore be used as a carrier substance for the actual labeling means

Ink, color pigments or the like are used and

" _N together

-v is then / with the color pigments applied to the identification to be inscribed, after which it is exposed to the exposure to UV radiation. This results in a simultaneous, highly effective and extremely fast inscription

25 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 the UV radiation. very fast curing liquid. In an extra case, this can be applied and cured as a liquid layer on the partial identification then already inscribed, so that there is an overall inscription seal, also for the first

Applicable embodiment results, which, if one chooses a comparative example in the production of porcelain, comes close to the concept of "underglaze painting", in which the applied characters, figures, ornaments and the like. Like. Are also completely resistant to abrasion, since the glaze protects them. In the case of the present method for sealing seals of identification, it is the hardened liquid which protects the inscription. At the same time, the liquid can be the inscription material, that is, it can form an immediately drying (namely under the influence 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 area of EDP systems which can be controlled by them or by microcomputers, microprocessors or other computer systems, so-called and known per se Inkjet printer which, if necessary slightly modified, carry out the identification of the identification card.

A first, preferred exemplary embodiment therefore consists, according to the drawing, of a schematic Feed the illustrated inkjet printer 10 cards - in a simple embodiment, the card can also be manually inserted into the inkjet printer and removed again - in such a way that the card inserts the desired lettering on 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 lettering liquid, at least not with this exemplary embodiment, but rather sprays a liquid that is a liquid compound and as a carrier substance the UV-curing agent mentioned above Contains liquid which is mixed with a labeling liquid, contains corresponding color pigments, or otherwise carries materials suitable for labeling.

A first sub-step therefore consists in the fact that, after a card to be labeled has been fed in by a card stacker 11, for example, which is also only shown in a very rough schematic in the drawing, the inkjet printer is actuated in the usual way and the labeling of the card with the liquid combination of ink, that is to say color donor, and sealing liquid, so that the ink itself then carries out the sealing lacquer, for example in the area of the inkjet printer 10 or also at a separate station, or more precisely, the exposure The effect of UV radiation on the inscription liquid, as a result of which it cures immediately to a glass-hard substance, namely at least within a few seconds, with the result that the inscription method is hereby used including sealing and ultimately the manufacturing process for the identity card is completed. Such inscription 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, which has the viscosity in the liquid state, almost of the water substance and, through the subsequent UV curing, a particularly highly effective, molecularly located bond between the carrier liquid, the color pigments embedded in it and the card surface, which cannot be separated.

The labeling procedure can be as automated ^', as schematically shown -in the drawing; an automatic card transporter 12 is provided, which takes the cards from the stack 11 to be inscribed, feeds them to the inkjet printer 10 and, after inscription and curing, by UV radiation brought into action there or in an unillustrated form, downstream station supplies the finished, labeled and sealed card to 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 lies within the scope of the invention, consists in arranging a sealing station which is normal in the area of the inkjet printer, but which in this variant can basically be replaced by any other labeling device applied inscriptions, which can be printed, for example, but also sprayed on or written on, sealed by coating or coating either only in the inscription area or, preferably, also the entire card surface with the UV-curing liquid mentioned. If the entire card is to be coated, this can also be done in the form of a liquid curtain, with a suitable dispenser device that extends over the width of the

Card or ID card extends, is transported transversely to these and dispenses 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 exemplary embodiment, the liquid cured after UV exposure practically forms an additional layer on the identification card, which can be understood as a cover layer or cover film and not only protects the inscription against erosion and damage, but also against any attempt by one Effect of counterfeiting, since the nature of the liquid, which also contains intense adhesion, results in a completely insoluble bond, also and in particular due to the type of liquid application and the subsequent hardening on the card, which is no longer soluble . 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 entering into a coherent connection with the base. A further variant of the present embodiment consists, for example, in that using the same inkjet printer equipment and appropriately modifying it, the inkjet printer is first caused to use pure color liquid, for example conventional ink or the like, on the identity card to spray on the inscription and then to apply the UV-curing liquid from the same or from other nozzles that can be used instead, possibly only in the area of the inscription 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 harden it, then to label it in the usual way or by means of the composite liquid with the UV-curing carrier sub ¬ to stamp and harden.

If the first layer is left fluid, then it takes a certain timing to ensure that the subsequent inscription does not run - in any case, a particularly intimate connection of the inscription with that of the UV-curing liquid is achieved existing underlayer, since in the present case they consist of the same material.

A suitable substance for the carrier liquid, which is fast when exposed to ultraviolet radiation hardens, 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 thereupon fed to a drying zone for exposure to UV radiation, which locally but also with the writing device zone of the inkjet printer can be identical; 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 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 from memories according to the invention

(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 EAH code and a magnetic strip coding device provided as additional equipment. 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 a raw material (not laminated), preferably punched out, on which element the information or labeling can then be applied in the manner explained above , for example also with an arrangement of an image which, owing to 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 then takes place at least in the area of the information (lettering) and / or the image, then the card is finished, and it is also possible to save expensive manufacturing steps required for laminating such cards, and the same can be done with a laminator be constantly waived.

Finally, the arrangement of a photo on the card may preferably be as described in U.S. Patent 4,464,454, i.e. one by one

Subcarriers dissolved, the image-bearing emulsion, which because of its extreme thinness - it is the pure thin film emulsion, ie without any conventional film carrier, for example made of polyester material, - in no way on the card. This makes sealing even cheaper.

/ 16 The wavelength of the UV radiation, which is preferably suitable for evaluation, is approximately between 0.25μ to 0.4μ and is expediently chosen in such a range that no problems arise during the production and exposure process , for example by ozone formation.

However, preference is given to the simultaneous application of ink and sealing liquid as the common substance of an ink sealing lacquer, card blanks being supplied with the company details, logos and the like to the labeling and sealing station (credit). These details and data are referred to as so-called fixed items that are already present in the blank production. The laminate, including the "fixed data" applied, is first welded to a transparent cover film in a laminator, and the blank is then "finished" on this blank (as seen in the card cross-section) and the sealing ink is applied (usually elsewhere) , such as the card issuer or user) This additional data, including, for example, an image (of the user's face), are the so-called variable objects which are handled by the invention.

Claims

'? Claims

1. A method for applying and sealing information on card-shaped information carriers (lettering sealing), for example credit cards, identification cards, ID 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), thereby , characterized in that a liquid which hardens 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 (identity card) and that the electromagnetic radiation (UV radiation) is then brought into effect for the curing of this liquid.

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, that is to say at the same time contains suitable colored pigments and only at the locations of a card blank to be provided with data (personal details, illustrations, codes and the like) as a combined sealing / inking agent (Ink sealing varnish) is applied.

4th Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the liquid as a carrier substance at least in predetermined periods during the labeling in conjunction with color pigments according to the so-called. Inkjet printing process is sprayed onto the prefabricated ID card and then cured to a glass-hard substance.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that after spraying the

Transfer the UV-curing liquid as carrier substance in combination with color pigments to a curing station, where curing is effected in the labeling area by the action of UV radiation.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the inscription of the identity card is carried out by customary methods (embossing, printing, matrix printer, ink jet printer) and then at least in the information (inscription) and / or an image of the carrier bearing areas of the card, the UV-curing liquid is applied as a coating (sprayed on, vapor-deposited, coated 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 lettering liquid from UV-curing liquid and color (ink sealing lacquer) pig enten / spraying inkjet printer -., -

is controlled by a control electronics connected to further data processing devices (personal computers).

8. Device for sealing labels on card-shaped information carriers, for example

Identification cards, identity cards, in particular made of all-plastic material, through the superimposition of different individual layers in the form of a laminate interconnected all-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 device spraying on the identification card (inkjet printer), a container for a carrier liquid for color pigments which hardens under the action of ultraviolet radiation and 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 a likewise

Image of the carrier representing information in a cutout in the identity card raw card or directly by placing and then applying the UV-curing liquid at least also on the image area and / or information area.