EP1147018A1 - Method and installation for producing personalized coupons - Google Patents

Abstract

An installation for manufacturing personalized coupons comprises a set of work stations with at least a feed station (110) for supplying blank coupons (C), a personalization station (120) for personalizing blank coupons (C), and a cutting-out station (130) for cutting out personalized coupons (C). A system for transporting coupons (C) between the various work stations (110, 120, 170) comprises at least one chain (1) driven in indexed manner by motor-driven sprocket wheels (2), and a set of clamps (5) mounted at a constant pitch on links of the chain (1) and co-operating with opening/closing means (37) placed in fixed positions, so that each clamp takes hold of an individual blank coupon (C), transports said coupon (C) between the various work stations, and releases the coupon (C) in a station (180) for collecting the finished or semi-finished product. Each clamp (5) has a pair of jaws for clamping a marginal zone of a coupon (C) in at least two regions thereof which are spaced apart from each other in the travel direction of the chain (1), and external abutments secured to one or other of the jaws for laterally positioning the coupon.

Description

 Method and installation for manufacturing personalized coupons

Field of the invention

The subject of the present invention is an installation for manufacturing personalized coupons comprising a set of work stations with at least one station for supplying basic coupons, a station for personalizing basic coupons and a station for cutting out basic coupons. and a system for transporting basic coupons between different workstations.

The invention also relates to a chain production process for personalized coupons comprising at least one step of supplying basic coupons to a first work station, a step of personalizing basic coupons to a second work station and a step of cutting the personalized base coupons at a third work station, the basic coupons being successively transported from one work station to another.

PRIOR ART We have already proposed different types of methods and installations for manufacturing personalized documents such as identification cards, in particular secure identification cards, such as identity cards, driving licenses, cards. bank cards, social security cards, badges. Such identification cards include a basic support or coupon, for example made of paper or plastic, on which various personalization information is reported, such as information using alphanumeric characters or information using photographic images. Personalization information differs from one card to another. Security elements can also be added to the basic coupons, or to additional sheets combined with the basic coupons, for example using chemical inks, UV varnish, phosphors, embossing. Finally, personalized and secure basic coupons are often laminated. Existing installations are generally very complex, in particular due to problems of synchronization of different successive operations leading to finished cards. It is indeed advisable to avoid any shift in the successive operations in particular of printing or cutting of the various cards produced successively on the same installation. The known methods of manufacturing identification cards also involve significant losses of consumable products (strips of paper or plastic to receive personalized information, strips of plastic for the plasticization operation), in particular due to the lengths d priming necessary to ensure the adjustment of the installations. It follows that these known installations are not suitable for the manufacture of small series of cards, since they imply significant losses of products and a relatively long processing time for each series of manufacture.

Existing installations do not lend themselves easily to a modification of their characteristics due to a lack of modular character.

Subject and brief description of the invention

The invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks and to allow the manufacture of personalized coupons such as identification cards of excellent quality, in particular secure cards, at a reduced cost and with great flexibility of adaptation to methods of different manufacturing.

The invention aims in particular to guarantee the operation of a card manufacturing installation without any shifts or faults occurring during production.

The invention also aims to make it possible to quickly and without loss of raw material, the manufacture of small series of personalized and secure identification cards. These aims are achieved, in accordance with the invention, thanks to an installation for manufacturing personalized coupons such as identification cards comprising a set of work stations with at least one basic coupon supply station, a personalization of the basic coupons and a station for cutting the personalized basic coupons, and a system for transporting the basic coupons between the different work stations, characterized in that the basic coupons transport system comprises a carousel comprising at least one link chain driven by pinion motors indexed, and a set of pliers mounted with a constant pitch on links of the chain and cooperating with opening means / closure placed at a fixed station, to individually enter a basic coupon, transport this basic coupon between workstations and unload this basic coupon in a finished or semi-finished product recovery station as a card personalized identification, each clamp comprising a pair of jaws for gripping a marginal zone of a basic coupon at least in two regions thereof which are distant from each other in the direction of movement of the chain, and external stops integral with one or the other of the jaws for laterally positioning the base coupon entered between said jaws. The grippers can be actuated mechanically, electromechanically, magnetically or pneumatically.

According to a particular embodiment, each clamp has lateral attachments on the chain with links arranged below the plane of grip of the base coupon by the jaws. Each clamp has a central spring disposed between on the one hand a lower plate made integral with the upper jaw, and on the other hand the lower face of the lower jaw.

Advantageously, each clamp comprises vertical external stops directed upwards and integral with the lower jaw. Preferably, the grip width of the jaws of each clamp is between 3 and 5 mm.

According to a particular embodiment, the clamp opening / closing means comprises a mechanical pusher secured to a connecting rod-crank type mechanism. According to another particular embodiment, the clamp opening / closing means comprises a rotating cylinder generator.

According to a particular aspect of the present invention, the basic coupon supply station comprises a transfer-cut station for transferring a section of a strip to a clamp. arranged transversely to the chain and comprising a succession of sections constituting basic coupons.

More specifically, the supply station comprises means for supporting a reel for storing said strip, a pair of superimposed cylinders between which the strip coming from the reel is clamped and which constitute a motorized pulling bridge, a motorized guillotine arranged between the motorized pulling bridge and the path of the grippers and an optical cell to control the arrival, opposite the grippers, of the basic coupons to be cut by the guillotine from sections of the strip and intended to be gripped grippers actuated by gripper opening / closing means arranged in the vicinity of the supply station and synchronized with the indexed feed of the link chain.

The supply station can also include a loader of precut base coupons and gripping means, for example of the suction cup type, for supplying a base coupon with a clamp located at the supply station during each time of operational stop of the cyclic operation of the installation. The installation according to the invention advantageously comprises coding marks on each of the clamps.

At least one station for personalizing the base coupons can be constituted by an individualized printing station for at least one face of the base coupons transported by the clamps. According to a particular embodiment, the card manufacturing installation comprises a station for pre-cutting the personalized base coupons, a suction cup mechanism for individual transfer of the pre-cut personalized base coupons to a laminating station supplied by upper strips. and lower of plastic material introduced parallel to the direction of movement of the pre-cut personalized basic coupons, and a station for cutting and retrieving the finished personalized cards with evacuation and winding in a station for forming a reel of skeleton residual of the strips of material plastic after cutting the finished personalized cards. In this case, the plasticizing station may comprise a pair of heating shoes arranged at the level of the introduction of a personalized base coupon precut between said upper and lower strips of plastic material, two pairs of motorized cylinders and pressurized to ensure lamination and sealing of a custom base coupon pre-cut with the upper and lower strips of plastic, and cooling fans.

According to another particular embodiment, the card manufacturing installation comprises a pre-plasticization station with upper and lower rollers for feeding plastic strips perpendicular to the direction of travel of the link chain to form a portfolio. wrapping an insert consisting of a pre-cut personalized base coupon held by a clamp, and a plasticizing station acting on the assembly constituted by said portfolio and its insert held by a clamp.

The pre-laminating station includes a device for feeding two strips of plastic material with a single first longitudinal edge of each of the strips passing through a heating shoe before the two strips are driven through a pair of motorized rollers which ensure the sealing of the two strips on their first longitudinal edges to form a backing film kept open by a shoe tree before receiving said insert and forming a portfolio after cutting by a device for transversely cutting the backing film to form a sandwich driven by the central insert held by a clamp to a plasticizing station.

Advantageously, the strips of plastic material each consist of a film of a base material such as polyester provided with a coating layer compatible with the insert and promoting heat sealing, such as polyethylene and the strips of plastic material. upper and lower have their coating layers facing each other.

According to a particular embodiment, the card manufacturing installation comprises a plasticizing station comprising first and second endless perforated and welded metal strips motorized by a set of four cylinders, two non-opposing cylinders of which are fitted laterally with sprockets , the first and second metal strips having a parallel path portion in which they enclose at least one assembly constituted by said portfolio and its insert held by a clamp, this parallel path portion successively comprising heating shoes, a pair of rolling rolls and cooling means .

The motorization of the drive members of the plasticizing station is synchronized with the indexed motorization of the main gripper transport chain so that the perforated metal bands and the link chain advance simultaneously by the same amount.

Advantageously, the first and second endless perforated metal bands have band closing means the thickness of which is less than that of the assembly constituted by a portfolio and its insert, and which are arranged offset on the first and second metal bands so as to be located in free spaces between two successive sets comprising a portfolio and its insert.

Preferably, the pitch of perforation of the metal strips is identical to the pitch of the link chain equipped with pliers. According to another particular embodiment, the card manufacturing installation comprises a closed auxiliary chain with links driven by indexed motorized sprockets and equipped with a set of auxiliary clamps mounted with a constant pitch on links in the chain auxiliary and a closed main chain with links driven by indexed motorized sprockets, in synchronism with the auxiliary chain and equipped with a set of main clamps mounted with a constant pitch on links of the main chain.

In this case, in an application to a card manufacturing installation making it possible to introduce personalized data by photography, the auxiliary chain moves successively in front of a photosensitive negative coupon supply station, a photographic shooting station for transferring personalized data on the photosensitive negative coupon, a station for developing the negative coupon by soaking in an activator bath, and a station for superimposing under pressure the negative coupon with a positive base coupon supplied from a coupon supply of positive base, and gripper opening / closing means are arranged at least at the negative coupon supply station and at the negative coupon stacking station with a positive basic coupon. The main chain moves successively in front of at least one positive base coupon supply station, a pre-wetting station, a pressure superposition station with a negative coupon with a positive base coupon, a transfer-development zone in which the negative coupon is superimposed on the positive base coupon to allow an image transfer from the negative coupon to the positive base coupon, a station for removing the negative coupon by mechanized peeling of the latter relative to the positive base coupon, a station for washing the positive coupon by soaking in a water bath, a first wringing station, a stabilization station by soaking in a stabilizing bath, a second wringing station and a drying station.

More specifically, the pressurized stacking station with a negative coupon and a positive base coupon comprises a pair of motorized gears equipped with spacing cams and integral with the transmission shafts of a pair of cylinders press-transfer between which are inserted in superposition a negative coupon and a positive base coupon held respectively by pliers driven by the auxiliary chain and the main chain, one of said spacing cams being provided with a position light angular and a spacer boss. According to another particular embodiment, the station for removing the negative coupon by mechanized detachment comprises a set of three motorized round belts acting on an edge of the negative coupon previously tightened in a clamp of the auxiliary chain and slightly projecting relative to the coupon positive on the side opposite to the positive coupon retaining clip.

The installation according to the present invention makes it possible to introduce personalized data both by photography and by printing and also to combine the two types of technique on the same production line. According to a particular embodiment, the card manufacturing installation includes a personalized data printing station on a basic coupon from a thermal transfer ribbon supplied transversely to the direction of movement of the transport link chain of the basic coupon, and removed after printing a basic coupon, also transversely to the direction of movement of the basic link transport link chain.

The personalized data printing station comprises a device for unwinding at constant tension the thermal transfer ribbon, put in the form of a reel, which unwinding device itself comprises a friction support acting on the reel or its mandrel. , first and second cylinders pressurized between which is introduced the unwound thermal transfer ribbon, at least one torque generator coupled with one of the shafts of the first and second cylinders and connected to a chassis of the unwinding device by a member anti-rotation.

The personalized data printing station comprises a constant voltage winding device, which device comprises first and second superimposed cylinders ensuring a drawing of the thermal transfer ribbon after passing in front of a printing head, at least one torque generator associated with the drive shaft of at least one of the first and second cylinders and a geared motor group for rotating both the torque generator and a ribbon receiving mandrel to be wound under the shape of a coil around said mandrel after drawing by passage between said first and second cylinders.

According to an alternative embodiment, the personalized data printing station comprises a reel for storing a thermal transfer ribbon and a reel for receiving thermal transfer ribbon whose diameters in the full state are not greater than approximately three times the diameter in an empty state, the storage and receiving coils being located on either side of a print head, a torque generator is directly coupled to the support mandrel of the storage coil and is connected to the support frame of said mandrel by an anti-rotation member, and a torque generator associated with a motorisation member is directly coupled to the support mandrel of the receiving coil. The basic coupons can be paper or plastic. However, these basic coupons can also be produced in the form of wafers comprising, where appropriate, elements of electronic circuits, such as an integrated circuit and a wound antenna, for example.

The invention also relates to a chain production process for personalized coupons such as identification cards comprising at least one step of supplying basic coupons to a first work station, a step of personalizing basic coupons to a second work station and a step for cutting the basic coupons personalized at a third work station, the basic coupons being successively transported from one work station to another, characterized in that the transport of the basic coupons from one workstation to another, is carried out individually using pliers mounted with a constant pitch on the links of a link chain driven in an indexed manner in a closed circuit and in that each basic coupon transported and pinched is gripped along one of its marginal zones at least in two regions thereof which are distant from each other in the direction of movement of the chain, while by cooperating with the same pliers.

The step of supplying basic coupons may include the transfer and cutting, at the level of a clamp brought to a supply station, of a section of strip disposed transversely with respect to the link chain and comprising a succession of sections constituting basic coupons.

The procurement stage can also be carried out from a stack of pre-cut basic coupons.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the step of personalizing a basic coupon comprises supplying, opposite a print head, a thermal transfer ribbon unwound at constant tension from a reel storage, the transfer of personalized data, by printing using the print head, on a basic coupon superimposed on the thermal transfer ribbon, and the evacuation of the thermal transfer ribbon by pulling it to constant voltage before winding on a receiving coil. According to a particular embodiment, the method comprises a step of laminating a basic coupon and prior to the laminating step, each basic coupon held by a clamp is inserted in a portfolio consisting of a format of film film produced from two sections of plastic strips brought perpendicular to the running direction of the link chain and sealed together on only one of their longitudinal edges, located at the front of the corresponding base coupon in the direction of transport of this coupon. According to another particular embodiment, the method comprises a step of plasticizing a basic coupon and prior to the plasticizing step, each basic coupon held by a clamp is released from the clamp by cutting and gripped by a suction cup mobile to be transported individually to a plasticizing station supplied with plastic by upper and lower bands introduced parallel to the direction of movement of the movable suction cups.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the method for manufacturing identification cards comprises a step of forming and transporting negative coupons each seized in a marginal zone at least in two regions thereof which are distant from it. one from the other, in the direction of movement of an auxiliary chain in a closed circuit, using a clamp transported by the auxiliary chain with indexed advance, a step of forming and transporting positive basic coupons seized each in a marginal zone at least in two regions thereof which are distant from each other, in the direction of movement of a main chain in closed circuit, using a clamp transported by the main chain with indexed feed, a step of superimposing and pressing a negative coupon and a positive base coupon, a step of transporting a positive coupon and a negative coupon superimposed using the only clamp transported by the main chain, a step of removing the negative coupon by mechanized detachment and a step of transporting and processing the only positive coupon using the clamp transported by the main chain.

Brief description of the drawings Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description of particular embodiments, given by way of examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic overview of a first example of an installation for manufacturing secure identification cards according to the invention,

- Figure 2 is a schematic overview of a second example of installation for manufacturing secure identification cards according to the invention, - Figure 3 is an overall view of a gripper mechanism a coupon used to manufacture a secure identification card,

FIG. 4 is a top view of an individual gripper for gripping a coupon usable in the mechanism of FIG. 3, - FIG. 5 is a side view of the clamp of FIG. 4,

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views of the clamp of FIGS. 4 and 5, in the direction of travel of this clamp, respectively in the closed and open positions of the clamp,

FIG. 7 is an overall view of a station for forming a plastic case for protecting a secure identification card,

FIG. 8 is a top view of part of the station in FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a view on a larger scale, in the direction of arrow F, of a part of the station in FIG. 7 showing the formation of a protective case,

FIG. 10 is a view, in the direction of unwinding of a strip of material, of a device for maintaining a constant tension,

- Figure 11 is a side view of the device of Figure 10, - Figure 12 is a view, in the direction of the winding of a strip of material, of a device for maintaining a constant tension,

FIG. 13 is a side view of the device in FIG. 12,

FIGS. 14 and 15 are side and top views of a variant of a device for unwinding and winding a strip of material at constant tension on a printer with small reels, FIG. 16 is a side view of an example of the implementation of a device for constant tension of a strip of material on a printer with large spools,

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the kinematic chain of a laminating station of a secure identification card,

FIGS. 18 and 19 are views respectively from the side and from above of an example of a plasticizing station using the kinematic chain of FIG. 17,

FIG. 20 is a detailed view showing the positioning of the junction zones of the sections of drive belts of the kinematic chain,

FIG. 21 is a schematic overall view of a third example of an installation for manufacturing secure identification cards according to the invention, implementing a method of reproduction by transfer,

FIG. 22 is a view, in the direction of scrolling of the coupons, of a station for transferring a negative coupon to a positive coupon in the installation of FIG. 21,

FIG. 23 is a front view of spacer cams mounted on motorization gears in the transfer station of FIG. 22,

FIG. 24 is a side view of pressing-transfer cylinders used in the transfer station of FIG. 22,

FIG. 25 is a side view showing the separation of a negative coupon and a positive coupon after a transfer reproduction operation in the installation of FIG. 21,

FIG. 26 is a view along arrow F ₁ in FIG. 25 showing the superposition of the negative and positive coupons,

FIG. 27 is a detail view showing the pinching of a negative coupon when the latter is separated from a positive coupon,

FIG. 28 represents views of elements of identification cards during different stages of manufacture using the installation of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 29 represents views of elements of identification cards during different stages of manufacture using the installation of FIG. 21. Detailed description of particular embodiments

The invention allows the production of personalized coupons such as identification cards and more particularly secure identification cards such as identity documents which, in addition to any security elements present on different cards of the same type, personalized data that differs from one card to another. The personalized data may include a series of alphanumeric information, such as information relating to civil status, and graphic elements such as an identity photograph or a signature.

These personalized data can be stored in a computer file or a manual file, from which they are transferred, by a printing or photographic transfer process, to basic coupons, during the process of manufacturing identification cards. .

The present invention thus makes it possible to ensure the personalization of the basic coupons by means of a printing process, a photographic process or a combination of the two, the graphic elements being able for example to be transferred to a basic coupon. by a photographic process, while alphanumeric data is reported by a printing process.

The installation according to the invention allows great flexibility of implementation thanks to its modular design and to an individual transport system of the basic coupons between the different work stations.

A first example according to the invention of an installation for manufacturing identification cards will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

The installation 100 comprises a vertical panel 101 serving as a support for all of the functional elements defining the various work stations of the installation. The vertical panel 101 can itself be mounted on any type of mobile or fixed chassis. Advantageously, the space situated on one side of the panel 101, for example the space situated behind the plane of FIG. 1, can serve as housing for the various electric motorization or control members while the space situated in front of the plan of figure 1 can serve as housing for different organs of the production chain through which the basic coupons circulate, leading to the formation of finished or semi-finished products.

The installation of FIG. 1 comprises a carousel comprising a chain of links 1 in closed circuit driven by motorized pinions 2 in an indexed manner. A set of pliers 5, an example of which will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 and 6A, 6B, are mounted with a constant pitch on links of the chain 1 and cooperate with opening means / closure, such as 37 (Figure 3) or 343 (Figure 21) placed at a fixed station, to each individually enter a basic coupon C, transport this basic coupon C between workstations and release a card as a finished product or semi-finished when the basic coupon C has undergone all the desired treatments. In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the link chain 1 successively serves a station 110 for supplying basic coupons Ci, a station 120 for personalizing basic coupons Ci which is constituted in the example considered by a post of double-sided printing 121, 122 of the thermal transfer type, and a station 130 for cutting out basic coupons C ₂ . At the cutting station 130, a coupon C ₃ , which constitutes a semi-finished individualized product, is collected by a movable suction cup 131 which ensures the transfer of the coupon C ₃ to a work station 140 which in the example considered constitutes a plasticizing station. The movement of the movable suction cups 131, 132 intended to grip the cut coupons C ₃ is synchronized with that of the chain 1 but takes place along a path independent of the closed circuit path of the chain 1.

The plasticizing station 140 is supplied by upper 152 and lower 162 strips of plastic material coming from reels 150, 160 mounted on mandrels 151, 161, which strips 152, 162 are introduced parallel to the direction of movement of a basic coupon pre-cut custom C ₃ , on either side thereof, between two successive pairs 142, 143 of motorized cylinders and pressurized to ensure rolling and sealing of a coupon with sections of the upper and lower strips 152 , 162 of plastic. Before their introduction between the first pair of cylinders 142, the upper and lower strips 152, 162 of plastic material are brought into contact with heating shoes 141 and after the exit of the second pair of cylinders 143, the plastic card C comprising the personalized coupon C ₃ sandwiched between the strips of material plastic C ₄ is subjected to the action of cooling fans.

The plasticized card C ₅ comprises the personalized coupon C ₃ sandwiched between the two strips of plastic material 152, 162 sealed together around the entire circumference of the coupon C ₃ , for example in a frame 3 mm wide. The card C5 is introduced into a station 170, 180 for cutting and recovering the finished personalized cards C ₆ with evacuation and winding around a mandrel 191 in a station for forming a coil 190, of the residual skeleton C ₇ of the strips of plastic after cutting the finished personalized cards C ₆ . FIG. 28 shows the successive states of the coupons Ci to C ₆ between the supply station 110 and the recovery station for the finished products.

The installation of FIG. 1 is particularly suitable for the case where the base coupon C is made of paper and must be protected by a plastic envelope sealed in a sealed manner over the entire periphery of the personalized and precut base coupon C ₃ .

FIG. 2 shows another example of an installation 200 for manufacturing identification cards in accordance with the invention using a link chain 1 in a closed circuit driven by indexed motorized sprockets and comprising a set of clamps 5 mounted with a constant pitch on links in chain 1.

The clamps 5 can be mounted at a constant pitch which can correspond for example to ten links and constitutes the indexing pitch.

In FIG. 2, the various useful members can be mounted on a vertical panel 101 in a manner analogous to the installation 100 in FIG. 1.

The installation 200 of FIG. 2 comprises a station 110 for supplying basic coupons C, a set 120 for personalizing basic coupons C comprising a station 121 for printing the front of a coupon and a station 122 for printing of the back of the coupon, a pre-laminating station 230 allowing a personalized base coupon to be brought to a laminating station 240 while remaining transported by the same clamp 5, a station 170 for cutting a finished plastic card, a mat 180 for recovering finished cards and a station 290 for removing residual parts of the basic coupons resulting from the cutting operation at the station Work 170. Before describing in more detail embodiments of supply station 110, pre-laminating station 230, laminating station 240 and personalization station 120, or will explain with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 6A and 6B a preferred embodiment of a clamp 5 intended to grip a basic coupon at different stages of the manufacture of a card and to transport this basic coupon to different work stations while being driven by the endless chain 1 with links which, in the installation 200 of FIG. 2 passes successively in front of all the work stations.

Each clamp 5 comprises a pair of jaws 54, 55 for gripping the edge of a basic coupon C essentially over the entire length thereof in the direction of movement of the chain 1. Vertical external stops 52 directed upwards and integral with the lower jaw 54 ensure correct positioning of a base coupon which is gripped by a clamp 5 over a length L and a width t. For example, the gripping width t of the jaws 54, 55 of each clamp 5 is between 3 and 5 mm. The length L of grip of the jaws 54, 55 may for example be 70 mm for a basic coupon having in the direction of movement of the clamps a dimension of the order of 100 mm. The clips 5 thus enclose a base coupon C over a length L which constitutes more than half the dimension of the coupon in the direction of movement of the clips.

Each clamp 5 has lateral fasteners 51 allowing attachment, for example by a system of quick couplers, to the link chain 1. The fasteners 51 are arranged below the plane for gripping a basic coupon by the jaws 54, 55.

Each clamp 5, which can for example be made of stainless steel, comprises a central spring 59 disposed between on the one hand a lower plate 56 made integral with the upper jaw 55 by lateral uprights 57 and on the other hand the lower face of the lower jaw 54. The spring 59 can be held in the central position by a centering stud 53 secured to the lower face of the lower jaw 54. The lateral fasteners 51 are connected to the lower jaw 54 by a connecting piece 50.

FIG. 6A shows a clamp 5 in the closed position while FIG. 6B shows a clamp 56 in the open position under the action of a pushing member 37 comprising for example a spherical head.

In the example considered, the clamps 5 are actuated mechanically but they could also be actuated magnetically, electromechanically or pneumatically. In particular, the elastic return means of the jaws 54, 55 included in the clamp 5 could be different from the spring 59.

It is important that the grip length L of a coupon C by the jaws 54, 55 constitutes a substantial portion of the length of the coupon C and it is essential that the pressure of the jaws 54, 55 is distributed over a marginal area of a coupon C in at least two regions distant from each other in the direction of travel of the coupons in order both to avoid deformations of the basic coupons and to guarantee a secure maintenance of these coupons.

The internal bearing faces of the jaws 54, 55 may be provided with a coating promoting adhesion, for example in the form of a set of points distributed over the entire surface and constituted for example by diamond powder. According to an alternative embodiment, the jaws 54, 55 may however undergo a slight calibration so that the pressure exerted by the clamp on the card captured is slightly stronger at the two front and rear ends of the clamp. By way of example, pliers 5 can be installed every ten links of a chain with a pitch of 12.7 mm, ie every 127 mm. The constant pitch between the clamps 5, which corresponds to a constant whole number of links naturally depends on the size of the cards to be manufactured. The card manufacturing installations according to the invention can typically comprise, for example, between 20 and 80 clips. This makes it easy to quickly make small series of cards. Since the complete journey by a clamp of all the workstations is less than 3 minutes, the waiting time for a card of a new type is very reduced. In a stabilized production regime, the production rate can be around 1,200 cards produced per hour. The clamps 5 can advantageously be provided with a set of coding marks, such as a bar code, which makes it possible to precisely monitor the development of the clamp within the installation.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a station 110 for supplying basic coupons C from a strip of material B wound in the form of a coil 30 around a mandrel 31. The strip B can be made of paper, plastic, photosensitive material of negative or positive type. The strip B can in particular be made of a material comprising a safety bottom. In FIG. 3, it can be seen that the reel 30 for storing the strip B is supported by rollers 32. The support rollers could however also act directly on the mandrel 31, on either side of the reel 30. The strip B coming from the reel 30 is pinched between a pair of superimposed cylinders 33 which constitute a motorized pulling bridge 33. A motorized cutter 34 is arranged between the motorized pulling bridge 33 and the path of the clamps 5 to ensure the cutting of a section of the strip B which will constitute a basic coupon C gripped by a clamp 5, the opening of which is effected by an opening / closing mechanism 36 comprising a pusher head 37 acting on the clamp 5 and secured to a system connecting rod-crank 38 driven by a motor 39 controlled synchronously with the advance of the chain 1 and clamps 5 so as to allow the opening of a clamp 5 when the latter is temporarily stopped in front of the station supply ent 110 to receive a basic coupon C cut by the cutter 34 whose action is also synchronized with that of the advance of the clamps 5 and takes into account the information of an optical cell 35, for example a reading cell with optical fibers, intended to control the position, relative to a clamp 5, of the basic coupon C to be cut from the strip B. In certain cases, if the strip B already contains information which must be located at a determined location each basic coupon C, several fiber optic reading cells can be used to detect not only a coupon length, but also the location of printed marks. In this case several cutting operations can be planned if necessary. As indicated above, once a basic coupon C has been introduced into a clamp 5 and has come into abutment on stop tabs 52, the pusher 37 of the opening mechanism 36 is retracted and the upper jaw 55 of the clamp 5 is biased downwards by the spring 59 to pinch the coupon C against the lower jaw 54.

With reference to FIG. 3, a base coupon supply station has been described from a strip of material wound in the form of a reel 30. The supply station 110 could also, as a variant, include a loader of pre-cut basic coupons and means of unstacking and / or gripping such as suction cups to supply basic coupon from this loader, in synchronization with the chain stop movements 1, each clamp located at supply station 110.

A description will now be given with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 of an example of a technique for preparing a plasticizing step for a basic coupon, which is implemented at the workstation 230 in FIG. 2 and can be used in particular when the basic coupon itself is plastic or when the sealing problems of the finished plastic card are not critical. This technique of preparation for the plasticization step, by making, from two sections of plastic strip, a case or wallet in which the personalized basic coupon is inserted, makes it possible not to cause breakage in gripping by the clamps 5 of the formats leading to the production of finished personalized and laminated cards.

The pre-plasticization station 230 or preparation of a walled plastic film in the form of a portfolio, comprises upper rollers 60 and lower 70 for feeding strips of plastic material Pu, P ₁₂ perpendicular to the direction of travel of the chain link 1 fitted with pliers 5.

The coils 60, 70 wound around mandrels 61, 71 are supported by rollers 62, 72 respectively which, according to a variant could act on the mandrels 61, 71 rather than on the coils 60,70. After return by a roller 73, the lower strip P ₁₂ is placed in superposition with the upper strip Pu at the level of a roller 74. A only the longitudinal edges of the superimposed strips Pu, Pι ₂ pass through a heating shoe 65 before the superimposed strips are pinched and driven jointly by a pair of motorized rollers 66 which seal the two strips Pu, Pι ₂ on their first longitudinal edges so as to form a backing film comprising upper 67 and lower 77 faces connected by an edge 89. The backing film 67, 77 is held open by a shoe tree 81 and defines a free space in which a base coupon 87 held by a clamp 5 can be introduced from the rear. In FIG. 29, a basic coupon Pi has been shown held by a clamp 5 and inserted between the two sheets of a plastic film coated P ₂ , the connecting edge D of which is located at the front, in the direction of travel of the coupons, so that the drive of the coupon Pi by the clamp 5 secured to the chain 1 with indexed movement also drives the wallet or case P ₂ enclosing the coupon Pi, to a next work station consisting of a plasticizing station.

The backing film 67, 77 enclosing a base coupon 87 held by a clamp 5 has been released from the bands Pu, Pι ₂ using a shear-shaped cutting device acting transversely to the bands Pu, Pι ₂ .

The cutting device may include a cutting blade 85 arranged under the shoe tree 81, a cutting blade 82 cooperating with the counter blade 85, and a plate 84 cooperating with springs 86 and acting as a film press on the film 67 during the cutting operation. Also seen in Figure 9 a spring 88 serving as a return spring of the shoe tree 81 consisting of a V-shaped piece. The counter blade 85 is mounted on a support 83 and provides a space under the shoe tree 81 for the film 77.

With the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9, the upper face of the shoe tree 81 descends with the shears under the action of the plate 84, which avoids deforming the upper film 67 relative to the lower film 77 during the cutting by the blade 85 and makes it possible to obtain two sections of cut film 67, 77 of the same dimensions perfectly superimposed. The spring 88 makes it possible to raise the upper face of the shoe tree 81 between two cutting operations. The two plastic films Pu, P ₁₂ are advantageously made of polyester with a layer of polyethylene. When the Pu, Pι ₂ films are superimposed, the polyethylene layers are opposite. The heating shoe 65 is regulated in such a way that only the polyethylene is melted in order to then seal between the first longitudinal edges of the two films at the level of the cylinders 66.

It will be noted that the basic coupon 87 can be made of paper or flexible plastic, but can also be rigid and made of any other material that can undergo plasticization. In particular, the coupon 87 may consist of a rigid or semi-rigid card equipped with an integrated circuit chip and, where appropriate, a wound antenna.

A description will now be given with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20 of an example of a plasticizing station 240 which can be used following the pre-plasticizing station 230 which has just been described. The laminator 240 essentially comprises two perforated metal strips 528 which are welded or closed in joining zones 529 (FIG. 20) so as to constitute endless strips driven in an indexed manner. The endless perforated belts 528 are driven by four motorized cylinders 522, 523 arranged in pairs, two non-opposing cylinders 522 of which are laterally provided with spikes (or "Caroll" wheels).

The metal strips 528 are in contact, in their upstream part, with two regulated heating shoes 541, 542. A pair of rolling rollers 524, 525 is arranged following the heating shoes 541, 542. Cooling shoes 551, 552 are in contact with the metal strips 528 downstream of the rolling rolls 524, 525.

The metal strips 528 thus have a parallel path portion in which they enclose at least one card constituted by a wallet P ₂ made of plastic material and its insert held by a clamp 515.

The perforations of the metal strips 528 and the studded wheels 522 make it possible to perfectly locate the junctions 529 of the endless bands 528 and thus make it possible to ensure that these junctions 529 are located, in the indexed motorization movement, in the inter-card space . It can be noted that if the strips 528 were not perforated and controlled in their positioning by the studded wheels 522, the bands 528 would have junctions 529 which would be positioned randomly on the card to be laminated and would cause a plasticization defect making a mark. On the contrary, according to this aspect of the invention, if E designates the pitch between two adjacent clips 515 for holding the cards, the junctions 529 can be located strictly in inter-card spaces (FIG. 18). The junctions 529 of the two endless metal strips 528 are preferably offset with respect to each other by a distance d corresponding to one step or an integer number of steps of the clamps 515 (FIG. 20). The connecting elements of junctions 529 must themselves have a thickness less than that of a card (that is to say of a wallet and its insert) driven by a pair of metal strips 528. In this way , one can obtain a glaze and a very good flatness of the plasticized card, thanks to the constant and rigorous maintenance between the two metal strips 528.

The motorization of the laminator 240 is linked to the motorization of the main chain 1 with clamps 515, so that there is simultaneous advance and of the same quantity of the roller chain 1 and of the perforated metal strips 528. The pitch of the the perforations of the bands 528 is advantageously the same as that of the chain for driving the pliers 515.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show the support frame 521 of the laminator, the axis 511 of the gripper chain 515, the plan 516 for circulation of the laminating cards, the clips 515 for holding the cards, as well as springs 532. and screws 531 for adjusting the pressure exerted by the upper cylinders 523 relative to the lower opposing cylinders 523.

FIG. 17 shows the diagram of the general motorization 510 of the laminator 240 with a chain 501 driven by motorization pinions 502 associated with counter rollers 503 and a deflection roller 504. In FIG. 19, the reference 538 designates in addition to one of the drive gears of the rolling rolls 524, 525. The references 526 and 527 in FIG. 18 also denote a spring and a screw for adjusting the pressure exerted on the rolling rolls 524, 525. In FIGS. 18 and 19, heating shoes 541, 542 and cooling shoes 551, 552 have been shown by way of example, the length of which corresponds substantially to that of two lengths of coupons, so as to double the residence time of the coupons at these heating elements 541, 542 and cooling 551, 552.

We have described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 methods and installations for manufacturing identification cards according to which the personalization of the cards is carried out in a station 120 essentially using a printer making it possible to print before it is laminated, data from files on the front and / or back of a card. There will be described later, in particular with reference to FIG. 21, a method and an installation for manufacturing secure identification cards according to which part of the personalization data is transferred to the cards by a photographic type method and another part of the data is transferred to the cards by a printing process. It is therefore essential, in order to obtain good quality identification cards, that the printing step is carried out with care.

With reference to FIGS. 10 to 16, various systems will be described below making it possible, in particular in the case of a printing system of the thermal transfer type, to control the unwinding and winding of a strip coming from a coil.

It is known that in practice different problems arise when one unwinds a strip stored on a reel, due to variations in the diameter of the reel as the strip unwinds. This leads to variations in the tension of the tape, which generally tend to impair the proper functioning of the operation using the unwound tape, such as a printing operation.

Different braking systems have already been proposed for the spool holder, sometimes with the addition of a regulating block. This leads to the implementation of relatively complex devices which in particular ensure a measurement of the reduction in the diameter of the coil as it is used and, depending on the result of this measurement, controls a braking element acting on the core of the coil, such as a powder brake or a hysteresis brake. The measurement of the evolution of the diameter of the coil can itself be carried out using a diameter sensor either mechanical or sensitive, for example an ultrasonic sensor. To obtain sufficient reliability, high-priced equipment should be used.

In accordance with the present invention, systems are proposed for maintaining the constant or almost constant tension on the unwinding of a strip without the need to monitor the diameter of the reel to be unwound.

If we consider FIG. 11, we can see a reel 401 for storing a ribbon 407, such as a thermal transfer ribbon, around a mandrel 402.

A friction support comprising rollers 403 mounted on a support 404 and resting on a braking plate 405 acts on the coil 401 to simply avoid inadvertent and random unwinding of the coil by inertia. According to an alternative embodiment, a similar system is applied, not directly to the coil 401, but to the mandrel 402 thereof. The unwound tape 407 then passes between two cylinders 412, 413 pressurized using a system of adjusting screws 418 and spring 419 acting relative to a support frame 411, so that the pressure between the cylinders 412, 413 is necessary and sufficient to allow the rolling of these cylinders by the pulling action carried out on the strip 407 downstream of the cylinders 412, 413.

It is thus the drawn product 407 which motorizes by its outer layers the cylinders 412, 413. At least one of the cylinders 412, 413

(cylinder 412) is equipped with a torque generator 415, which is connected to the shaft of cylinder 412 by a coupling 416 and is connected to the chassis

411 by an anti-rotation support.

Thanks to the use of the pair of cylinders 412, 413 and at least one torque generator 415, the pulling torque at the cylinders 412, 413 is relatively zero and the tension of the strip on unwinding is almost zero. .

This way of unwinding eliminates variations in diameters during the unwinding of the reel, so there is no need to monitor the evolution of this diameter.

The efficiency of the constant belt tension on unwinding is given by the presence of a torque generator 415 installed on at least one of the shafts of the cylinders 412, 413. It is possible the case if necessary, install a torque generator on each of the shafts of the cylinders 412, 413, mounted by means of bearings 414 on the chassis 411. The torque generator 415 can be of the electromechanical type such as a powder coupler or a hysteresis brake. Such a type of torque generator, at a constant regulated voltage, delivers a constant output current determining a constant pulling torque. This type of torque generator can be adjusted by potentiometer on its control circuit, according to a sampling of value corresponding to its type. It is also possible to use mechanical torque generators such as speed reducers (at constant torque) or mechanical speed variators (at variable torque). Although limited in operation because of their speed which cannot greatly exceed the speed given by their reduction ratio, these mechanical type devices have the advantages over electromechanical systems of simplicity of installation and low cost.

It is also possible to combine the use of a mechanical type torque generator and an electromagnetic type torque generator, which makes it possible to take smaller devices in their range and therefore less expensive.

A torque generator can also be integrated inside the cylinder 412 or two torque generators can be integrated inside the two cylinders 412, 413. In all cases, to obtain a constant belt tension, one proceeds to the installation on the path of the product in band 407, of a pair of cylinders 412, 413 equipped with at least one torque generator 415. The coating material of the cylinders 412, 413 is determined by the nature of the product to be unrolled . The diameter of the cylinders 412, 413 is itself determined by the tensile force to be obtained for the constant tension and by the torque given by the generator 415.

Figures 12 and 13 show the implementation of a similar principle in the winding of a strip product 427 on a receiving mandrel 422 to form a coil 421, obtaining a winding at constant tension. In this case, the mandrel 422 of the coil 421 is driven from a geared motor group 425, for example by friction using a belt 424. The strip 427 to be wound passes through a pair of cylinders 432, 433 mounted in a frame 431 in a similar manner to the cylinders 412, 413 of the unwinding device of FIGS. 10 and 11. The shafts of the cylinders 432, 433 are thus mounted by means of bearings 434 in the frame 431 and adjusting screws 438 associated with springs 439 making it possible to adjust the pressure exerted by the cylinder 432 on the cylinder 433. A torque generator 435 is linked by a coupling 436 to the shaft of the cylinder 433.

Unlike the case of the unwinding device, there is no anti-rotation device, but on the contrary, the torque generator 435 is rotated, for example using a pulley 428, by the belt 434 to from the motor-reduction unit 425. The coil 421 is thus driven in rotation by a transmission coming, like that of the torque generator 425, from the same motor-reduction group 425.

The motorization criteria remain the same as for a reel unwinding. In the case of FIGS. 12 and 13, it is, however, the exceeded winding torque of the generator which makes it slip.

The type of the torque generator 435 of FIG. 12 can be chosen according to the same criteria as for the torque generator 415 of FIG. 10. A printer has been represented in FIG. 16, schematically, by way of example. comprising a printing head 440 acting on a printing ribbon comprising an upstream portion 407 unwound from a reel 401 to be introduced on a counter-roller 441 in front of the printing head 440 and a downstream portion 427 which, after being passed in front of the print head 440 is wound on a spool 421. In this embodiment, in FIG. 16, a constant tension is maintained for the strip sections 407 and 427 by virtue of a combination of the devices described above with reference to the figures 10 to 13. In FIG. 16 for the sake of simplicity, only the pair of rollers 412, 413 of the unwinding device and only the pair of rollers 432, 433 of the device have been shown. winding in their association with a driving member 425 and a transmission belt 424 cooperating with a part 423 integral with the mandrel of the coil 421, but naturally the shaft of at least one of the rollers 412, 413 and the shaft of at least one of the rollers 432, 433 is coupled to a torque generator as described above.

The device of FIG. 16 is suitable for the case where for the coils 401 and 421 there is a large difference between the diameter of the full coils and the diameter of the empty coils.

In certain cases, in particular when using coils 401 ', 421' of small diameter, that is to say for which the coils 401 ', 421' full have a diameter (for example 60 mm) which does not exceed not about triple or double the diameter of the empty coils (for example 20 mm or 30 mm), you can use a simplified winding and unwinding device (Figures 14 and 15) which helps reduce voltage variations sections 407 ′, 427 ′ of the printing ribbon situated upstream and downstream of the print head 440 ′, while using a less complex mechanism than that shown in the assembly of FIG. 16 and of FIGS. 10 to 13.

In this case, the printing ribbon passes between the print head 440 'and a counter-roller 441' in the same manner as in the device of FIG. 16, but the pairs of rollers 412, 413 and 432, 433 in Figure 16 are deleted. The torque generators 415 'and 435' associated with the unwinding and winding devices are then installed directly respectively on the mandrels 402 ', 422' of the coils 401 ', 421' mounted using bearings 414 ', 434' on the support frame 411 '.

On the side of the unwinding device, the torque generator 415 'is connected by a coupling 416' to the shaft 402 'and includes an anti-rotation member 417' cooperating with the frame 411 '.

On the side of the winding device, the torque generator 435 'is connected by a coupling 436' to the shaft 422 'and further comprises a pulley 423' allowing a motorization by means of a belt 424 'and d 'a pulley 428' driven by a motorizing member 425 'which also contributes to driving the shaft of the counter-roller 441', mounted on the support frame 411 'using bearings 434'. In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 10, 12 and 15, there are shown torque generators external to the shafts of the cylinders or coils with which they cooperate.

Alternatively, these torque generators could be incorporated inside the shafts of the cylinders or coils concerned.

We will now describe with reference to FIGS. 21 to 27 another example of an installation for manufacturing personalized coupons such as identification cards which allows in particular the implementation of several different methods of personalizing cards, such as a method of printing and a photographic reproduction process, while retaining all the advantages of a compact installation capable of quickly producing even limited series of cards, without delay and without discarding large lengths of strips of consumable material. The installation 300 of FIG. 21 is remarkable in particular in that it comprises a closed auxiliary chain with links 11 driven by motorized pinions 12 in an indexed manner and equipped with a set of auxiliary pliers 15 mounted with a constant pitch on links of the auxiliary chain 11. The auxiliary pliers 15 may have a configuration completely similar to that of the pliers 5 described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6A, 6B. However, the length L of the jaws of the pliers 15 may be different from that of the jaws of the pliers 5 mounted on the main chain 1. The length L of the jaws of the pliers 5, 15 is in fact adapted to the size of the base coupons to be grabbed by these pliers.

The main chain closed with links 1, equipped with a set of main pliers 5 mounted with a constant pitch on links of the main chain 1 is analogous to the description which was made previously with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The chain main 1 is however driven by motorized pinions 2 in an indexed manner, in synchronism with the auxiliary chain 11.

By way of example, the auxiliary chain 11, which in the installation described is intended to transport a basic coupon N constituted by a photosensitive element such as a negative film or paper element, consists of a roller chain equipped with 20 pliers 15 mounted at regular intervals of 127 mm corresponding to a constant pitch of 10 links of a chain with a pitch of 12.7 mm.

The main chain 1, which in the installation described is intended to ensure the transport of positive basic coupons P of paper or plastic material to which personalized information must be transferred, in particular from negative basic coupons N, can be constituted by a roller chain fitted with 60 clamps 5 mounted at regular intervals of 127 mm corresponding to a constant pitch of 10 links in a chain with a pitch of 12.7 mm. It is naturally possible to modify these values according to the envisaged applications, and in particular according to the dimension of the basic coupons and the number of workstations, as long as one keeps advances indexed and synchronized by constant step with stops temporary for processing coupons at different workstations. Note that in the case of card manufacturing having a format of the order of 10 cm x 10 cm, an installation using two chains 1, 11 and the set of workstations which will be described with reference to the figure 21, may include a general motorization means constituted by a geared motor - indexer group with a relatively reduced power, for example of 0.18 kW. The operating cost of a machine such as the installation 300 with a single electrical energy can be reduced and correspond to an electrical energy consumption not exceeding 2 to 3 kWh.

The rate of production of cards can be for example of the order of 1200 cards / hour with a compact installation 300 in which all the members of the different work stations can be mounted on the same chassis 101 constituted for example essentially by a vertical plate d '' a thickness of the order of 15 mm and whose length and height can be of the order of 1800 mm. The chassis 101 is thus compact and can be mounted if necessary on a mobile frame which makes it possible to easily move the machine 300.

As will be seen below, even the implementation of several closed card transport circuits and the implementation of a photographic card personalization process lead to a manufacturing installation 300, the manufacturing cost of which is moderate ( due to the moderate cost of the components and their ease integration), whose size is limited and whose production cost per card is reduced even if the installation is suitable for the production of several successive small series of cards of different types. In particular, due to a manufacturing process acting on strip sections, a change in production can easily take place without it being necessary for the reels of strips of consumable materials (negative film of negative coupons N, paper or material plastic of positive coupons P, plastic films for plasticization, thermal printing ribbons, etc.) have been used entirely, which leads to an absence of wastage of these strips of consumable material.

In the example of FIG. 21, the auxiliary chain equipped with clamps 15 moves in front of a station 310 for supplying a photosensitive negative coupon N, which may have a structure similar to that of the supply station 110 already described with reference to Figure 1 and allows the entry of an individual negative coupon N by pliers 15. The auxiliary chain 11 then passes in front of a station 320 for taking photographs to transfer personalized data, in particular graphic data such as a photograph of 'identity, on the photosensitive negative coupon N from information available in a database. After sensitization of a negative coupon N at the shooting station 320, this negative coupon N, still transported by a clamp 15 secured to a link of the auxiliary chain 11, is brought to a development station 330 where the negative coupon N is developed by soaking in an activator or developer bath. It will be noted that the length of the development station 330 is adapted to the time necessary for the revealing of the negative coupon N. Thus this development station 330 can extend if necessary over several steps in advance of the auxiliary chain 11 to maintain the coupon negative N in contact with the activator bath for several successive steps of advance of the clamps 15.

The auxiliary chain 11 then arrives at a station 342 for superimposing under pressure the negative coupon N with a positive basic coupon P supplied from a station 110 for supplying a positive basic coupon P where the positive basic coupons are entered by pliers 5 mounted on the main chain 1. The main chain 1 moves itself successively past the station 110 for supplying a positive base coupon P (which can be produced in accordance with the description previously made with reference to FIG. 3 but could also include a charger for basic coupons pre-cut), the station 342 for superimposing under pressure a negative coupon N with a positive basic coupon P (which will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 22 to 24), a station 343 for automatic opening of the clamp 15 carrying a negative coupon N in order to release this negative coupon N superimposed on a positive coupon P and a transfer-development zone 350 in which the negative coupon N is held in position by capillary adhesion on the positive coupon P itself transported by a clamp 5 of the main chain 1, so that a photographic image transfer is carried out from the negative coupon N to the positive coupon P. The chain ne 1 then arrives at a post 360 for removing the negative coupon N by mechanized detachment of this negative coupon N relative to the positive coupon P and evacuation of the negative coupon N in a base 361. The main chain 1 then passes in front of a station 370 for washing the positive coupon P by soaking in a water bath, a first station 371 for wringing through a pair of motorized cylinders, a station 372 for stabilization by soaking in a stabilizing bath, a second station 373 for spinning through a pair of motorized cylinders and a drying station 380 for example through a heated and ventilated tunnel. The positive coupon P personalized by the presence of a photographic image, which may fill only a limited area of the positive coupon P, provided for example for an identity photograph, or which may include all of the alphanumeric and graphic information necessary for personalization, can then be treated in a manner analogous to that which has been described above with reference to FIG. 2. By way of example, FIG. 21 shows a printing station 120 comprising a first device 121 for printing on the front of a coupon P and a second device 122 for printing on the back of a coupon P, a station 230 for forming a plastic case from reserves 231, 232 upper and lower strips of plastic material, a plasticizing station 240, a card cutting station 170, a mat 180 for receiving finished cards which can be associated with a stacker, and a tray 290 for receiving the skeleton formed by the remains of the coupon P after cutting at the cutting station 170, the opening of the clamp 5 now holding this skeleton can be done automatically in front of the tray 290 to release this skeleton. This automatic clamp opening means can be carried out simply by the generator of a rotating cylinder which raises the lower plate 56 of the clamp, for example at the level of a return sprocket of the chain 1 towards the first station of work 110.

There is shown more specifically in FIG. 21 such an example of a rotating cylinder generator 343 acting on a part 15 of the secondary chain 11 at a pinion of this chain towards a pinion 13 for guiding the chain return towards the work station 310. The peripheral part of the rotating cylinder 343 synchronized with the advance of the chain 1 acts on a clamp 15 to open the clamp after the step of superimposing the negative coupon N with the positive coupon P for allow the drive, by a single clamp 5 of the main chain 1, of the positive coupon P to which is superimposed, while projecting slightly laterally, the negative coupon N.

In FIG. 21, the reference 341 designates a roller for coating the front of the positive coupon P with activating product taken, for example, from the tank used for wetting the negative coupon N in the development station 330. The wetting device 341 is located just upstream of the station 342 at which the chains 1 and 11 become adjacent to allow the superimposition of a positive coupon P and a negative coupon N.

FIG. 29 illustrates the layering of a negative coupon N with a positive receiving coupon P, then the release of the negative coupon N by the clamp 15, the negative coupon N remaining superimposed on the positive coupon P and only the part previously held by the clamp 15 projecting laterally. FIG. 29 then shows the separation of the negative N after transfer of the photographic image to the positive coupon Pi, then the combination of a plastic portfolio P ₂ and a personalized positive coupon Pi for a plasticization operation before cutting a P ₃ card and disposal of the residual P ₄ skeleton. It will be noted that the cost of the films constituting the negative coupons N is generally greater than the cost of the materials constituting the positive coupons P. It is thus possible to use negative coupons N of small size corresponding to the dimensions necessary for the reproduction of a graphic image such as an identity photograph, and not to reproduce by photographic transfer on a positive coupon that this identity photograph occupying only a fraction of the surface of the positive coupon P, and to complete the personalization of the positive coupon P on the parts not occupied by the photography exclusively by a printing means in a post such as the station 120 which may be constituted for example by a printer of the thermal or ink jet type.

FIGS. 22 to 24 illustrate an example of a station 342 for superimposing under pressure a negative coupon N maintained by a clamp 15 of the auxiliary chain 11 and a positive coupon P maintained by a clamp 5 of the main chain 1 equipped with 'a motorized pinion 42. This stacking station essentially comprises two pressing-transfer cylinders 41, 45 superimposed mounted on shafts 41 A, 45A respectively.

The shaft 45A is mounted on a bearing box 47 which is put under pressure, against the support 46 of the shaft 41A secured to the frame 101 of the machine, by a tension spring 69. The cylinder 41, secured to the pinion 42 forming a motorization socket and a motorization gear 43, is rotated around the fixed shaft 41 A on which the cylinder 41 and the gear 43 are mounted by means of bearings 68. The cylinder 45 is itself even driven in rotation by its shaft 45A secured to a motorized gear 44 engaged with the gear 43.

The pressure exerted between the two cylinders 41, 45 via the spring 69 is relatively substantial and can cause a slightly offset positioning of the negative coupon N on the positive coupon P. To remedy this, a slight opening is caused between the cylinders pressing 41 and 45, of the order of the thickness of the negative coupon N, at the time of the introduction of a negative coupon N. This opening is achieved for example by the use of cams 48, 49 mounted on the motorization gears 43, 44 and of which at least one has a spacer boss 64 (FIG. 23). A light 63 is formed on the cam 48 to ensure adjustment of the angular position. The cycle ratio of the motorized gears 43, 44 makes it possible to calibrate the synchronism of the opening of the rollers 41, 45 with the arrival of a negative coupon N.

It will be noted that a similar device can be used at the level of a printer, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, to allow a basic coupon to be introduced under the print head 440,

440 'which applies by pressure a thermal printing ribbon on a basic coupon moving on a counter-roller 441, 441'.

After a negative coupon N and a positive coupon P are superimposed at the work station 342, and after opening of the clamp 15 transporting the negative coupon N, by the action of the rotary cam 343, the negative coupon N transported by the positive coupon P causes in the area 350 the phenomenon of development by transfer of the photographic image of the negative coupon N to the positive coupon P by the process known as DTR (Diffusion Transfer Reversai). According to the law of development by transfer, the surfaces of the negative and the positive should be kept in contact along a straight path having a minimum length. Thanks to the grip using a clamp 5 of the format consisting of a positive coupon P supporting a negative coupon N, it is possible to carry out a lacing path of the main chain 1 with several sections of rectilinear chain superposed ( Figure 21) and thereby reduce the continuous straight distance which would be necessary, for example when superimposing a continuous negative film with a continuous strip of positive material.

At the end of the development by transfer, the mechanical detachment of the negative coupon N at station 360 can be carried out for example in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 25 to 27, using a set of three small motorized belts 93A, 94A with circular section acting on the edge of the negative coupon N previously clamped in a clamp 15 of the auxiliary chain 11 and projecting slightly with respect to the positive coupon P on the side opposite to the clamp 5 for holding the positive coupon P.

FIG. 25 shows the path 99 of the links of the main chain 1 carrying pliers (symbolized by a vertical line), spaced apart by a pitch E, of support for positive coupons P. A pinion 91 for driving the chain 1 serving motorization plug for a pulley 92 is mounted using bearings 90A on a shaft 90 secured to the frame 101 of the machine. Pulley 92 has two adjacent grooves having a diameter corresponding to the original diameter of the clamps 5 driven around the pinion 91. The shaft 90 carries on the side opposite to the frame 101, a plate 98 on which are fixed (by means of bearings 98A), a small pulley 93 with two grooves and two small pulleys upstream 95 and downstream 94 at a groove. A pair of gears 96, 97, coaxial with the small pulleys 93, 94 makes it possible to motorize the small pulley 94 from the movement of the small pulley 93 itself driven by the main pulley 92 of large diameter. The different pulleys 92, 93, 94, 95 have grooves allowing the reception of belts 93A, 94A having a circular section whose diameter can be for example of the order of 3 mm. As can be seen in FIG. 27, the edge of the negative coupon N is effectively pinched without slipping between the two upper round belts 93A engaged on the pulleys 92 and 93 and the lower round belt 94A engaged on the pulleys 94 and 95. The negative coupon is then automatically evacuated by pinching between the three belts 93A, 94A while the positive coupon P which is set back with respect to the pulleys 92, 93, 94, 95, continues its journey with the clamp 5 along the chain 1 .

In the identification card manufacturing installations according to the invention, the grippers 5, 15 for gripping the coupons or formats C, P, N involved in the card manufacturing process, can be provided with a code, such as '' a bar code, which allows, by reading the code of each clamp at the various workstations, to locate at any time in the machine the card during manufacture. In particular, reading the code of pliers 5, 15 at a personalization station 120, 320, makes it possible to control during production the applications of personalized identification data and makes it possible to avoid any error even when various personalization data (for example transfer of identity photograph, printing of the front of a card, printing of the back of a card) are entered on a card at different workstations 320, 121, 122 from file of different data.

Claims

1. Installation for manufacturing personalized coupons such as identification cards comprising a set of work stations with at least one station (110) for supplying basic coupons (C, P), a station (120) for personalization basic coupons (C, P) and a station (130, 170) for cutting personalized basic coupons (C, P), and a system for transporting basic coupons (C, P) between the different work stations (110, 120, 130, 170), characterized in that the basic coupon transport system (C, P) comprises a carousel comprising at least one chain (1) with links driven by pinions (2) motorized so indexed, and a set of pliers (5) mounted with a constant pitch on chain links (1) and cooperating with opening / closing means (37) placed at a fixed post, to each individually enter a basic coupon (C, P), transport this basic coupon (C, P) between work stations and unload this basic coupon (C, P) in a station (180) for collecting finished or semi-finished product as a personalized identification card, each clamp (5) comprising a pair of jaws (54, 55) for enclosing a marginal zone of a basic coupon (C, P) at least in two regions thereof which are distant from each other in the direction of movement of the chain (1), and of the external stops ( 52) integral with one or the other of the jaws (54, 55) for laterally positioning the gripped base coupon (C, P) between said jaws (54, 55).

2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that each clamp (5) has lateral fasteners (51) on the link chain (1) arranged below the entry plane of the base coupon (C, P) by the jaws (54,55).

3. Installation according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that each clamp (5) comprises a central spring (59) disposed between on the one hand a lower plate (56) made integral with the upper jaw (55), and on the other hand the underside of the lower jaw (54).

4. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each clamp (5) comprises vertical external stops (52) directed upwards and integral with the lower jaw (54).

5. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the width (I) of grip of the jaws (54, 55) of each clamp (5) is between 3 and 5 mm.

6. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the clamp opening / closing means comprises a mechanical plunger (37) integral with a rod-crank type mechanism (38).

7. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 5; characterized in that the gripper opening / closing means comprises a rotating cylinder generator (343).

8. installation according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the station (110) for supplying the basic coupon (C, P) comprises a transfer-cutting station for transferring at the level of a clamp (5) a section of a strip (B) arranged transversely relative to the chain (1) and comprising a succession of sections constituting basic coupons (C, P).

9. Installation according to claim 8, characterized in that the supply station (110) comprises support means (32) of a reel (30) for storing said strip (B), a pair of superimposed cylinders ( 33) between which the strip (B) from the reel (30) is pinched and which constitute a motorized pulling bridge, a motorized cutter (34) disposed between the motorized pulling bridge (33) and the path of the clamps (5 ) and an optical cell (35) for controlling the arrival opposite the pliers (5) of the basic coupons (C, P) to be cut by the cutter from the sections of the strip (B) and intended to be gripped by the clamps (5) actuated by means (36, 37) for opening / closing the clamp arranged in the vicinity of the supply station (110) and synchronized with the indexed feed of the link chain (1).

10. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises coding marks on each of the clamps (5) and in that it comprises at least one station (120) for personalizing the coupons base (C, P) constituted by an individualized printing station of at least one face of the basic coupons (C, P) transported by said clamps (5).

11. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a preplasticization station (230) with rollers (60, 70) upper and lower for feeding plastic strips (Pn, Pi ₂ ) perpendicular to the direction of travel of the link chain (1) to form a portfolio (P ₂ ) enveloping an insert (87) consisting of a pre-cut personalized base coupon (Pi) held by a clamp (5), and a plasticizing station (240) acting on the assembly constituted by said portfolio (P2) and its insert held by a clamp (5).

12. Installation according to claim 11, characterized in that the post (230) pre-plasticization comprises a device for supplying two strips of plastic material (Pu, Pι ₂ ) with passage of a single first longitudinal edge of each strips (Pu, Pι ₂ ) through a heating shoe (65) before driving the two strips (Pu, Pι ₂ ) through a pair of motorized rollers (66) which seal the two strips (Pu, Pι ₂ ) on their first longitudinal edges to form a backing film kept open by a shoe tree (81) before receiving said insert (87) and constituting a portfolio (P ₂ ) after cutting by a device (82, 85) for transverse cutting film wrapped to form a sandwich driven by the central insert (87) held by a clamp (5) towards a plasticizing station (240).

13. Installation according to claim 11 or claim 12, characterized in that the plastic strips (Pu, Pι ₂ ) each consist of a film of a base material such as polyester provided with a coating layer compatible with the insert and promoting heat-sealing, such as polyethylene and in that the upper (Pu) and lower (P12) plastic strips have their coating layers facing l one of the other.

14. Installation according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a plasticizing station comprising first and second metal strips (528) perforated and welded endlessly motorized by a set of four cylinders (522, 523), of which two non-opposing cylinders (522) are laterally fitted with sprockets, the first and second metal strips (528) having a portion of parallel path in which they enclose at least one assembly constituted by said portfolio (P ₂ ) and its insert held by a clamp (5), this portion of parallel path successively comprising heating shoes (541, 542), a pair of rolling rolls (524, 525) and cooling means (551, 552).

15. Installation according to claim 14, characterized in that the motorization of the drive members of the plasticizing station (240) is synchronized with the indexed motorization of the main chain (1) for transporting the clamps (5; 515) of such so that the perforated metal bands (528) and the link chain (1) advance by the same amount simultaneously.

16. Installation according to claim 15, characterized in that the first and second perforated endless metal strips (528) have means (529) for closing the strip, the thickness of which is less than that of the assembly constituted by a portfolio (P ₂ ) and its insert, and which are arranged offset on the first and second metal strips (528) so as to be located in free spaces between two successive sets comprising a portfolio (P ₂ ) and its insert.

17. Installation according to claim 15 or claim 16, characterized in that the pitch of perforation of the metal strips (528) is identical to the pitch of the chain (1) with links equipped with clamps (515).

18. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it comprises a closed auxiliary chain with links (11) driven by pinions (12) motorized in an indexed manner and equipped with a set of auxiliary pliers (15) mounted with a constant pitch on links of the auxiliary chain (11) and a closed main chain with links (1) driven by pinions (2) motorized in indexed fashion, in synchronism with the auxiliary chain (11) and equipped with a set of main pliers (5) mounted with a constant pitch on links of the main chain (1).

19. Installation according to claim 18, characterized in that the auxiliary chain (11) moves successively in front of a station (310) for supplying a photosensitive negative coupon (N), a station (320) for taking photographs to transfer personalized data on the photosensitive negative coupon (N), a station (330) for developing the negative coupon (N) by soaking in an activator bath, and a station (342) for superimposing under pressure the negative coupon (N) with a positive basic coupon (P) supplied from a station (110) supplying a positive basic coupon (P), and in that means (37; 343) for opening / closing the clamp arranged at least at the level of the station (310) for supplying a negative coupon (N) and at the level of the station (342) for superimposing the negative coupon (N) with a positive base coupon (P).

20. installation according to claim 19, characterized in that the main chain (1) moves successively in front of at least one station (110) for supplying a positive base coupon (P), a station (341) for pre-wetting, a post (342) for superimposing under pressure a negative coupon (N) with a positive basic coupon (P), a transfer-development zone (350) in which the negative coupon (N) is superimposed on the positive basic coupon (P) to allow an image transfer from the negative coupon (N) to the positive base coupon (P), a station (360) for removing the negative coupon (N) by mechanically peeling it from the basic positive coupon (P), a station (370) for washing the positive coupon (P) by soaking in a water bath, a first station (371) for wringing, a station (372) for stabilization by soaking in a stabilizing bath, a second station (373) for wringing and a station (380) for drying.

21. Installation according to claim 19 or claim 20, characterized in that the station (342) for superposition under pressure of a negative coupon (N) and a positive base coupon (8) comprises a pair of gears motorization (43, 44) equipped with spacing cams (48, 49) and integral with the transmission shafts of a pair of pressing-transfer cylinders (41, 45) between which are inserted in superposition a negative coupon (N ) and a positive basic coupon (P) held respectively by clamps (15, 5) driven by the auxiliary chain (11) and the main chain (1), at least one (48) of said spacing cams being provided with an angular position light (63) and a spacer boss (64).

22. Installation according to any one of claims 19 to

21, characterized in that the station (360) for removing the negative coupon (N) by mechanized detachment comprises a set of three motorized round belts (93A, 94A) acting on an edge of the negative coupon (N) previously clamped in a clamp (15) of the auxiliary chain and projecting slightly relative to the positive coupon (P) on the side opposite to the clamp (5) holding the positive coupon (P).

23. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to

22, characterized in that it comprises a station (120) for printing personalized data on a basic coupon from a thermal transfer ribbon supplied transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the link chain (1) for transporting the base coupon, and removed after printing a base coupon, also transversely to the direction of movement of the link chain (1) for transporting the base coupon.

24. Installation according to claim 23, characterized in that the station (120) for printing personalized data comprises a device for unwinding at constant tension the transfer ribbon. thermal, put in the form of a coil (401), which unwinding device itself comprises a friction support (403 to 406) acting on the coil (401) or its mandrel (402), first and second cylinders (412, 413) pressurized between which is introduced the unwound thermal transfer ribbon, at least one torque generator (415) coupled with one of the shafts of the first and second cylinders (412, 413) and connected to a chassis (411) of the unwinding device by an anti-rotation member (417).

25. Installation according to claim 23 or claim 24, characterized in that the station (120) for printing personalized data comprises a winding device at constant tension, which device comprises first and second cylinders (432, 433) superimposed ensuring a drawing of the thermal transfer ribbon after passing in front of a print head (440), at least one torque generator (435) associated with the drive shaft of at least one of the first and second cylinders (432, 433) and a geared motor unit (425) for rotating both the torque generator (435) and a mandrel (422) for receiving the ribbon to be wound in the form of a reel (421) around said mandrel (422) after drawing by passage between said first and second cylinders (432, 433).

26. Installation according to claim 23, characterized in that the station (120) for printing personalized data comprises a spool (401 ') for storing a thermal transfer ribbon (407') and a spool (421 ') for receiving thermal transfer ribbon (427 ') whose diameters in the full state are not more than about three times the diameter in the empty state, the storage (401') and receiving (421 ') coils being located on either side of a print head (440 '), in that a torque generator (415') is directly coupled to the storage reel support mandrel (401 ') and is connected to the support frame of said mandrel by an anti-rotation member (417 '), and in that a torque generator (435') associated with a motorisation member (425 ') is directly coupled to the support mandrel of the receiving coil (421 ').

27. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the basic coupons (C, P) are made of paper or plastic.

28. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to

26, characterized in that the basic coupons (C, P) are formed in the form of platelets.

29. Process for the production of personalized coupons on the chain, such as identification cards, comprising at least one step of supplying basic coupons (C, P) at a first work station (110), a step of personalization basic coupons (C, P) at a second work station (120) and a step of cutting the personalized basic coupons (C, P) at a third work station (130, 170), the basic coupons being transported successively from one workstation to another, characterized in that the transport of the basic coupons (C, P) from one workstation to another, is carried out individually using pliers (5 ) mounted with a constant pitch on the links of a link chain (1) indexed driven in a closed circuit and in that each basic coupon (C, P) transported and pinched is grasped along one of its marginal areas, at least in two regions thereof, which are distant from each other in the se ns movement of the chain, while cooperating with the same clamp (5).

30. Method according to claim 29, characterized in that the step of supplying basic coupons (C, P) comprises the transfer and the cutting, at the level of a clamp (5) brought to a supply station. (110), a strip section (B) disposed transversely with respect to the link chain (1) and comprising a succession of sections constituting basic coupons (C, P).

31. Method according to claim 29 or claim 30, characterized in that the step of personalizing a basic coupon (C,

P) comprises the supply opposite a print head (440; 440 ') of a thermal transfer ribbon (407; 407') unwound at constant tension from a storage reel (401; 401 '), data transfer personalized, by printing using the print head (440; 440 '), on a basic coupon (C, P) superimposed on the thermal transfer ribbon, and the evacuation of the thermal transfer ribbon (427; 427 ') by pulling it at constant voltage before winding on a receiving coil (421, 421').

32. Method according to any one of claims 29 to 31, characterized in that it comprises a step of plasticizing a base coupon (C, P) and in that, prior to the step of plasticizing, each coupon base (C, P) held in place by a clamp (5) is inserted into a portfolio made up of a backing film format produced from two sections of plastic strips (Pu, P12) brought perpendicular to the direction of travel of the link chain (1) and sealed together on only one of their longitudinal edges, located at the front of the corresponding basic coupon (C, P) in the direction of transport of this coupon.

33. Method according to any one of claims 29 to 32, characterized in that it comprises a step of forming and transporting negative coupons (N) each seized in an area marginalized at least in two regions thereof which are distant from each other, in the direction of movement of an auxiliary chain (11) in a closed circuit, using a clamp (15) transported by the auxiliary chain (11) with indexed advance, a step of forming and transporting positive basic coupons (P) each seized in a marginal zone at least in two regions thereof which are distant from each other in the direction of movement of a main chain (1) in a closed circuit, using a clamp (5) transported by the main chain (1) with indexed advance, a step of superimposing and pressing a negative coupon (N) and a positive basic coupon (P), a step of transporting a positive coupon (P) and a negative coupon (N) superpo using the single clamp (5) transported by the main chain (1), a step of removing the negative coupon (N) by mechanized detachment and a step of transporting and processing the only positive coupon (P) to using the pliers (5) transported by the main chain (1).