WO2007122443A1 - Improved laser device for forming texts or images on credit cards or the like - Google Patents
Improved laser device for forming texts or images on credit cards or the like Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2007122443A1 WO2007122443A1 PCT/IB2006/001256 IB2006001256W WO2007122443A1 WO 2007122443 A1 WO2007122443 A1 WO 2007122443A1 IB 2006001256 W IB2006001256 W IB 2006001256W WO 2007122443 A1 WO2007122443 A1 WO 2007122443A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- card
- optical path
- focusing
- laser
- texts
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/435—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material
- B41J2/44—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using single radiation source per colour, e.g. lighting beams or shutter arrangements
- B41J2/442—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material using single radiation source per colour, e.g. lighting beams or shutter arrangements using lasers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J13/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets
- B41J13/10—Sheet holders, retainers, movable guides, or stationary guides
- B41J13/12—Sheet holders, retainers, movable guides, or stationary guides specially adapted for small cards, envelopes, or the like, e.g. credit cards, cut visiting cards
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
- B41J3/60—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for printing on both faces of the printing material
-
- 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
- B42D25/40—Manufacture
- B42D25/405—Marking
- B42D25/41—Marking using electromagnetic radiation
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a laser device for applying textual information or images to credit cards, identity cards and like which comprise a plastic substrate (normally polycarbonate, PVC or other) and at least one transparent covering layer on each side.
- a plastic substrate normally polycarbonate, PVC or other
- transparent covering layer on each side.
- thermography Normally, the information on credit cards is written or transferred by thermography, or by means of the laser method.
- the thermographic method has some disadvantages with respect to the laser method. Although it is advantageous in some respects, since for example it enables texts or logos to be formed with different colours, for information of a personal nature it is preferable, for reasons of security, to use the laser printing method. Texts formed by the latter technology are practically indelible and cannot be falsified (except by destroying the material of the credit card, identity card or similar).
- the laser method is also used, for example, on what are known as SIM cards of cellular telephones, to write information on the opposite side of the SIM card from that on which the chip is present.
- the object of the present invention is to accelerate, using the laser method, the process of printing information on credit cards, identity cards and cards for personal use in general.
- the present invention is applicable in general to cards for personal use in which both sides can be written (printed) by the laser method.
- the present invention is not applicable to the case of SIM cards, where printed information cannot be provided on one side of the card.
- the laser printing modules used at the present time use a single laser beam to print a text or images on a personal plastic card. If, as assumed in the present document, the card is to be "printed" on both sides, in the prior art the card has to be rotated and then fed again into the laser printing module (the first, very slow, method), or else a second module has to be used, operating for example simultaneously with the first laser printing module (the second, very costly, method).
- the object of the invention is to accelerate the "laser printing” or “laser etching” method, by providing a single pass of the card into the laser printing device. It is possible to print information simultaneously on both sides of the credit card, cash card, driver's licence, etc., without using a second laser, by making simple technical arrangements, and therefore without any significant increase in costs. Description of the invention
- the principle of the present invention is that of splitting the laser beam (ray) of a single laser by means of a suitable beam splitter, so as to create two optical paths, one of which is directed towards the top side of the card while the other is directed towards its underside.
- the device according to the invention uses common technologies already in use in this field, namely conventional mirror heads, the usual means for focusing a laser beam, etc.
- the means of transporting the card must be such as to leave a sufficient free space which remains visible on both the top and bottom sides of the card, and which will be struck by the laser light.
- polycarbonate cards are used, these being most suitable for laser printing.
- the device is also applicable to identity cards or the like produced with other materials.
- Figure 1 shows, in a highly schematic perspective view, a preferred embodiment of the improved type of laser printing device according to the present invention.
- the number 1 indicates a laser of a known type, used for printing information or images on credit cards or the like (made from plastics material such as polycarbonate, PVC, etc.).
- the wavelength of the laser is to be selected according to the properties of the material of the credit card 2.
- three types of different wavelength are commonly used, but the invention is not limited to the type of plastics material used for the card (including any additives) or to the wavelength of the laser.
- the transparent layer or layers of the card 2 which cover the layer of polycarbonate or the like are penetrated without modification by the laser beam, which on the other hand modifies the polycarbonate layer where the text consequently appears. All of this is familiar to those skilled in the art and therefore does not require a detailed description.
- the laser beam 2 travels along an optical path 2' to what is known as a mirror head 3, also of a known type, which serves to create an image or text, being focused on the plane formed by the personal card 4.
- the card 4 is, for example, fed on a conveyor belt (not shown) in the direction of the arrow
- a part 2" of the laser beam 2 is diverted, for example in the orthogonal direction and downwards, to a mirror 7 which reflects substantially all the light of the beam 2" towards a second mirror head 3 ' located on the opposite side of the card 4 from the first mirror head 3.
- the mirror head 3' is also of a known type.
- the card 4 must not have its underside covered, and therefore, according to the present invention, the card 4 is guided by its edges, by means of rollers or the like, leaving its top side and underside substantially free.
- the reference numeral 5' indicates a second focusing means positioned on the optical path 2".
- the power of the laser will be regulated in such a way as to have sufficient power in both optical paths 2' and 2" to form the image or text on the card 4.
- the present invention has been clearly described in a highly schematic way, and therefore it is obvious that the direction of the beam 2" could also be different (oblique but not orthogonal) from that shown.
Abstract
Laser device for forming images or texts on a card (4) for personal use, for example a credit card, a cash card, an identity card, or the like, in which the card consists of plastics material, preferably polycarbonate. The device comprises a laser (1) having a suitable wavelength for forming images or texts on the card (4), means of transporting the card (4), focusing means (5) for focusing the laser light (2) in an optical path (2'), and means (3) for focusing the laser light (2) of the said optical path (2') on to a first side of the card (4), characterized in that: - it comprises at least one beam splitter (6), to create a further optical path (2') with the said laser light (2); - it comprises reflecting means (7) on the said further optical path (2'); - it comprises means (3') for focusing the laser light (2) of the said further optical path (2') on to a second side of the card (4), - it comprises focusing means (5') positioned on the said further optical path (2'); - and in that the card transport means leave the surface of the card to be printed free on the said first and the said second side of the card (4).
Description
Improved laser device for forming texts or images on credit cards or the like
Technical field
The present invention relates to a laser device for applying textual information or images to credit cards, identity cards and like which comprise a plastic substrate (normally polycarbonate, PVC or other) and at least one transparent covering layer on each side.
Prior art
Normally, the information on credit cards is written or transferred by thermography, or by means of the laser method. The thermographic method has some disadvantages with respect to the laser method. Although it is advantageous in some respects, since for example it enables texts or logos to be formed with different colours, for information of a personal nature it is preferable, for reasons of security, to use the laser printing method. Texts formed by the latter technology are practically indelible and cannot be falsified (except by destroying the material of the credit card, identity card or similar).
The laser method is also used, for example, on what are known as SIM cards of cellular telephones, to write information on the opposite side of the SIM card from that on which the chip is present.
At the present time, there is an increasing requirement to accelerate the process of applying texts to credit cards, identity cards, or the like. Especially in major centres for the issue of cards of this kind for personal use, the principal factors to be taken into account are the cost and the speed of operation of the printing machine.
The object of the present invention is to accelerate, using the laser method, the process of printing information on credit cards, identity cards and cards for personal use in general. The present invention is applicable in general to
cards for personal use in which both sides can be written (printed) by the laser method. In other words, by way of example, the present invention is not applicable to the case of SIM cards, where printed information cannot be provided on one side of the card.
Essentially, the laser printing modules used at the present time, incorporated in customizing systems for credit cards or the like, use a single laser beam to print a text or images on a personal plastic card. If, as assumed in the present document, the card is to be "printed" on both sides, in the prior art the card has to be rotated and then fed again into the laser printing module (the first, very slow, method), or else a second module has to be used, operating for example simultaneously with the first laser printing module (the second, very costly, method).
The object of the invention is to accelerate the "laser printing" or "laser etching" method, by providing a single pass of the card into the laser printing device. It is possible to print information simultaneously on both sides of the credit card, cash card, driver's licence, etc., without using a second laser, by making simple technical arrangements, and therefore without any significant increase in costs. Description of the invention
Essentially, the principle of the present invention is that of splitting the laser beam (ray) of a single laser by means of a suitable beam splitter, so as to create two optical paths, one of which is directed towards the top side of the card while the other is directed towards its underside.
Thus it is possible to print simultaneously on both sides of an identity card or the like with a single pass of the card, substantially without excessively increasing the costs of the equipment and the printing time.
In other aspects, the device according to the invention uses common technologies already in use in this field, namely conventional mirror heads, the usual means for focusing a laser beam, etc.
Consequently it is unnecessary to produce suitable systems created ad hoc.
Clearly, the means of transporting the card must be such as to leave a sufficient free space which remains visible on both the top and bottom sides of the card, and which will be struck by the laser light.
Preferably, polycarbonate cards are used, these being most suitable for laser printing. However, the device is also applicable to identity cards or the like produced with other materials.
Brief description of the drawings
The present invention will now be described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, provided by way of example and without restrictive intent, and illustrated in the single figure attached to the present document, in which:
Figure 1 shows, in a highly schematic perspective view, a preferred embodiment of the improved type of laser printing device according to the present invention.
Description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention
In Fig. 1 , the number 1 indicates a laser of a known type, used for printing information or images on credit cards or the like (made from plastics material such as polycarbonate, PVC, etc.). The wavelength of the laser is to be selected according to the properties of the material of the credit card 2. At the present time, three types of different wavelength (measured in nm) are commonly used, but the invention is not limited to the type of plastics material used for the card (including any additives) or to the wavelength of the laser. The transparent layer or layers of the card 2 which cover the layer of polycarbonate or the like are penetrated without modification by the laser
beam, which on the other hand modifies the polycarbonate layer where the text consequently appears. All of this is familiar to those skilled in the art and therefore does not require a detailed description.
Normally, the laser beam 2 travels along an optical path 2' to what is known as a mirror head 3, also of a known type, which serves to create an image or text, being focused on the plane formed by the personal card 4. The card 4 is, for example, fed on a conveyor belt (not shown) in the direction of the arrow
F, in the known art, so that an image or text is created on the top side. Another card 4 is then fed, and so on. To enable the underside of each card 4 to be printed, it would have to be rotated and fed into the laser device again, with its underside turned to face upwards on this occasion. All this is clearly expensive because it increases the production times.
However, according to the present invention, what is known as a beam splitter
6 is provided upstream of a means 5 for focusing the laser beam 2. Therefore, a part 2" of the laser beam 2 is diverted, for example in the orthogonal direction and downwards, to a mirror 7 which reflects substantially all the light of the beam 2" towards a second mirror head 3 ' located on the opposite side of the card 4 from the first mirror head 3.
The mirror head 3' is also of a known type.
To enable the second mirror head 3' to create an image on the underside of the card 4, obviously the card 4 must not have its underside covered, and therefore, according to the present invention, the card 4 is guided by its edges, by means of rollers or the like, leaving its top side and underside substantially free.
The reference numeral 5' indicates a second focusing means positioned on the optical path 2".
The power of the laser will be regulated in such a way as to have sufficient power in both optical paths 2' and 2" to form the image or text on the card 4.
The present invention has been clearly described in a highly schematic way, and therefore it is obvious that the direction of the beam 2" could also be different (oblique but not orthogonal) from that shown.
A person skilled in the art could easily modify the present inventive concept without thereby departing from the scope of the teaching of the present invention.
Claims
1. Laser device for forming images or texts on a card (4) for personal use, for example a credit card, a cash card, an identity card, or the like, the said card consisting of plastics material, preferably polycarbonate, the device comprising a laser (1) having a suitable wavelength for forming images or texts on the card (4), means of transporting the card (4), focusing means (5) for focusing the laser light (2) in an optical path (2'), and means (3) for focusing the laser light (2) of the said optical path (2') on to a first side of the card (4), characterized in that:
- it comprises at least one beam splitter (6), to create a further optical path (2") with the said laser light (2);
- it comprises reflecting means (7) on the said further optical path (2");
- it comprises means (3') for focusing the laser light (2) of the said further optical path (2') on to a second side of the card (4),
- it comprises focusing means (5') positioned on the said further optical path (2");
- and in that the card transport means leave the surface of the card to be printed free on the said first and the said second side of the card (4).
2. Laser device for forming images or texts on a card (4) for personal use, according to Claim 1, in which the said means (3; 3') for focusing the laser light (2) on to the said first and the said second side, respectively, of the card (4) for personal use are mirror heads (3, 3') of a conventional type.
3. Laser device for forming images or texts on a card (4) for personal use, in which the said optical paths (2', 2") immediately downstream of the beam splitter (6) are orthogonal to each other.
4. Laser device for forming images or texts on a card (4) for personal use, according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the said transport means are of the continuous or intermittent motion type.
5. Laser device for forming images or texts on a card (4) for personal use, according to Claim 4, in which the said transport means substantially act only on two opposite edges of the card, and consist of counter-rotating gripping rollers or the like.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2006/001256 WO2007122443A1 (en) | 2006-04-25 | 2006-04-25 | Improved laser device for forming texts or images on credit cards or the like |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2006/001256 WO2007122443A1 (en) | 2006-04-25 | 2006-04-25 | Improved laser device for forming texts or images on credit cards or the like |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2007122443A1 true WO2007122443A1 (en) | 2007-11-01 |
Family
ID=37561289
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2006/001256 WO2007122443A1 (en) | 2006-04-25 | 2006-04-25 | Improved laser device for forming texts or images on credit cards or the like |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| WO (1) | WO2007122443A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102009031871A1 (en) * | 2009-07-06 | 2011-01-13 | Nanosec Gesellschaft Für Nanotechnologie In Der Sicherheitstechnik MBH | Method and device for laser marking |
| DE102018106580A1 (en) * | 2018-03-20 | 2019-09-26 | Erich Utsch Ag | Method for double marking of a license plate for a vehicle |
| CN112596343A (en) * | 2020-11-17 | 2021-04-02 | 东南大学 | Double-beam laser 3D printing device |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5421619A (en) * | 1993-12-22 | 1995-06-06 | Drexler Technology Corporation | Laser imaged identification card |
-
2006
- 2006-04-25 WO PCT/IB2006/001256 patent/WO2007122443A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5421619A (en) * | 1993-12-22 | 1995-06-06 | Drexler Technology Corporation | Laser imaged identification card |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102009031871A1 (en) * | 2009-07-06 | 2011-01-13 | Nanosec Gesellschaft Für Nanotechnologie In Der Sicherheitstechnik MBH | Method and device for laser marking |
| US20120132630A1 (en) * | 2009-07-06 | 2012-05-31 | Nanosec Gesellschaft Für Nanotechnologie In Der Sicherheitstechnik MBH | Method and Device for Laser Inscribing |
| DE102009031871B4 (en) * | 2009-07-06 | 2013-10-24 | Nanosec Gesellschaft Für Nanotechnologie In Der Sicherheitstechnik MBH | Method and device for laser marking |
| DE102018106580A1 (en) * | 2018-03-20 | 2019-09-26 | Erich Utsch Ag | Method for double marking of a license plate for a vehicle |
| CN112596343A (en) * | 2020-11-17 | 2021-04-02 | 东南大学 | Double-beam laser 3D printing device |
| CN112596343B (en) * | 2020-11-17 | 2022-10-14 | 东南大学 | Double-beam laser 3D printing device |
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