JP2003237261A - Card - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a card, which is hard to deform during its portage and, at the same time, develops a few printing ununiformity at printing. <P>SOLUTION: In the card, a first board 5, a second board 6 provided on the rear surface of the first board 5 and a heat sensitive printing layer 3 provided on the front surface of the first board 5 and heated with a thermal head are provided under the condition that the thermal expansion coefficient of the first board 5 is set to be larger than that of the second board 6. The second board 6 is fixed to the first board 5 over its whole rear surface, while the heat sensitive printing layer 3 is arranged partially on the surface of the first board 5. In addition, under the condition being heated to the predetermined temperature with the thermal head, the heat sensitive printing layer 3 develops color in the predetermined printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of card is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
No. 000-62364. According to FIG. 1 of this publication, a thermal printing layer is formed on the surface of a substrate via a peeling protection layer.

As shown in FIG. 5, the substrate 101 constituting the card 100 has a thickness of several hundreds μm in order to prevent deformation. However, if the user puts the card 100 in a wallet, for example, the card 100 will be warped (see FIG. 5).

[0004]

When the user inserts the card 100 into a card reader (not shown), the card 100 is warped, so that the thermal head 102 provided in the card reader, A gap 104 is formed between the card 100 and the thermal printing layer 103. Therefore, the thermal printing layer 103 located below the gap 104.
There is a first defect that the printing becomes defective and uneven printing occurs.

In order to solve this drawback, the present inventor tried to make the substrate 101 thinner and press the thermal head 102 to eliminate unevenness in printing. However, there is a second drawback that the card 100 is deformed if the user puts it in the wallet while carrying it, because the substrate 101 is thin. Therefore, in consideration of such conventional defects, the present invention provides a card which is not easily deformed when carried and has little printing unevenness during printing.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention of claim 1, a first substrate, a second substrate provided on the back surface of the first substrate, and a first substrate are provided. A thermal printing layer provided on the surface and heated by a thermal head is provided, and the thermal expansion coefficient of the first substrate is set to be larger than that of the second substrate.

In the present invention of claim 2, the second substrate is
Fixed on the entire back surface of the first substrate, the thermal printing layer was partially disposed on the front surface of the first substrate.

In the present invention of claim 3, the thermal printing layer contains a leuco dye.

In the present invention of claim 4, when the thermal printing layer is heated to a predetermined temperature by the thermal head, a predetermined print color is produced.

According to the present invention of claim 5, a magnetic recording layer is formed on the back surface of the second substrate.

According to the present invention of claim 6, when the thermal printing layer is heated by the thermal head for printing, the first substrate and the second substrate warp convexly on the front surface side.

According to the present invention of claim 7, the central portion of the thermal printing layer and the central portion of the warp of the first substrate and the second substrate are provided so as to substantially coincide with each other.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the following, referring to FIGS.
The card 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1
1A is a plan view of the card 1, FIG. 1B is a side view of the card 1, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line A1A2 of FIG. 1A (showing a state before the thermal head abuts). Figure 1
FIG. 3A is a sectional view taken along line A1A2 of FIG.

In these figures, the card 1 comprises, for example, a substrate 2, a thermal printing layer 3, a magnetic recording layer 4 and the like. The substrate 2 includes a first substrate 5, a second substrate 6 and the like.

The first substrate 5 is made of, for example, PVC (polyvinyl chloride resin) or the like. The first substrate 5 has, for example, 5 sides.
The length is 7.5 mm, the length is 85 mm, and the thickness is 380 μm.
The thermal expansion coefficient of the first substrate 5 is, for example, 10 × 10 ⁻⁵ / ° C.

The second substrate 6 is made of PVC, for example.
The second substrate 6 has, for example, a width of 57.5 mm and a length of 8
The size is 5 mm and the thickness is 380 μm, which is the same size as the first substrate 5.

The thermal expansion coefficient of the second substrate 6 is, for example, 5 × 1.
Is 0 ^-5 / ° C.. In this way, the thermal expansion coefficient of the first substrate 5 is set to be larger than the thermal expansion coefficient of the second substrate 6. Even the same resin manufacturer manufactures and ships polyvinyl chloride resins having different model numbers (for example, model number C and model number D). And PVC of model number C
By specifying, the coefficient of thermal expansion is high (for example, 10 ×
(10 ⁻⁵ / ° C.) PVC is available. Further, by designating the PVC of model number D, it is possible to obtain a PVC having a low coefficient of thermal expansion (for example, 5 × 10 ⁻⁵ / ° C.).

The second substrate 6 is provided on the back surface of the first substrate 5. Specifically, the second substrate 6 is fixed over the entire back surface of the first substrate 5 with, for example, an adhesive material (not shown).

The thermal printing layer 3 is composed of, for example, a combination of a leuco dye, a developer and a decolorizer. Thus, the thermal printing layer 3 contains a leuco dye.

The thermal printing layer 3 is formed on the surface of the first substrate 5,
It is fixed via an adhesive (not shown) or the like. Further, if necessary, a protective layer may be provided on the surface of the thermal printing layer 3.

The thermal printing layer 3 is, for example, 40 mm wide,
The length is 10 mm and the thickness is about 10 μm. Thus, the thermal printing layer 3 is partially arranged on the surface of the first substrate 5.

When the thermal head 7 contacts the surface of the thermal printing layer 3 or the thermal head 7 contacts the surface of a protective layer (not shown) on the thermal printing layer 3 (see FIG. 3), the thermal A plurality of heating portions (not shown) provided on the head 7 are appropriately energized.

As a result, in the thermal printing layer 3, a predetermined portion is heated to a predetermined temperature by the thermal head 7 to develop a predetermined print color.

When the thermal head 7 is separated from the thermal printing layer 3, the color-developed portion is cooled, the color-developed portion is fixed, and printing is performed. Thus, the thermal printing layer 3 is heated and printed by the thermal head 7.

The head support 8 for supporting the thermal head 7 is constructed so as to be movable in the vertical direction (that is, the B1-B2 direction).

The support 9 is made of, for example, a rubber cylinder and supports the card 1.

The magnetic recording layer 4 is made of, for example, oxide ferrite, cobalt oxide ferrite, barium ferrite, or the like. The magnetic recording layer 4 is formed on the back surface of the second substrate 6.

The magnetic recording layer 4 has, for example, a width of 40 mm, a length of 10 mm, and a thickness of about 15 μm, and is partially formed on the back surface of the second substrate 6.

The card 1 is composed of the parts 3, 4, 5, 6 and the like. When the thermal head 7 is not in contact with the thermal printing layer 3 of the card 1 (for example, when the user carries the card 1 or in the state of FIG. 2), the card 1
Is flat without warpage.

Next, the card reading device 10 for reading the card 1 will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of FIG.

In FIG. 4, the inserted body 11 has an insertion opening 12 into which the card 1 is inserted. A moving path 13 for moving the card 1 is provided so as to be continuous with the insertion slot 12.

A carry-in roller 14 and a roller 15 are provided in the front moving passage 13. The card 1 is configured to be sandwiched between the carry-in roller 14 and the roller 15 and move backward.

Another support 16 and a magnetic head 17 are provided so as to be located behind the carry-in roller 14 and the roller 15 in the moving passage 13. The magnetic head 17 applies (writes) a specific magnetism containing data to the magnetic recording layer 4 provided on the card 1, and reads the data from the magnetism written in the magnetic recording layer 4.

A thermal head 7, a head support, and a support 9 are provided behind the other support 16 and the magnetic head 17 in the moving passage 13. Thermal head 7
The head support 8 to which is attached is configured to be movable in the vertical direction (B1-B2 direction).

In the moving passage 13, a carry-out roller 18 and a roller 19 are provided so as to be located behind the thermal head 7 and the support 9. The parts 14, 15, 16,
A casing 20 is provided so as to cover 17 and 7, 8, 9, 18, and 19. The card reading device 10 is configured by the above components.

Next, the operation of the card 1 and the card reader 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the user takes out the card 1 in his or her wallet, and inserts the card 1 into the insertion slot 12 provided in the card reading device 10.

The card 1 includes a carry-in roller 14 and a roller 15.
The card 1 moves forward above the magnetic head 17 as it is sandwiched between.

Next, the magnetic head 17 writes and reads data on the magnetic recording layer 4 provided on the back surface of the card 1 using magnetism.

After that, the head support 8 moves downward (B2 direction), and the thermal head 7 approaches the thermal printing layer 3 provided on the card 1 (see FIG. 2). At this time, the card 1 placed on the support 9 has a substantially flat shape.

Next, the head support 8 is downward (B2 direction).
Further, the thermal head 7 comes into contact with the thermal printing layer 3 provided on the card 1 (see FIG. 3) or the surface of a protective layer (not shown) on the thermal printing layer 3.

At this time, the thermal printing layer 3 has the thermal head 7
As a result, the specified part has a specified temperature (for example, about 130 ℃)
When it is heated to the predetermined color, the predetermined print color is developed.

At the same time, the first substrate 5 and the second substrate 6
Is heated by the thermal head 7 via the thermal printing layer 3. At this time, the thermal expansion coefficient of the upper first substrate 5 is larger than the thermal expansion coefficient of the lower second substrate 6, so that the first substrate 5 and the second substrate 6 are convexly warped to the surface side. (See Figure 3).

With the above configuration, when printing, as in the conventional case,
A gap 104 between the thermal head 102 and the substrate 101
Is eliminated, and the thermal head 7 and the thermal printing layer 3 are uniformly adhered (see FIG. 3). As a result, the print unevenness that has conventionally occurred is eliminated.

The above contents are summarized below. Thermal printing layer 3
When the image is heated and printed by the thermal head 7, the first
The substrate 5 and the second substrate 6 warp convexly on the front surface side.

At this time, the central portion 2 of the thermal printing layer 3
1 and the central portions 22 of the first substrate 5 and the second substrate 6 are provided so as to substantially coincide with each other.

Next, the head support 8 is located upward (B1 direction).
The thermal head 7 moves away from the thermal printing layer 3 (see FIG. 2). At this time, the thermal printing layer 3 is cooled, and the above-mentioned color-developed portion in the thermal printing layer 3 is fixed and a predetermined print is printed. For example, on the thermal printing layer 3, the residual number of the card 1 is printed.

In this way, when the thermal head 7 is separated from the thermal printing layer 3, the first substrate 5 and the second substrate 6 are also cooled and returned to their original flat state (see FIG. 2).

Next, the leading end of the card 1 is attached to the carry-out roller 18
It is sandwiched between the rollers 19 and moves forward, discharged to the outside of the card reading device 10 and received by the user.

At this time, the card 1 has predetermined data written therein, is read, and has predetermined printing (for example, the remaining count).
Is printed. It should be noted that the thermal printing layer 3 is heated by the thermal head 7 at a relatively low temperature (eg, about 100 ° C.).
The above print can be erased by heating.

[0051]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first substrate, the second substrate provided on the back surface of the first substrate, and the heat sensitive provided on the front surface of the first substrate and heated by the thermal head. A printed layer is provided, and the thermal expansion coefficient of the first substrate is set to be larger than the thermal expansion coefficient of the second substrate.
Thus, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the first substrate on which the thermal printing layer is formed is made larger than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second substrate provided on the back surface. As a result, when the thermal printing layer comes into contact with the thermal head, the first substrate and the second substrate warp convexly on the front surface side, so that the thermal head can uniformly adhere to the thermal printing layer. Print unevenness can be eliminated.

In the present invention of claim 2, the second substrate is
Fixed on the entire back surface of the first substrate, the thermal printing layer was partially disposed on the front surface of the first substrate. With the above configuration, since the second substrate is fixed to the entire back surface of the first substrate, the strength of the substrate formed by the first substrate and the second substrate is increased. As a result, even if the user carries this card in his / her wallet, it can be prevented from being deformed.

In the present invention of claim 3, the thermal printing layer contains a leuco dye. Thus, by using the leuco dye, printing can be performed by heating at a relatively high temperature, and the above printing can be erased by heating at a relatively low temperature. In this way, it becomes easy to control (only temperature control is required) for printing and erasing thereof.

In the present invention of claim 4, when the thermal printing layer is heated to a predetermined temperature by the thermal head, a predetermined print color is produced. With the above configuration, the printing operation can be performed with a relatively simple configuration.

According to the present invention of claim 5, a magnetic recording layer is formed on the back surface of the second substrate. As described above, since the thermal printing layer is provided on the surface of the first substrate, the thermal head is heated on the thermal printing layer, and the thermal head is separated and cooled.
Irregularities are likely to occur on the surface of the first substrate. In contrast, the second
Since the above-mentioned unevenness is unlikely to occur on the back surface of the substrate, when writing and reading data by magnetism, it is less likely to be affected by noise due to the unevenness.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the thermal printing layer is heated by the thermal head for printing, the first substrate and the second substrate warp convexly on the front surface side. Like the above configuration, at the time of printing, the first substrate and the second substrate are
Since it is convexly warped to the surface side, there is no gap between the thermal printing layer and the thermal head as in the conventional case. As a result, at the time of printing, the thermal printing layer and the thermal head are in close contact with each other uniformly, so that uneven printing can be eliminated.

In the present invention of claim 7, the central portion of the thermal printing layer and the central portion of the warp of the first substrate and the second substrate are provided so as to substantially coincide with each other. With the above-described configuration, the thermal printing layer and the thermal head can be more uniformly adhered to each other, and uneven printing can be further eliminated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 (a) is a front view of a card 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 (b) is a side view of the card 1.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A1A2 of FIG. 1A (in which the thermal head 7 and the thermal printing layer 3 are separated).

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of A1A2 in FIG. 1A (a state in which the thermal head 7 and the thermal printing layer 3 are in contact with each other).

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a card reading device 10 that reads the card 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross section showing a conventional card 100.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 Thermal printing layer 5 First substrate 6 Second substrate

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ identification code FI theme code (reference) G06K 19/077 G06K 19/00 B (72) Inventor Ken Fujie 320, Yamagata, Kiji-cho, Ohara-gun, Shimane Sanyo Sanyo Industry Co., Ltd. In-house F-term (reference) 2C005 HA07 HA13 JA01 KA02 KA03 KA15 KA37 KA40 LA05 5B035 AA00 AA08 BA03 BA05 BB02 BB11 BB12 5B058 CA31 KA02 KA05 KA12 KA22 KA24

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A first substrate, a second substrate provided on the back surface of the first substrate, and a thermal printing layer provided on the front surface of the first substrate and heated by a thermal head. A card provided such that the coefficient of thermal expansion of one substrate is larger than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the second substrate. 2. The second substrate is fixed over the entire back surface of the first substrate, and the thermal printing layer is partially disposed on the front surface of the first substrate. Card. 3. The card according to claim 1, wherein the thermal printing layer contains a leuco dye. 4. The card according to claim 3, wherein the thermal printing layer develops a predetermined print color when heated to a predetermined temperature by the thermal head. 5. The card according to claim 1, wherein a magnetic recording layer is formed on the back surface of the second substrate. 6. The card according to claim 1, wherein when the thermal printing layer is heated by the thermal head for printing, the first substrate and the second substrate are convexly warped on the front surface side. 7. The central portion of the thermal printing layer and the first portion
7. The card according to claim 6, wherein the board and the second board are provided so that the central portions of the warp thereof substantially coincide with each other.