Multilayer identification card and a method of producing it
First Claim
1. A multilayer identification card comprising a plurality of layers of material, at least one card surface made of synthetic material bearing a structure in relief useable as a printing block, wherein the structure in relief (13, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 67) is formed of foamable synthetic material (11, 21, 31, 44, 54, 64, 71) which has been foamed by absorption of energy from an energy source irradiating the card surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multilayer identification card bearing information such as letters, numbers, patterns, pictures and so on, in which at least part of the information is present in the form of a structure in relief in a foamable synthetic material. The foamable synthetic material is transparent or dyed in the visible spectral range and is present in the identification card in the form of a layer covering either its entire surface or part of it. The information in relief is produced by means of a laser beam recorder, the energy dosage of which is used to induce the locally controllable foaming process in the synthetic material compounded with chemical or physical blowing agents. The protection against forgery may be further increased by additionally photocuring the foamable synthetic layer.
74 Citations
30 Claims
- 1. A multilayer identification card comprising a plurality of layers of material, at least one card surface made of synthetic material bearing a structure in relief useable as a printing block, wherein the structure in relief (13, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 67) is formed of foamable synthetic material (11, 21, 31, 44, 54, 64, 71) which has been foamed by absorption of energy from an energy source irradiating the card surface.
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17. A method of producing an information carrier structure in relief useable as a printing block comprising the steps of:
- forming a multilayer card structure having at least one layer of foamable synthetic material; and
selectively irradiating said foamable material with a laser beam to cause said foamable synthetic material to foam where irradiated, thereby forming a structure in relief on at least one surface of said card whereby said structure in relief is useable as a printing block. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
- forming a multilayer card structure having at least one layer of foamable synthetic material; and
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30. A multilayer identification card bearing a structure in relief useable as a printing block made by a process having the following steps:
- forming a multilayer card structure having at least one layer of a foamable material;
selectively irradiating the foamable material to cause the foamable material to foam and thereby form the structure in relief in the portions of the card which have been selectively irradiated.
- forming a multilayer card structure having at least one layer of a foamable material;
Specification