Cards and laminates incorporating multilayer optical films

• US 7,271,951 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2005
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Weber, Michael F., North, Diane, Mortenson, David K.
• Primary Examiner(s): AMARI, ALESSANDRO V
• Application Number:
  US11/132,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20050259326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 359/359, 359/589, 283/87, 283/88, 283/91, 283/57, 235/488, 235/491
• US Class Current: 359/359
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/24 All layers being polymeric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/40 Symmetrical or sandwich layers, e.g. ABA, ABCBA, ABCCBA
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/40 having particular optical properties light or UV resistant B32B2307/71
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2425/00 Cards, e.g. identity cards, credit cards
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/304 comprising vinyl halide (co)polymers, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/32 comprising polyolefins comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/36 comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/12 characterised by using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/12 using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2035/34 Markings visible under particular conditions or containing coded information
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/00 Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof printing processes to produce identification or security features B41M3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/21 for multiple purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/47 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0841 comprising organic materials, e.g. polymers

Abstract

New constructions of multilayer optical films, laminates thereof, and cards incorporating same are disclosed. In a card, the multilayer optical film can be sandwiched between relatively thick polymer layers using adhesive layers that are at least 0.5 mils thick but that may collectively account for no more than 3 mils of thickness. The cards can if desired be highly transmissive in the visible yet highly opaque in portions of the infrared. The resulting cards can have reduced angel hair formation during card stamping, increased resistance to delamination, and reduced haze.

Claims

1. A visible light transmissive card, comprising:

a first and second polymer layer each having a thickness of at least 5 mils (125 μ

m);

a multilayer optical film disposed between the first and second polymer layers, the film having a reflection band at normal incidence substantially covering the range 800-1000 nm; and

a plurality of adhesive layers between the multilayer optical film and the first and second polymer layers;

wherein the card has a haze no greater than 12%.

2. The card of claim 1, wherein the card has average transmission from 800-1000 nm no greater than 8%.

3. The card of claim 2, wherein the card has average transmission from 800-1000 nm of no greater than 5%.

4. The card of claim 1, wherein the card has average transmission of at least 70% from 400-700 nm.

5. The card of claim 4, wherein the plurality of adhesive layers collectively account for no more than about 3 mils thickness of the card.

6. The card of claim 1, wherein the plurality of adhesive layers consist essentially of a first and second adhesive layer disposed between the multilayer optical film and the first and second polymer layers respectively.

7. The card of claim 1, wherein the plurality of adhesive layers contact major surfaces of the multilayer optical film directly or through a thin primer layer.

8. The card of claim 1, wherein the card is substantially free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

9. A card, comprising:

a first and second polymer layer each having a thickness of at least 5 mils (125 μ

m);

a multilayer optical film disposed between the first and second polymer layers, the film having a reflection band at normal incidence covering a desired spectral region; and

a plurality of adhesive layers between the multilayer optical film and the first and second polymer layers;

wherein the multilayer optical film comprises alternating layers of coPEN and a copolyester;

wherein the copolyester comprises PETG.

10. The card of claim 9, wherein the adhesive layers are at least about 0.5 mil (13 μ

m) thick and have a hardness of less than about 30 MPa.

11. The card of claim 9, wherein the card is substantially free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

12. The card of claim 9, wherein the card has average transmission of at least 70% from 400-700 nm.

13. The card of claim 9, wherein the card has a haze of no greater than 12%.

14. The card of claim 9, wherein the card has average transmission from 800-1000 nm no greater than 8%.

15. A card, comprising:

a first and second polymer layer each having a thickness of at least 5 mils (125 μ

m);

a multilayer optical film disposed between the first and second polymer layers, the film having a reflection band at normal incidence covering a desired spectral region; and

a plurality of adhesive layers between the multilayer optical film and the first and second polymer layers;

wherein the multilayer optical film comprises alternating layers of coPEN and a copolyester;

wherein the adhesive layers are at least about 0.5 mil (13 μ

m) thick and have a hardness of less than about 30 MPa.

16. The card of claim 15, wherein the card has average transmission from 800-1000 nm no greater than 8%.

17. A card, comprising:

a first and second polymer layer each having a thickness of at least 5 mils (125 μ

m);

a multilayer optical film disposed between the first and second polymer layers, the film having a reflection band at normal incidence covering a desired spectral region; and

a plurality of adhesive layers between the multilayer optical film and the first and second polymer layers;

wherein the multilayer optical film comprises alternating layers of coPEN and a copolyester;

wherein the card is substantially free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

18. The card of claim 17, wherein the card has average transmission from 800-1000 nm no greater than 8%.

19. A card, comprising:

a first and second polymer layer each having a thickness of at least 5 mils (125 μ

m);

a multilayer optical film disposed between the first and second polymer layers, the film having a reflection band at normal incidence covering a desired spectral region; and

a plurality of adhesive layers between the multilayer optical film and the first and second polymer layers;

wherein the multilayer optical film comprises alternating layers of coPEN and a copolyester;

wherein the card has a haze of no greater than 12%.

20. The card of claim 19, wherein the card has average transmission from 800-1000 nm no greater than 8%.