WO1996014993A1 - Cards - Google Patents
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- Publication number
- WO1996014993A1 WO1996014993A1 PCT/GB1995/002694 GB9502694W WO9614993A1 WO 1996014993 A1 WO1996014993 A1 WO 1996014993A1 GB 9502694 W GB9502694 W GB 9502694W WO 9614993 A1 WO9614993 A1 WO 9614993A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- topcoat
- card
- image
- composition
- polymer
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 56
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 40
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 38
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 claims description 29
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 claims description 25
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000004014 plasticizer Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 229920000915 polyvinyl chloride Polymers 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- -1 acrylate ester Chemical class 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCO LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- FUGYGGDSWSUORM-UHFFFAOYSA-N para-hydroxystyrene Natural products OC1=CC=C(C=C)C=C1 FUGYGGDSWSUORM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 108091081062 Repeated sequence (DNA) Proteins 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- VVQNEPGJFQJSBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methyl methacrylate Chemical compound COC(=O)C(C)=C VVQNEPGJFQJSBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- KKEYFWRCBNTPAC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Terephthalic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)C1=CC=C(C(O)=O)C=C1 KKEYFWRCBNTPAC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- QQVIHTHCMHWDBS-UHFFFAOYSA-N isophthalic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)C1=CC=CC(C(O)=O)=C1 QQVIHTHCMHWDBS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- JIGUQPWFLRLWPJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethyl acrylate Chemical compound CCOC(=O)C=C JIGUQPWFLRLWPJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- CQEYYJKEWSMYFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N butyl acrylate Chemical compound CCCCOC(=O)C=C CQEYYJKEWSMYFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011247 coating layer Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- PNJWIWWMYCMZRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N pent‐4‐en‐2‐one Natural products CC(=O)CC=C PNJWIWWMYCMZRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002356 single layer Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- BZHJMEDXRYGGRV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Vinyl chloride Chemical compound ClC=C BZHJMEDXRYGGRV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- 229920003229 poly(methyl methacrylate) Polymers 0.000 abstract description 9
- 239000004926 polymethyl methacrylate Substances 0.000 abstract description 8
- 238000005562 fading Methods 0.000 abstract description 4
- 239000000975 dye Substances 0.000 description 23
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 17
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 16
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 9
- 230000005012 migration Effects 0.000 description 9
- 238000013508 migration Methods 0.000 description 9
- ZWEHNKRNPOVVGH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-Butanone Chemical compound CCC(C)=O ZWEHNKRNPOVVGH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 238000005336 cracking Methods 0.000 description 4
- 229920006287 phenoxy resin Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 239000013034 phenoxy resin Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 229920002799 BoPET Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000032683 aging Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 3
- 210000003811 finger Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 3
- MQIUGAXCHLFZKX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Di-n-octyl phthalate Natural products CCCCCCCCOC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1C(=O)OCCCCCCCC MQIUGAXCHLFZKX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- YMWUJEATGCHHMB-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dichloromethane Chemical compound ClCCl YMWUJEATGCHHMB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000012790 adhesive layer Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000011156 evaluation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920001519 homopolymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000003475 lamination Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000011068 loading method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000178 monomer Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000035882 stress Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000859 sublimation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008022 sublimation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000003813 thumb Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- UPLPHRJJTCUQAY-WIRWPRASSA-N 2,3-thioepoxy madol Chemical compound C([C@@H]1CC2)[C@@H]3S[C@@H]3C[C@]1(C)[C@@H]1[C@@H]2[C@@H]2CC[C@](C)(O)[C@@]2(C)CC1 UPLPHRJJTCUQAY-WIRWPRASSA-N 0.000 description 1
- KUBDPQJOLOUJRM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-(chloromethyl)oxirane;4-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propan-2-yl]phenol Chemical compound ClCC1CO1.C=1C=C(O)C=CC=1C(C)(C)C1=CC=C(O)C=C1 KUBDPQJOLOUJRM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- BVKZGUZCCUSVTD-UHFFFAOYSA-L Carbonate Chemical compound [O-]C([O-])=O BVKZGUZCCUSVTD-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 239000004801 Chlorinated PVC Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004230 Fast Yellow AB Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920004142 LEXAN™ Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004418 Lexan Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004425 Makrolon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 201000004854 SAPHO syndrome Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Styrene Natural products C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000006096 absorbing agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- DHKHKXVYLBGOIT-UHFFFAOYSA-N acetaldehyde Diethyl Acetal Natural products CCOC(C)OCC DHKHKXVYLBGOIT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000002777 acetyl group Chemical class [H]C([H])([H])C(*)=O 0.000 description 1
- 150000001252 acrylic acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229920006397 acrylic thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000002723 alicyclic group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- BJQHLKABXJIVAM-UHFFFAOYSA-N bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate Chemical group CCCCC(CC)COC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1C(=O)OCC(CC)CCCC BJQHLKABXJIVAM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008199 coating composition Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000001142 dicarboxylic acid group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000002009 diols Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000009472 formulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004927 fusion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004519 grease Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002386 leaching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000002734 metacrylic acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000643 oven drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000000951 phenoxy group Chemical group [H]C1=C([H])C([H])=C(O*)C([H])=C1[H] 0.000 description 1
- 229920002037 poly(vinyl butyral) polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920006254 polymer film Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000379 polypropylene carbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000750 progressive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011253 protective coating Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- ISXSCDLOGDJUNJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N tert-butyl prop-2-enoate Chemical compound CC(C)(C)OC(=O)C=C ISXSCDLOGDJUNJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000010998 test method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010023 transfer printing Methods 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000005303 weighing Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
- B41M7/00—After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, setting of the ink, protection of the printed stock
- B41M7/0027—After-treatment of prints, e.g. heating, irradiating, setting of the ink, protection of the printed stock using protective coatings or layers by lamination or by fusion of the coatings or layers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
- B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
- B42D25/00—Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof
-
- B42D2033/00—
Definitions
- the invention relates to secure cards having images formed by thermal transfer printing on at least one side, and especially to thermally transferable protective topcoats for securing such images
- Thermal transfer p ⁇ nting is a process in which one or more thermally transferable dyes are caused to transfer from selected areas of a dyesheet to a receiver by thermal stimuli, thereby to form an image
- a dyesheet comprising a thin substrate supporting a dyecoat containing one or more uniformly spread dyes
- printing is effected by heating selected discrete areas of the dyesheet while the dyecoat is pressed against a dye-receptive surface of a receiver sheet, thereby causing dye to transfer to corresponding areas of the receiver
- the shape of the image transferred is determined by the number and locations of the discrete areas which are subjected to heating
- Full colour p ⁇ nts can be produced by p ⁇ nting with different coloured dvecoats sequentially in like manner, and the different coloured dvecoats are usually provided as discrete uniform panels arranged in a repeated sequence
- High resolution photograph-like prints can be produced by thermal transfer p ⁇ nting using approp ⁇ ate p ⁇ nting equipment, such as a programmable thermal p ⁇ nt head or laser p ⁇ nter. controlled by electronic signals de ⁇ ved from a video, computer, electronic still camera, or similar signai generating apparatus
- a typical thermal print head has a row of tiny selectiveiv energizable heaters, spaced to p ⁇ nt six or more pixels per millimetre, often with two heaters per pixel
- Laser p ⁇ nters require absorbers to conve ⁇ the laser radiation to heat, usually in or under the dyecoat, and similarly produce the print by transferring dyes to the receiver pixel by pixel
- the transfer mechanism is believed to depend very much on the conditions under which p ⁇ nting is earned out
- the dyesheet and receiver are pressed together between the head and a platen roller, giving conditions favouring diffusion of the dyes from the dyesheet directly into the receiver, virtually precluding any sublimation
- the transfer mechanism appears to be exclusively sublimation
- the dyes are mobile molecules which can diffuse into and out of the receiver when warmed, or in the presence of va ⁇ ous lyophilic liquids
- grease from a finger holding a p ⁇ nt can lead to migration of the dye to the surface, making the print seem dirty or causing smearing of the dyes, and plasticisers in plastic pouches can cause havoc with unprotected thermal transfer images.
- dioctylphthalate commonly used as a plasticiser in polyvinyl chloride.
- various protective covers have been proposed to protect thermal transfer prints against abrasion, loss of dyes by migration to the surface, and protection against UN-induced fading, for example.
- Very thin covers are generally preferred, typically 4 ⁇ m, which are difficult to handle without some form of support, and in the past it has been proposed first to prepare a donor sheet comprising a temporary carrier base sheet having a surface coated with a layer of transparent thermally transferable cover material, then thermally transferring the coating onto the printed receiver and removing the carrier, thereby leaving the transferred material to form a topcoat.
- transfer can be effected simultaneously over the whole print, and the carrier is then removed after the transfer is complete.
- transfer may be progressive, e.g. using heated rollers or a thermal head to transfer the topcoat line by line, and it is then generally more convenient to remove the carrier progressively as it emerges from the rolls or thermal head.
- polymeric compositions having higher Tg values generally provide better protective coatings, but higher Tg values can lose some of the advantages of the lower Tg materials.
- good barrier materials of high Tg are not always good adhesives, and to overcome this problem, complex coatings consisting of a plurality of layers of differing functions have previously been proposed.
- multilayer polymeric coatings comprising a layer of barrier material, laminated to a layer of more adhesive material on one side for providing better adhesion to the receiver, and on the other a layer of a less adhesive material to assist in its release from the carrier, has been described in US 4,977, 136.
- thermal transfer image corresponds to the electronic signal fed to the thermal head, laser printer or other thermal transfer driving means
- each image can be readily customised as required, and this has been made use of in producing wallet size cards with personalised images
- These include, for example, credit cards, driving licences and identification cards, all of which can have images incorporating electronic photographs, signatures and/or personal data to provide a card unique to the user.
- a method for manufactu ⁇ ng secure cards each consisting essentially of a card base and a topcoat, comp ⁇ ses forming a thermal transfer image in a dve-receptive surface of the card base, and thermally transfer ⁇ ng the topcoat onto the image-containing surface, wherein to improve protection against plasticiser degradation of the thermal transfer image, the topcoat comprises at least one bar ⁇ er layer which is formed of a polymer composition having a Tg>70°C, and which is resistant to the formation of microscopic cracks in the topcoat under tensile bending that is insufficient to cause macroscopic permanent deformation
- a preferred method is one wherein the level of tensile bending is that achieved by suppo ⁇ mg the ends of the secure card, flexing the card to displace by 2 cm the portion of the card equidistant from its supported ends, and repeating to complete 100 such displacements, and wherein the microscopic cracks are of a size to be visible when viewed at a magnification of 400x
- this may be achieved by prepa ⁇ ng a plurality of sample secure cards of which each is topcoated with a different barrier layer composition, flexing each card as above, selecting a thus flexed sample card for which no cracks were evident in the surface of the topcoat, and carrying out the manufacture of secure cards using a topcoat composition corresponding to that used in the selected sample.
- a topcoat composition corresponding to that used in the selected sample.
- the sample secure cards by coating a PET film carrier with a layer of the topcoat barrier composition being tested. This is then placed in contact with a PVC card having a pre-printed thermal transfer image diffused into its contacted surface, and the foil and card passed together through a hot roller laminator unit. The PET carrier is then peeled from the card leaving the barrier coating adhered as a topcoat overlying the image.
- An alternative way to prepare the sample secure cards is to pass the foil and card through a printer, the thermal heads then providing the heat for transferring the topcoat barrier composition, but for this, the foil requires a heat resistant backcoat to protect the thermoplastic PET carrier from the high temperatures generated by the thermal head.
- Flexing of the cards can be carried out rigorously by mounting the short edges of the sample cards in an ISO 7816- 1 1987 (E) test rig, and flexing the card by activating the rig.
- the ISO 7816-1 1987 (E) test method is designed to examine for macroscopic failure in cards after 1,000 bendings, but does also provide an appropriate standard rig for evaluating microscopic crack resistance in the present context when the cards are flexed for the smaller number of cycles detailed above. In this standard test, the card is held by its ends between two jaws and one of the jaws is moved to bend the card repeatedly at a rate of 30 bendings per minute.
- the test also prescribes that the card be held along its sides (as provided by its longer edges) and similarly bent repeatedly but with a deflection of only 1 cm.
- we found generally that those samples which passed the test would survive further flexing in either direction, but those that failed the test would crack after a very small amount of flexing, with the number of cracks increasing with further flexing. While it is true that the more cracks there are, the more easily they can be seen, we found no difficulty in seeing the cracks when these were present after the limited number of bendings specified above
- the sheet base of the card can be a homogeneous sheet of a dye receptive polymer composition Typical of such sheets is polyvinylchloride sheet loaded with a white filler to show off the coloured image formed of thermally transferred dyes diffused into it Thus in this case, the material of the dye-receptive surface extends throughout the sheet base More typical are laminates of white filled polyvinylchloride sandwiched between clear layers of vinylchlo ⁇ de/vinvl acetate copolymer.
- a transfer foil comprising a carrier sheet and a coating layer of a thermally transferable barrier composition for transfer onto a thermal transfer image formed in a receiver surface, thereby to form a topcoat for providing protection against plasticiser degradation of the image, wherein the barrier composition has a Tg>70°C, and comprises a polymer resistant to the formation of microscopic cracks under tensile bending that is insufficient to cause macroscopic permanent deformation.
- a preferred barrier composition is one formulated to minimise stress concentration by the use of unsuitable fillers.
- Previously known topcoats generally have a light loading of filler particles which are large compared to the thickness of the topcoat polymer, e.g. being about 10 ⁇ m and irregular in shape, they stand proud of a 4 ⁇ m polymer matrix to improve abrasion resistance and may also have a non-blocking effect to assist mechanical handling.
- microscopic observation of such topcoats after use reveals cracks radiating from such fillers, and we prefer to use a topcoat compositions wherein the barrier layer composition is free from filler particles whose smallest diameter is greater than the thickness of the barrier layer.
- the topcoat preferably consists of a single layer which is formed of the barrier layer composr on, but alternatively can be a composite of two or more layers, this being especially beneficial when using barrier layers r f a particularly high Tg.
- the high Tg barrier polymer of the invention may also have an associated layer of lower Tg polymer which is located on its outer surface such that when transferred onto the image-containing surface of a card, the layer of low Tg polymer lies between the barrier layer and the card in order to improve the adhesion between them.
- an acrylate ester to the methylmethacrylate as a co-monomer, even as a minor amount, provides a copolymer having resistance to cracking when flexed, and hence giving superior resistance to leaching of the dyes forming the image, by pouch plasticiser.
- the amount of acrylate ester that can be added as co-monomer is limited by the need to keep the Tg maintained above 70°C.
- this beneficial effect occurs when acrylate esters are copoiymerised with other commoners whose homopolymers we have found to crack readily when flexed.
- parahydroxystyrene/butyl acrylate copolymer provides a much stronger barrier than parahydroxystyrene/methylmethacrylate copolymer, or parahydroxystyrene/ styrene copolymer.
- a preferred transfer foil is thus one wherein the polymer of the barrier composition is a copolymer of an acrylate ester. Particularly preferred are copolymers of methyl methacrylate and ethyl acrylate. and copolymers of parahydroxystyrene and butyl acrylate
- polyesters especially those which contain an alicyclic diol or dicarboxylic acid residue.
- Vylon GK-640 gave particularly good resistance to cracking, and there was no visible dye migration seen, even after prolonged thermal accelerated ageing (as described in the Examples hereinafter. This is believed to be a copolymer of terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, ethylene glycol and 1 ,4-cyclohexylenedimethanol.
- the barrier layer of the transfer foil can contain some particuiate fillers, but for the reasons discussed above, we prefer that it be free from filler particles whose smallest diameter is greater than the thickness of the barrier layer.
- the transfer foil comprises a carrier sheet and coating layer of thermally transferable topcoat barrier composition
- this carrier sheet can be any sheet or coated sheet able to withstand the transfer temperatures.
- Paper can be used, but the thicker the sheet, the more transfer energy is required, and we prefer to use polymer films, such as PET film, typically less than 30 ⁇ m thick according to the manner in which the barrier composition is to be transferred.
- polymer films such as PET film, typically less than 30 ⁇ m thick according to the manner in which the barrier composition is to be transferred.
- we discussed two methods for transferring the barrier composition we prefer to use a carrier sheet of about 12 ⁇ m when using a hot roller laminator unit, but a heat-resistant back-coated film of 4-6 ⁇ m thickness is preferred when using a thermal head.
- thermoplastic carrier sheet To assist in release of the cover material from a thermoplastic carrier sheet, we prefer that the latter be primed with a cross-linked resin, to prevent fusion between the carrier and the transferring cover material. Such primes, applied effectively in known manner, remain on the carrier as it is stripped off. Other coatings featuring one or more of the many known release agents or releasing binders, can be provided instead or in addition to the cross-linked prime, but with such materials there is a chance that at least some will transfer with the cover material. This can be undesirable in a number of applications, especially those requiring lamination of the print to a security cover sheet; in the passports, driving licences, medical cards and security passes referred to above, for example. In general, therefore, we prefer to coat the transferable cover material directly onto the primed surface of the carrier base sheet of the transfer foil.
- the transfer foil can be separate from the dyesheet used to prepare the image, although it is often convenient to have this packaged in a form which enables it to be used in the same apparatus as that which prints the image.
- a preferred transfer foil is one which is incorporated into a dyesheet ribbon, suitably that used to form the image, comprising a substrate supporting different coloured dvecoats provided as discrete uniform print-size panels arranged in a repeated sequence along the ribbon, the carrier sheet of the transfer foil being provided by a part of the dyesheet substrate between repeated sequences of the dyecoat panels.
- each sequence of print-size coloured dyecoats also has a further print-size panel of the thermally transferable topcoat barrier composition.
- a secure card consisting essentially of a card base having a thermal transfer image in a dye-receptive surface, and a thermally transferred topcoat overlying the image- containing surface; wherein to improve protection against plasticiser degradation of the thermal transfer image, the topcoat comprises at least one barrier layer which is formed of a polymer composition having a Tg>70°C, and which is resistant to the formation of microscopic cracks in the topcoat under tensile bending that is insufficient to cause macroscopic permanent deformation.
- a method for providing improved protection against plasticiser degradation of a thermal transfer image formed in a dye-receptive surface of a card comprises thermally transferring onto the image containing surface, a topcoat of a polymer composition having a Tg>70°C, and which is resistant to the formation of microscopic cracks in the topcoat under tensile bending which is insufficient to cause macroscopic permanent deformation.
- Example 1 Three coating compositions were prepared based on the following polymers.
- Neocryl B81 1 (Zeneca) The solutions were made up using the following solvents.
- All three topcoated cards were placed in commercial plasticised PVC pouches containing approximately 24 wt% of di-octyl phthalate plasticiser.
- the PVC of each pouch was held against the topcoat of the secure card lodged inside it, by weighting it with a small steel plate (approximately 25 x 50 x 3 mm) weighing about 30 g.
- Each card, with its pouch and weight was then placed on a flat surface in an oven maintained at 50 +/- 2°C for five days, to provide thermally accelerated ageing.
- the PVC pouch was then removed, and the image examined by eye and optical microscope at 200x and 500x magnification using DIC and dark field illumination for evidence of dye migration and/or loss.
- the PVC pouch was also examined for transferred dye.
- the polymethyl methacrylate topcoated sample (C) exhibited considerable dye loss. This was observed under the microscope as white dye-free regions extending from the cracks. No dye migration was detected in either of samples A (polycarbonate) or B (phenoxy resin). The PVC pouches were then replaced on samples A and B, and the cycle repeated for a further five days, but no dye migration was observed in either case.
- samples A polycarbonate
- B phenoxy resin
- Vylon GK880 84 no no acrvlic
- Lyncure CMM >100 yes yes phenoxv phenoxy/Estane 60/40 no no
Landscapes
- Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
- Thermal Transfer Or Thermal Recording In General (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP8515858A JPH10509102A (en) | 1994-11-16 | 1995-11-16 | card |
DE69504533T DE69504533T2 (en) | 1994-11-16 | 1995-11-16 | CARDS |
EP95937934A EP0792214B1 (en) | 1994-11-16 | 1995-11-16 | Cards |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9423080.2 | 1994-11-16 | ||
GB9423080A GB9423080D0 (en) | 1994-11-16 | 1994-11-16 | Cards |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1996014993A1 true WO1996014993A1 (en) | 1996-05-23 |
Family
ID=10764459
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB1995/002694 WO1996014993A1 (en) | 1994-11-16 | 1995-11-16 | Cards |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0792214B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH10509102A (en) |
DE (1) | DE69504533T2 (en) |
GB (1) | GB9423080D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1996014993A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1998007573A1 (en) * | 1996-08-16 | 1998-02-26 | Imperial Chemical Industries Plc | Thermal transfer printing receiver sheet |
EP0845371A3 (en) * | 1996-11-27 | 1998-06-17 | Eastman Kodak Company | Thermal dye transfer print laminated to a protective sheet by an adhesive layer |
EP0924100A1 (en) * | 1997-12-19 | 1999-06-23 | Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha | Protecting film for sublimation transfer image receiver |
EP0917964A3 (en) * | 1997-11-20 | 2000-03-08 | Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. | Protective layer transfer sheet |
EP0982150A3 (en) * | 1998-08-26 | 2000-04-19 | Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. | Protective layer transfer film and image-printed matter |
EP1232874A1 (en) * | 2001-02-19 | 2002-08-21 | Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. | Protective layer transfer sheet and print bearing said layer |
EP1179436A3 (en) * | 2000-08-11 | 2004-03-31 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Laminating film and laminating method using it |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP5782770B2 (en) * | 2011-03-24 | 2015-09-24 | 大日本印刷株式会社 | Protective layer transfer sheet |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0250227A2 (en) * | 1986-06-17 | 1987-12-23 | Kyodo Printing Co., Ltd. | Method of producing an optical recording card and transfer type optical recording medium |
EP0495482A1 (en) * | 1991-01-16 | 1992-07-22 | Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. | Image protective film |
US5376434A (en) * | 1992-08-11 | 1994-12-27 | Konica Corporation | Photographic material comprising protective layer and preparing method thereof |
-
1994
- 1994-11-16 GB GB9423080A patent/GB9423080D0/en active Pending
-
1995
- 1995-11-16 EP EP95937934A patent/EP0792214B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-11-16 WO PCT/GB1995/002694 patent/WO1996014993A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1995-11-16 DE DE69504533T patent/DE69504533T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-11-16 JP JP8515858A patent/JPH10509102A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0250227A2 (en) * | 1986-06-17 | 1987-12-23 | Kyodo Printing Co., Ltd. | Method of producing an optical recording card and transfer type optical recording medium |
EP0495482A1 (en) * | 1991-01-16 | 1992-07-22 | Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. | Image protective film |
US5376434A (en) * | 1992-08-11 | 1994-12-27 | Konica Corporation | Photographic material comprising protective layer and preparing method thereof |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1998007573A1 (en) * | 1996-08-16 | 1998-02-26 | Imperial Chemical Industries Plc | Thermal transfer printing receiver sheet |
EP0845371A3 (en) * | 1996-11-27 | 1998-06-17 | Eastman Kodak Company | Thermal dye transfer print laminated to a protective sheet by an adhesive layer |
EP0917964A3 (en) * | 1997-11-20 | 2000-03-08 | Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. | Protective layer transfer sheet |
EP0924100A1 (en) * | 1997-12-19 | 1999-06-23 | Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha | Protecting film for sublimation transfer image receiver |
US6239069B1 (en) | 1997-12-19 | 2001-05-29 | Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha | Protecting film for sublimation transfer image receiver on of and protected sublimation transfer image receiver |
EP0982150A3 (en) * | 1998-08-26 | 2000-04-19 | Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. | Protective layer transfer film and image-printed matter |
US6346316B1 (en) | 1998-08-26 | 2002-02-12 | Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. | Protective layer transfer sheet and print |
EP1179436A3 (en) * | 2000-08-11 | 2004-03-31 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Laminating film and laminating method using it |
EP1232874A1 (en) * | 2001-02-19 | 2002-08-21 | Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. | Protective layer transfer sheet and print bearing said layer |
US6737152B2 (en) | 2001-02-19 | 2004-05-18 | Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. | Protective layer transfer sheet and print |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0792214A1 (en) | 1997-09-03 |
EP0792214B1 (en) | 1998-09-02 |
DE69504533D1 (en) | 1998-10-08 |
GB9423080D0 (en) | 1995-01-04 |
DE69504533T2 (en) | 1999-02-25 |
JPH10509102A (en) | 1998-09-08 |
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