GB2075917A - Plastics card having a signature space - Google Patents

Abstract

This card comprises a printed case layer (1) covered on each of its two sides with an overlay of transparent filing (2 and 3) wherein a piece of paper 4 containing a plastics card having a signature space, comprising a printed core layer covered on each of its two sides with an overlay of transparent film, wherein a piece of paper containing a micro-encapsulated liquid and acting as a signature space is interposed between the core layer and at least one of the overlays. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Plastics card having a signature space The invention relates to a plastics card having a signature space, such as for example an identification card, cheque card, or credit card, comprising a printed core layer covered on both sides with a transparent film known in the art as an overlay.

Since plastics cards are generally made from polyvinylchloride (PVC) and have a smooth surface, they can only be written upon by a fibre-tip pen, the pigment of which attacks plastics material in particular PVC. In order to avoid this disadvantage, it is known to print signature spaces on the cards mainly by screen printing with inkwhich may be written upon. It is also known to glue or weld signature spaces to the card, the material of such signature spaces consisting of plastics material or paper.

Plastics cards of the type described above are usually composed of several layers, the overlay consisting of transparent smooth film and being attached to the front and rear of the actual printed core layer. The core layer and the overlays consist of similar material, so that these layers may be welded firmly together to form a unit.

Signature spaces printed on the cards by screen printing with inkwhich may be written upon and also glued or welded signature spaces of plastics material or paper have the disadvantage that subsequent manipulation or falsification is not prevented.

Prevention of falsification is ensured to a certain extent only by expensive and complicated measures, where for example reactive inks are used for the imprinting, or additional imprinting and signature show up subsequent manipulation.

An object of the invention is to provide a plastics card with a signature space which is relatively safe from falsification.

According to the invention, there is provided a plastics card having a signature space comprising a printed core layer covered on each of its two sides with an overlay of transparent film, wherein a piece of paper containing a micro-encapsulated liquid and acting as a signature space is interposed between the core layer and at least one of the overlays.

Hence, the signature space is disposed beneath the overlay of transparent film, since the piece of paper containing the micro-encapsulated liquid is inserted before welding together the core layer and the overlay of transparent plastics film. The signature space is thus no longer accessible from outside.

When pressure is applied to the signature space visible through the covering film, with a ball-point pen for example, the microscopically small capsules containing the dye liquid are opened and release the liquid. The latter then accurately reproduces a signature written on the transparent film with the ball-point pen.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a perspective partially sectioned view showing the layer structure of one embodimet of a plastics card according to the invention.

A printed core layer 1 is usually formed of polyvinylchloride (PVC). Printing provided thereon usually includes an indication of the purpose of the plastics card, for example as a cheque card, identification card or credit card. The core layer 1 is covered on opposite sides with overlays of transparent plastics films 2 and 3 respectively of similar material to that of the core layer. In producing the cards the core layer and the overlays are welded together by the action of heat. Before finally joining the core layer to the covering overlays 2 and 3, a special strip of paper 4, which contains a micr-encapsulated liquid, is inserted between the core layer 1 and the overlay 2. This paper strip acts as the signature space.As soon as pressure is applied to the outside ofthetransparentfilm 2 in the area of the paper strip 4, for example by means of a ball-point pen, the microscopically small dye capsules in the paper strip 4 are opened by the pressure transmitted thereto and they release the dye liquid which then accurately reproduces a signature which has just been made.

1. A plastics card having a signature space, comprising a printed core layer covered on each of its two sides with an overlay of transparent film, whereih a piece of paper containing a microencapsulated liquid and acting as a signature space is interposed between the core layer and at least one of the overlays.

2. A plastics card having a signature space, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (2)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Plastics card having a signature space The invention relates to a plastics card having a signature space, such as for example an identification card, cheque card, or credit card, comprising a printed core layer covered on both sides with a transparent film known in the art as an overlay. Since plastics cards are generally made from polyvinylchloride (PVC) and have a smooth surface, they can only be written upon by a fibre-tip pen, the pigment of which attacks plastics material in particular PVC. In order to avoid this disadvantage, it is known to print signature spaces on the cards mainly by screen printing with inkwhich may be written upon. It is also known to glue or weld signature spaces to the card, the material of such signature spaces consisting of plastics material or paper. Plastics cards of the type described above are usually composed of several layers, the overlay consisting of transparent smooth film and being attached to the front and rear of the actual printed core layer. The core layer and the overlays consist of similar material, so that these layers may be welded firmly together to form a unit. Signature spaces printed on the cards by screen printing with inkwhich may be written upon and also glued or welded signature spaces of plastics material or paper have the disadvantage that subsequent manipulation or falsification is not prevented. Prevention of falsification is ensured to a certain extent only by expensive and complicated measures, where for example reactive inks are used for the imprinting, or additional imprinting and signature show up subsequent manipulation. An object of the invention is to provide a plastics card with a signature space which is relatively safe from falsification. According to the invention, there is provided a plastics card having a signature space comprising a printed core layer covered on each of its two sides with an overlay of transparent film, wherein a piece of paper containing a micro-encapsulated liquid and acting as a signature space is interposed between the core layer and at least one of the overlays. Hence, the signature space is disposed beneath the overlay of transparent film, since the piece of paper containing the micro-encapsulated liquid is inserted before welding together the core layer and the overlay of transparent plastics film. The signature space is thus no longer accessible from outside. When pressure is applied to the signature space visible through the covering film, with a ball-point pen for example, the microscopically small capsules containing the dye liquid are opened and release the liquid. The latter then accurately reproduces a signature written on the transparent film with the ball-point pen. The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a perspective partially sectioned view showing the layer structure of one embodimet of a plastics card according to the invention. A printed core layer 1 is usually formed of polyvinylchloride (PVC). Printing provided thereon usually includes an indication of the purpose of the plastics card, for example as a cheque card, identification card or credit card. The core layer 1 is covered on opposite sides with overlays of transparent plastics films 2 and 3 respectively of similar material to that of the core layer. In producing the cards the core layer and the overlays are welded together by the action of heat. Before finally joining the core layer to the covering overlays 2 and 3, a special strip of paper 4, which contains a micr-encapsulated liquid, is inserted between the core layer 1 and the overlay 2. This paper strip acts as the signature space. As soon as pressure is applied to the outside ofthetransparentfilm 2 in the area of the paper strip 4, for example by means of a ball-point pen, the microscopically small dye capsules in the paper strip 4 are opened by the pressure transmitted thereto and they release the dye liquid which then accurately reproduces a signature which has just been made. CLAIMS

1. A plastics card having a signature space, comprising a printed core layer covered on each of its two sides with an overlay of transparent film, whereih a piece of paper containing a microencapsulated liquid and acting as a signature space is interposed between the core layer and at least one of the overlays.

2. A plastics card having a signature space, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.