EP0257121A1 - Method and laminating device for the production of card-like information carriers - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and laminating device for the production of solid plastic identity cards with a photo, wherein a liquid adhesive is applied to a prefabricated part of the card containing the photo, which adhesive hardens under the effect of electromagnetic radiation in a given wavelength range, namely ultraviolet radiation (UV radiation) within seconds. In this case, the adhesive can serve as a fixed connection of a covering film applied later on the laminated card or, with corresponding setting of its viscosity, itself form the top terminating film when it has hardened. In the latter case, the application of the adhesive takes place in the form of a continuous curtain of liquid over the card. <IMAGE>

Description

State of the art

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

For the production of ID cards, check cards, information carriers in general, in particular fully plastic ID cards made entirely from plastic layers, it is known to overlay the various layers, for example PVC foils, in order to achieve a defined structure with front, back and intermediate layers and possibly cover foils and then the Whole under heat and pressure to what is sought, so intimate molecular bond (laminate) that the ID no longer broken, for example for counterfeiting purposes, and parts, such as a glued-in picture of the future wearer, exchanged or other falsifications this can be done. After welding individual layers, a punching process can then follow.

This ID card production just explained is cumbersome and in particular also time-consuming, since first the individual layers have to be found, layered on top of one another and placed in a suitable laminator press, if necessary together with a separately provided photo of the later bearer, then the adhesive is then applied by pressure and heat. where, in numerical values for comparison purposes, the time required for the production of a single ID card is between 5 and 6 minutes, which, even if several, for example four or five ID cards, are produced at the same time, only results in production times of at least 1 1/2 - Let reduce for 2 minutes.

In addition, laminated ID cards produced in this way cannot rule out that the bond between the individual layers is not sufficient to be able to prevent counterfeiting absolutely reliably, and finally there is the further disadvantage that such ID cards can generally only be finished at the place of manufacture , so with photo and other Be Writings can be provided, so that the respective issuing bodies, which are usually not identical to the manufacturer, must transmit complete data documents to the manufacturer, and a cumbersome ordering and manufacturing procedure is required for each new ID.

However, it would be desirable to be able to produce such full plastic ID cards with a picture much faster and, above all, also at the point of issue without major effort, whereby the respective issuing body can be given blank ID cards or pre-made cards, which can then only be transferred by a last production step would have to be completed.

Accordingly, the present invention has for its object on the one hand to significantly speed up the production of plastic ID cards and on the other hand also to finish the ID cards at a different location than at the place of manufacture, for example at the institutes, companies, authorities and the like issuing these cards. the like.

Advantages of the invention

The invention solves this problem with the characterizing features of the main claim or the characterizing features of the first device claim and has the decisive advantage that finished identification cards in a fast cycle on the basis of partially prefabricated cards including photographic image of the carrier can be produced at high speed, for such a final workflow as the invention proposes, only time periods, expressed in numerical values, are at most 10 seconds per single card.

On the other hand, the invention also succeeds in drastically simplifying the manufacturing process of such identity cards with a purely plastic-based image, despite the laminated structure, and in particular making it completely problem-free, while achieving a particularly high level of security against forgery, which is not least due to the fact that one of the parties involved Components are still in the liquid state at the moment of their layer-like application to a partially prefabricated card, that is to say they have an aggregate state which enables a particularly intimate and, above all, inclusion-free and bubble-free connection to the other layers.

It is also particularly advantageous that the chemical reaction of the layer or adhesive material used to ensure the final connection is not achieved by the always slow processes of pressure or heat transfer - slowly because a heat transfer from a heated medium to, for example, a laminate layer always presupposes a certain period of exposure, but through the disembodied exposure to electromagnetic radiation, namely UV radiation in the specified wavelengths area, whereby the material used is subjected to an extremely fast curing, which takes place within seconds and at the same time results in the intimate, absolutely secure connection on a molecular basis to the other layers. This material, which hardens under the influence of UV radiation in the present invention, can be used as an adhesive for connecting a prefabricated card part to a cover layer or cover film; In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the adhesive can itself be used as a covering material, since it is possible with its liquid formation, with the setting of a corresponding viscosity, to apply such a (adhesive) material layer completely uniformly on the base (prefabricated card part) and then at lightning speed cure and so make the liquid adhesive itself to your own top layer, which is completely inextricably linked to the rest of the card layers. The UV-curing material in the liquid state is, for example, water-white and its viscosity is almost as liquid as water. It hardens to a glass-firm, clear layer substance.

The measures listed in the subclaims enable advantageous developments and improvements of the invention specified in the main claim or in the first device claim. It is particularly advantageous here to prefabricate the card with a suitable recess for receiving a photographic image to be inserted, prefabrication up to the application of the top cover layer or cover film. In this case, the prefabricated card part can be handed over as a blank to the respective point issuing the finished ID together with a device which is still to be carried out during this final production step, in which case this issuing body inserts the photographic image of the carrier known to it, still carries out corresponding inscriptions or inserts or inserts foils bearing such inscriptions and then only attaches the cover foil in the manner on which the invention is based, using the fast-curing adhesive or used this adhesive as a cover film. In other words, the method according to the invention enables considerably greater flexibility in the handling of such plastic laminate ID cards, since one can store prefabricated partial cards in stock and then individualize them at the issuing point.

In the area of the device producing the final production step, it may be useful to provide a pressure or form stamp which is applied to a base part after the initially still liquid adhesive or at least cover material has been applied - or, if appropriate, after another plastic cover film has been placed on the liquid applied adhesive material of the device in which the described composite of the all-plastic ID card is inserted, shuts down, exerts a predetermined pressure and at the same time enables the effect of electromagnetic or UV radiation. For this purpose, it is advantageous to design the stamp from a suitable UV radiation-permeable material, such as glass, suitable transparent plastic or the like, so that the stamp itself enables the required UV radiation effect during its application of pressure, for example, by even carries a suitable exposure lamp or at least such a refraction index has that the required radiation causing the rapid curing of the adhesive can pass essentially unattenuated.

If, on the other hand, the fast-curing adhesive is to form the cover film itself, then in one embodiment of the invention it is advantageous to adjust the liquid phase of the adhesive with such a viscosity, that is to say to a certain extent, that the adhesive is coated with a suitable dispenser or application device. which is about as wide as the card itself, is guided over the card in the manner of a downward flowing liquid curtain, so that a predetermined liquid coating of completely uniform thickness results on the inserted partial product, completed with a picture in a recess. Then only the UV radiation needs to be brought into effect, with or without the action of pressure from a suitably designed stamp, and the identification card is ready. Depending on the setting of the viscosity and the accuracy of the application process, a subsequent punching process can even be dispensed with.

drawing

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is explained in more detail in the following description. The drawing shows very schematically and only for a better understanding a device-technical possibility to carry out the method according to the invention, essentially in perspective Presentation.

Description of the embodiments

The basic idea of the present invention is to use an extremely fast-curing adhesive, liquid, application layer material or the like under the influence of a certain electromagnetic radiation (UV radiation) to produce all-plastic ID cards, preferably with an image insert, and in this way to laminate the manufacturing process of such Plastic ID cards, at least in the last stage of applying and completing the cover film, can be carried out particularly quickly and easily.

In this context, it is first and expressly pointed out that the highly schematic functional diagram shown in the drawing, which specifies the invention with the aid of individual components, does not limit the subject matter of the invention to this, but is only intended to illustrate basic functional effects and therefore serves for a better understanding of the invention. In particular, individual components can be constructed completely differently, which is entirely at the discretion of the person skilled in the art, depending on the requirements and the production possibilities, which are preferred in each case.

Likewise, any electrical and electronic logic circuits, but also microprocessors, can of course be used in the field of sequence control of the individual components ren, microcomputers, analog logic circuits and. Like. Be used so that a programmed manufacturing process is possible.

The functional basic structure in the present invention is then for the production of a full plastic ID card, preferably with an image, so that a card or card part prefabricated except for a top film or cover film is inserted into a device, this card part additionally having a recess or recess can who takes a picture. This prefabricated partial card with a picture in a recess is positioned under a dosing system for quick-curing adhesive. This adhesive is a product that cures quickly under the influence of a given electromagnetic radiation, in particular ultraviolet radiation. This UV-curing product or liquid is applied in liquid form to the prefabricated card part with an inserted image, and then, namely for a first embodiment, a dispenser device for a cover laminate or a cover film for dispensing and for applying the cover film to the liquid adhesive material Covered prefabricated card part with picture actuated. The laminate thus finished is then entered into a reaction chamber, it being advantageous to immediately design the entire production device, which receives the prefabricated card part, as a reaction chamber and to provide a corresponding pressure or pressing die, which moves downwards after the cover laminate has been applied, a predetermined one Exerts pressure and at the same time or later, preferably simultaneously the action of Allows UV radiation. This is best done if the printing plate is designed as a glass block with a corresponding refractive index for the unimpeded passage of the required UV radiation. When this UV radiation is applied, the adhesive material hardens within seconds, i.e. it hardens completely, glues the cover laminate to the prefabricated card part with a picture, and the ID card is finished, provided that the relevant point carrying out this final production step also contains corresponding additional information, insofar as required to be applied to the identification layers; this can be carried out, for example, and advantageously together with the production step that results when the photographic image is inserted. Together with this, layers or foils that have the appropriate inscription can be inserted into other recess areas, if necessary, also magnetic foils, magnetic tapes or the like. Finally, it is also possible to provide the entire identification card with areas that can be read out by infrared radiation enable. A label can also be printed or sprayed on (ink jet printer) within this manufacturing step.

Another embodiment of the present invention, as a variant, completely dispenses with the feeding of a separate cover film and uses the fast-curing adhesive material itself as the cover film, the viscosity of which is then expediently set so (thinly) that it is possible to work without a film. In this variant, a pouring curtain of the fast-curing adhesive material with a suitable covering the entire width of the card is inserted into the device, preferably the reaction chamber, with an image Card-extending pouring device applied, whereby a completely uniform coating thickness can be set, and then the UV exposure and immediate curing and completely insoluble, intimate connection of the quickly hardened special layer used simultaneously as an adhesive and top layer.

In the drawing, the reaction chamber 10 is shown as a stamp lower part 10a and a stamp upper part or pressure glass block 10b having a device, a prefabricated identification part being inserted into a cutout 11 of the stamp lower part 10a of the reaction chamber, which in itself can also be a partial laminate 12 becomes. This insertion can also be carried out by means of a separate insertion device for the prefabricated ID cards. The prefabricated card part 12 preferably has a cutout or recess 12a, into which an image 13 of the future badge holder is inserted before the special adhesive material is applied.

All of this happens under a dosing device for the fast-curing special adhesive, or such a dosing device is brought up after completion of the assembly, or the assembly is brought up to the dosing device, and the special adhesive is applied in liquid form, but with a predetermined viscosity. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing, a larger number of spray or dispensing heads 14a, 14b, 14c of any design are provided for the special adhesive, which are connected via a connecting line 15 and preferably electrically operated check valve 16 are connected to a reservoir 17 for the special adhesive. It goes without saying and it should be pointed out again at this point that the application of the special adhesive, but also the implementation of the subcomponents required for carrying out the invention, can be carried out and configured in any manner; So it is of course possible, instead of the spray heads 14a, 14b, 14c, to design the metering device for the fast-curing special adhesive differently, for example to let the adhesive emerge from a slot opening, or to provide a sub-device 18 that extends across the entire width of the into the reaction device inserted card extends and is then preferably moved in the transverse direction along the arrows A and B and thereby applies a liquid pouring curtain of the fast-curing special adhesive over the entire surface of the card. Thereafter, either the application of the cover film can continue, in accordance with the first embodiment, for which purpose a suitable dispenser device is provided for the cover laminate, which in the illustrated embodiment, which takes into account a particularly simple, possibly primitive embodiment, consists of two left and to the right of the reaction chamber there are cover laminate winding rolls 19a, 19b, one of which, namely 19b, can be driven by a motor 21 via an intermediate gear 20, so that fresh cover laminate can be drawn over the prefabricated part card initially coated with the liquid special adhesive; the new cover laminate part can then be separated, for example, by means of hold-down devices 22a, 22b, which are of fork-shaped design and are arranged on both sides Moving upwards or downwards, driven by assigned actuators or electric motors 23a, 23b, are applied to the prefabricated partial card, whereupon the upper pressure plate or the glass block stamp 10b then moves downwards and, under pressure and UV radiation, completes the entire structure within a few seconds and solidified to the finished card, if necessary also immediately punched to the final dimension.

The second variant then consists in dispensing completely with the dispenser device 19a, 19b for the cover laminate and in setting the viscosity of the fast-curing special adhesive which is then expediently applied in the manner of a liquid or pouring curtain in such a way that it is distributed in a completely uniform manner over the whole Allows the prefabricated partial map area to be applied so uniformly that subsequent curing by the UV radiation acting on it is possible without any problems.

In the drawing, an illumination device for generating UV radiation is shown at 24 in the area of the pressure glass block (upper stamp 10b), which, as is understood, is designed such that there is a uniform radiation density over the entire card area rapid hardening of the special adhesive results.

A suitable electrical or electronic sequence control is designated by 25 and controls, preferably also fully automatically, the individual still remain after the prefabricated production of the card the final manufacturing steps.

It goes without saying that the individual sub-steps, i.e. inserting the prefabricated card part, inserting the image into the recess, positioning under a metering system for fast-curing adhesive, applying the adhesive, provided with a transparent cover film with a further dispenser device and pressurizing the composite , Initiation of the adhesive reaction and punching the card to final dimensions in a corresponding number of consecutive stations can be carried out, which is sometimes preferable for a fast, automated workflow. It is therefore repeated again that the possible embodiment shown in the drawing is only given schematically and for a better understanding of the invention and does not imply any restrictions of the invention.

The rapid laminating device according to the invention for all-plastic ID cards with a picture, consisting of individual rows of stations or if sub-stations are combined to form components, is capable of finishing an ID card in a maximum of 10 seconds each, the individual components for card production expediently being designed as follows: insertion device for the prefabricated partial IDs, dosing device for the fast-curing special adhesive, dispenser for the cover laminate, reaction chamber, pressing and punching device, central process control.

For use as quickly exposed to UV radiation hardening special adhesive is a product called Vitralit, which can be purchased under this name with a number below (about 7256). The viscosity of such a product can be set sufficiently low and also contains at least so-called photoinitiators which respond to UV radiation and cause the curing mechanism.

In the foregoing, the fast-curing liquid material has essentially been referred to as an adhesive or adhesive; It goes without saying that this is only to be understood as a terminus technikus and it essentially depends on the function of this liquid, which forms a firm, for example coherent, connection with the respective base or substrate to which it is applied in any way.

It is of course possible that the raw card or the raw ID card, which is then coated with the fast-curing material in the manner according to the invention, is itself cut out of a suitable film or a flat plastic product, for example punched out and is therefore not laminated, but rather in one piece Has shape. Such a flat raw ID material can then have a recess for receiving the image of the carrier, into which the image is inserted; but it is also possible to simply place the image on the card and, if necessary, glue it in advance and then apply the liquid, fast-curing material. Finally, such an image of the carrier can also be applied to a substrate or a support by a method such as that described in US Pat. No. 4,464,454 is applied, so that only a wafer-thin film emulsion (and without any, otherwise always present film carrier) and therefore without any application (forming a bulge) to the card base and the liquid coating, also for the inseparable connection in the image area, forms the coating and is cured.

Suitable electromagnetic radiation is ultraviolet light with a wavelength in the range between approximately 0.25µ to 0.4µ and has been found to be particularly suitable.

Finally, it is still possible to apply the liquid, fast-curing material to the ID card using the basic principle of so-called centrifugal casting, which itself forms a rotating body (of course inserted in a holder accessible to a rotation) and then approximately in the middle of the card applies a drop or a predetermined amount of the liquid material, which is then distributed absolutely evenly under the action of the rotation (centrifugal casting), whereupon the UV radiation can be brought into effect immediately, for example while still maintaining the rotation, The coating thus formed hardens within seconds.

All features shown in the description, the following claims and the drawing can be essential to the invention both individually and in any combination with one another.

Claims (11)

1. A method for producing a card-shaped information carrier, for example identification card, ID card and. Like., In particular consisting of all-plastic material with an image of the carrier, wherein several individual layers are arranged one above the other and connected to each other (laminate) or a one-piece blank card blank is used as a base, characterized in that an under to apply to the surface of the laminate or the blank card blank the action of an electromagnetic radiation (UV radiation) lying in a predetermined wavelength range uses fast-curing material (adhesive), is applied in liquid form to at least a given partial surface area and is cured by the action of the electromagnetic radiation. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the laminate forming a prefabricated card or the raw card blank has a recess for receiving an image or the image and optionally further information / inscriptions placed on the prefabricated card or the image arranged as a single emulsion of a film on the prefabricated card and then the liquid material is applied and cured in the form of a cover film under the action of UV radiation. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that after inserting the image in the prefabricated part card this positioned under a metering system for the application of the fast-curing special adhesive and the adhesive is applied and that then a further transparent cover film is issued, applied to the composite and this is pressurized, the reaction of the adhesive being initiated simultaneously by the action of UV radiation. 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that after the curing reaction of the adhesive, the card is punched to its final dimensions. 5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fast-curing adhesive layer under the action of UV radiation is applied by adjusting its viscosity in the form of a liquid curtain so uniformly on the prefabricated partial card with an inserted image that the liquid simultaneously forms the cover layer after it has hardened , without feeding and applying a separate cover film. 6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fast-curing liquid according to the centrifugal casting principle on the prefabricated card as rotating body is applied so that a predetermined amount of liquid is given approximately in the middle of the rotating card and a flat distribution of the liquid layer with subsequent UV exposure is carried out by the rotational effect. 7. Schnellaminiergerät for performing the method according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a reaction chamber for receiving a prefabricated, provided with a liquid, UV-curing special adhesive part card is provided which provides an exposure device for generating and conduction of UV radiation curing the adhesive. 8. Laminator according to claim 7, characterized in that a pressure on the card composite stamp is provided in the form of a glass block with such a refractive index for electromagnetic radiation that the fast curing adhesive UV radiation reaches the card composite substantially unhindered. 9. Laminator according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by an insertion device for prefabricated part ID cards, preferably with an image arranged in a recess, a metering device for ultraviolet radiation (UV radiation) curing adhesive, a dispenser device for a on the liquid adhesive layer cover laminate to be applied and a reaction chamber with press, possibly punching device for the final production of the identity card. 10. Laminator according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that successively different stations for the completion of the all-plastic ID card are provided with an image, the functions of which are acted upon by a central sequential control system (25). 11. Laminator according to claim 7, characterized in that a rotary body holding the prefabricated card is provided, with means for applying a predetermined, fast-curing amount of liquid approximately in the card center and subsequent rotation for uniform distribution of the liquid according to the centrifugal casting principle and subsequent curing by UV exposure .

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