Plastic card printing with thermally transferrable adhesive
US10160247B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 2018 |
| Grant date | Dec 25, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB44C1/1729
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A plastic card is printed on by transferring an adhesive to a surface of the plastic card from a thermal transfer ribbon using a thermal printhead. A donor material is then applied over the transferred adhesive to adhere the donor material to the card surface with portions of the card surface not containing the transferred adhesive not being covered by the donor material. The techniques described herein permit the addition of high value features, such as three dimensional features, matte finishes, metallic or metallic appearing features, optical structures, and the like, to the surfaces of plastic cards. In addition, the techniques described herein can be integrated into existing card processing systems, such as central issuance card processing systems, that use thermal printing technology.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.