Tape supply roller with zone coated tape

Abstract

A tape supply roll for a plastic card or passport personalization machine. The tape supply roll includes a region coated splice tape having a pressure sensitive adhesive on a backing film where the adhesive does not flow or exudate beyond an edge of the backing film. Therefore, the transferable material, which is in contact with the splicing adhesive tape, on the winding layer cannot be pulled away. For example, portions of the backing film of the splice tape are not coated with adhesive, which allows the adhesive to flow or seep when pressure is applied to the splice tape. However, the flow of the adhesive is insufficient to flow beyond the edge of the backing film.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present technical disclosure relates to a tape supply device used in plastic card and passport personalization machines, such as desktop personalization machines and central issuance machines. Background Art

[0002] In tape supply devices used in plastic card and passport personalization machines, it is sometimes necessary to splice the ends of two films together using a splicing tape. For example, Figure 1A and Figure 1B The use of a conventional splicing tape 10 on a printed tape is shown. Figure 1A to Figure 1B Two continuous wraps 12a, 12b of a supply roll of printing tape are shown, wherein wrap 12b is located radially outside of wrap 12a and is wound around wrap 12a. Wrap 12a includes a first section 14 of tape interconnected with a second section 16 of tape at a joint 18 by a splicing tape 10. Wrap 12b is a continuation of the first section 14 of tape wound around wrap 12a, wherein a number of additional wraps (not shown) corresponding to the first section 14 of tape are wound on wrap 12b to form a supply roll of printing tape. In this example, the first section of tape 14 is depicted as including a carrier film 20 and a transferable ink / dye material 22, such as a separate color ink / dye panel, which is disposed on the carrier film 20 for applying color to a plastic card or passport. The second section 16 of tape is depicted as a tail without any transferable material thereon and for starting winding the printing tape onto a core (not shown).

[0003] The splicing tape 10 includes a backing film 24 and a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) 26 on the backing film 24. The PSA 26 contacts the first section 14 of the tape and the second section 16 of the tape and bridges the joint 18, thereby interconnecting the two sections 14, 16. As the wrap 12b and subsequent wraps are wrapped around the splicing tape 10, pressure is applied to the splicing tape 10, which causes the PSA 26 to flow or ooze beyond the edge of the backing film 24. This flow of the PSA 26 beyond the edge is indicated at 26a, 26b. The adhesives 26a, 26b bond to corresponding portions of the transferable ink / dye material 22 on the wrap 12b. When the section of wrap 12b is needed and unwound from splicing tape 10, portions of transferable ink / dye material 22 adhere to adhesive 26a, 26b and peel away from the wrap, leaving voids 28a, 28b in transferable ink / dye material 22. Therefore, when a transferable ink / dye material 22 containing voids is used to print an image on a plastic card or passport, voids may be formed in the printed image. Summary of the invention

[0004] A tape supply roll for a plastic card or passport personalization machine is described herein. The tape supply roll includes an area-coated splicing tape, wherein the PSA on the backing film of the splicing tape is configured so that the PSA does not flow or ooze beyond the edge of the backing film. Thus, the transferable material on the wrapping layer that is in contact with the splicing tape is not pulled away. For example, portions of the backing film of the splicing tape are not coated with the PSA. This allows the PSA to flow or ooze when pressure is applied to the splicing tape. However, the flow of the PSA is insufficient to flow beyond the edge of the backing film.

[0005] Plastic cards and passports may be generally referred to as personalized identification documents. Examples of plastic cards include, but are not limited to, financial cards (e.g., credit cards, debit cards, etc.), access cards, driver's licenses, national identification cards, and commercial identification cards. In an embodiment, the plastic card may be an ID-1 card as defined by ISO / IEC 7810. However, other card formats as defined by ISO / IEC 7810, such as ID-2, may also be used. In an embodiment, the passport may be in the ID-3 format as defined by ISO / IEC 7810.

[0006] In one embodiment described herein, a tape supply roll for a plastic card or passport personalization machine is described. The tape supply roll includes a core and a tape wound on the core, wherein at least a portion of the tape includes a carrier film and a transferable material disposed on the carrier film. The transferable material is suitable for transfer from the carrier film to a plastic card or passport in the plastic card or passport personalization machine. A splicing tape is disposed along the length of the tape and interconnects two initially separate sections of the tape. The splicing tape includes a backing film and a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the backing film, the pressure sensitive adhesive not extending beyond an edge of the backing film.

[0007] In another embodiment described herein, a method of forming a tape supply roll for a plastic card or passport personalization machine is described. The method includes interconnecting a first section of tape and a second section of tape using a splicing tape, wherein at least one of the first section of tape and the second section of tape includes a carrier film and a transferable material disposed on the carrier film, wherein the transferable material is suitable for transfer from the carrier film to the plastic card or passport in the plastic card or passport personalization machine. The splicing tape includes a backing film and a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the backing film, and there is a gap between the pressure sensitive adhesive and an edge of the backing film. The interconnected first section of tape and the second section of tape are then wound onto a core.

[0008] A splicing tape is also provided, the splicing tape being configured for interconnecting a first section of tape and a second section of tape of a tape supply roll of a plastic card or passport personalization machine. The splicing tape may include a backing film and a pressure sensitive adhesive on the backing film, with a gap between the end edge of the pressure sensitive adhesive and the end edge of the backing film. Optionally, a gap may also be provided between the side edge of the pressure sensitive adhesive and the side edge of the backing film. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1A and Figure 1B An example of a conventional splicing tape for splicing two sections of tape to one another to form a printed tape is shown.

[0010] Figure 2 A tape supply roll including the new splicing tape described herein is shown.

[0011] Figure 3 An example of a personalized identification document in the form of a plastic card is shown.

[0012] Figure 4 Another example of a personalized identification document in the form of a passport is shown.

[0013] Figure 5 An exemplary arrangement of components of an identity document processing system with a supply roll as described herein may be used is schematically depicted.

[0014] Figure 6 Another exemplary arrangement of components of an identity document processing system with a supply roll as described herein may be used is schematically depicted.

[0015] Figure 7 is a top view of the novel splicing tape described herein relative to a first section and a second section of tape to be interconnected by the novel splicing tape.

[0016] Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8.

[0017] Fig. 9 Shows Figure 2 The tape supply roll consists of two continuously wound layers of new splicing tape.

[0018] Fig.10 is with Fig. 9 Similar view, but with the wrap unwound from the new splicing tape.

[0019] Fig.11 Another example of a new splicing tape interconnecting a first section and a second section of tape is shown.

[0020] Fig.12 Another example of a new splicing tape interconnecting a first section and a second section of tape is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Figure 2 A new splicing tape ( Figure 21 and 1 . The tape supply roll 50 includes a core 52 and a tape 54 wound onto the core 52 in several windings or layers. The tape supply roll 50 may also be referred to as a tape supply device.

[0022] The tape supply roll 50 can be installed directly into the plastic card or passport personalization machine in which the tape supply roll 50 is to be used. In another embodiment, the tape supply roll 50 is intended to be removably mounted on a reusable cassette that is removably mounted into the plastic card or passport personalization machine, wherein the cassette can be removed from the machine, the tape supply roll removed and replaced with a new tape supply roll, and then the cassette can be reinstalled into the plastic card or passport personalization machine. In another embodiment, the tape supply roll 50 is intended to be installed in a disposable cassette that is removably mounted into the plastic card or passport personalization machine and the cassette is discarded when the tape supply roll 50 is used up.

[0023] The tape supply roll 50 may include any type of consumable tape 54 that is used in a plastic card or passport personalization machine and that needs to be replaced with a new tape supply roll from time to time. In one embodiment, the tape supply roll 50 is intended for use with a plastic card personalization machine that is designed to personalize one or more plastic cards, including but not limited to financial cards (e.g., credit cards, debit cards, etc.), driver's licenses, national identification cards, business identification cards, gift cards, and other plastic cards with personalized data unique to the cardholder and / or with other card information. In some embodiments, the tape supply roll may be intended for use with a passport personalization machine that is designed to personalize a passport or other non-card document (which machine may generally be referred to as a card personalization machine). The plastic card personalization machine may be a desktop card personalization machine (see Figure 5 ) or a central issuing authority (see Figure 6 ), the desktop card personalization machine is designed to personalize one card / passport at a time, on the order of tens per hour, and the central issuance machine is designed to personalize multiple cards / passports simultaneously, on the order of hundreds or thousands per hour. For convenience, the machine using the tape supply roll 50 may be described as a plastic card personalization machine, which is intended to include machines that personalize cards as well as passports and other identification documents.

[0024] Band 54 can be any band, and this band includes carrier film and the transferable material arranged on carrier film, is used for plastic card or passport personalization machine, and needs to be replaced from time to time.Examples of band 54 include but are not limited to printing band, retransfer film, laminating band, topcoat band, holographic film, embossed character tip cover / top cover (tipping / topping) foil, embossed foil and other consumables with carrier film and transferable material on carrier film.The general construction of printing band, retransfer film, laminating band, topcoat band, holographic film, embossed character tip cover / top cover foil, embossed foil and other consumables with transferable material on carrier film and carrier film used in plastic card or passport personalization machine is well known in the art.As used in this article, band, foil and film are intended to refer to similar structures.For printing band, printing band can be monochrome (i.e. single color) band or band with multiple discrete color panels, for example YMCK printing band, YMCKT printing band, YMCKT-KT printing band etc. including yellow, magenta, cyan and black panels. The material capable of being transferred from the tape 54 can be any material or combination of materials that can be transferred from the tape to a plastic card or passport in a plastic card or passport personalization machine, including but not limited to inks, dyes, topcoat materials, overlay materials, print receiving materials for retransfer tapes, clear / transparent laminates, holographic patches, and other materials.

[0025] Figure 3 An example of a plastic card 60 that can be personalized using a tape supply roll 50 is shown. Unless otherwise specified, the term "plastic card" used in the specification and claims refers to a card whose card base can be formed entirely of plastic or a combination of plastic and non-plastic materials. The card 60 can also be formed partially or entirely of a biodegradable material, whereby the card 60 can be partially biodegradable or fully biodegradable. In this example, the card 60 is shown as including a front surface 62, a rear surface or back surface (not visible) opposite the front surface 62, and a peripheral edge 64 that defines the card 60. The card 60 includes various personal data 66, an optional integrated circuit chip 68, and an optional magnetic stripe 70 located on the card (e.g., on the rear surface). Continued reference Figure 3 , the personal data 66 in this example can be a photo of the intended cardholder, a personal account number, a CVV number, and the cardholder's name. Some or all of the personal data 66 can be printed on the card 60, such as using retransfer printing or direct-to-card thermal printing.

[0026] Figure 4An example of a passport 80 (also called a passport booklet) is shown that can be personalized using a tape supply roll 50. The passport 80 includes a plurality of sheets including a front cover, a back cover, and a plurality of intermediate sheets between the front cover and the back cover. The sheets are bound, such as by sewing a seam along one edge to form a spine 82. The edge 84 of the sheet opposite the spine 82 and the opposite side edges 86, 88 are not bound. One of the pages of the passport 80 is called a data page, which contains personal information of the intended passport holder, including the name of the person, an image of the passport holder, a passport number, and other data.

[0027] Figure 5 and Figure 6 An example mechanical arrangement of an identification document processing system that may utilize one or more tape supply rolls 50 described herein is shown. Figure 5 A plastic card personalization machine 90 is depicted as being configured as a desktop printer for processing plastic cards. In other embodiments, the machine 90 may be configured as a desktop printer for processing passports. Figure 5 In the present invention, the system 90 is configured with: a card input end 92, which can accommodate multiple cards waiting to be processed; a card output end 94 located at the same end of the machine 90, which is configured to accommodate multiple processed cards or simply an output slot; an optional chip programming station 96, which programs the embedded integrated circuit chip in the card; an optional magnetic stripe encoding station 98, which encodes the magnetic stripe on the card; a printing station 100; an optional flipper 102, which flips the card 180 degrees; and an optional laminating station 104, which applies a protective laminate to the card. The tape supply roll described herein can be used, for example, in the printing station 100 and / or the laminating station 104. Other arrangements of desktop card printers are known and can be used with the machine 90. Additional information regarding the construction and operation of one example of a desktop card printer is disclosed in US 9904876, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0028] Figure 6A plastic card personalization machine 110 configured as a central issuing machine is depicted that simultaneously processes a plurality of plastic cards in a plurality of stations or modules, wherein each card generally travels through the machine 110 in the direction of arrow A (i.e., the card transport direction). The machine 110 includes: a card input 112; an optional chip programming station 114 that simultaneously programs embedded integrated circuit chips in a plurality of cards; an optional magnetic stripe encoding station 116 that simultaneously encodes magnetic stripes on a plurality of cards; a printing station 118; an optional embossing station 120 for producing embossed characters on the cards and optionally applying colorant to the tips of the embossed characters using a tip cover / top cover foil; an indentation station 122 for forming indented characters on the cards and optionally applying colorant into the indented characters using an indentation foil; a topcoat station 124 for applying a protective topcoat to the cards; and a card output 126. The tape supply rolls described herein may be used, for example, in a printing station 118, an embossing station 120, a creasing station 122, a topcoat station 124, or a laminating station. Other arrangements of central issuers are known and may be used with the machine 110. Additional information regarding the construction and operation of one example of a central issuer is disclosed in US 6902107, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0029] Reference now Figure 7 and Figure 8 , depicting the new splicing tape 150 described herein. Figure 7 The splicing tape 150 is depicted with respect to a first section 152 of tape and a second section 154 of tape to be interconnected by the splicing tape 150 . Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 8-8 in FIG. 1 . To explain the construction of the splicing tape 150, Figure 8 The thickness of the components in the figure is exaggerated.

[0030] Splicing tape 150 includes a backing film 156 and a PSA 158 located on the backing film 156. The backing film 156 and the PSA 158 can be formed of any material suitable for performing the functions of the backing film 156 and the PSA 158. For example, the backing film 156 can be a polymer film, such as polyester, polyimide, polypropylene, etc. For example, the backing film 156 can be a 92 gauge polyester film. The PSA 158 can be a high viscosity PSA, and in one embodiment can have properties, such as adhesive properties and high enough opacity to trigger a photocell, similar to 3M 850 black tape that can be purchased from 3M Company in St. Paul, Minnesota. The thickness T of the splicing tape can be, for example, less than or equal to 3M 850 black tape (i.e., less than or equal to about 1.9 milli-inches (mil) or 0.05 mm). However, thicker splicing tapes can be used. If one or both of the tapes 152, 154 are transparent to infrared light, the backing film 156 and / or PSA 158 may be opaque to infrared light. Conversely, if one or both of the tapes 152, 154 are opaque to infrared light, the backing film 156 and / or PSA 158 may be transparent to infrared light or opaque to infrared light.

[0031] Continue to refer Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the backing film 156 has a length L defined between the opposite end edges 160a, 160b and a width W defined between the opposite side edges 162a, 162b. In one embodiment, the length L can be about 1.90 cm (about 0.75 inches) to about 3.81 cm (about 1.50 inches), or about 2.54 cm (about 1.00 inches) to about 3.18 cm (about 1.25 inches), or the length L can be about 2.80 cm (about 1.10 inches). The width W can be substantially equal to the width of each section 152, 154 of the belt. In one embodiment, the width W can be about 5.79 cm (about 2.28 inches), or about 5.71 cm (about 2.25 inches), or about 2.79 cm (about 1.10 inches). However, many other lengths L and widths W are also possible.

[0032] The PSA 158 is disposed on the backing film 156 in such a manner that when the tape sections 152, 154 are interconnected by the splicing tape 150 and wound into a supply roll, the PSA 158 does not flow or extend beyond at least the end edges 160a, 160b of the backing film 156. In an alternative embodiment, the PSA 158 is further configured so that it also does not flow or extend beyond the side edges 162a, 162b of the backing film 156. Figure 7 and Figure 8As depicted, PSA 158 does not cover the entire surface area of ​​backing film 156. Such partial coverage of the surface area of ​​backing film 156 by PSA 158 may be referred to as an area-coated PSA or an area-coated splicing tape.

[0033] For example, a gap 164a (also referred to as end gap 164a) is provided between PSA 158 and end edge 160a, and a gap 164b (also referred to as end gap 164b) is provided between PSA 158 and end edge 160b. In an embodiment, PSA 158 may have a length L psa , the length can be, for example, about 2.29 cm to about 2.79 cm (about 0.90 inches to about 1.10 inches), or about 2.41 cm to about 2.67 cm (about 0.95 inches to about 1.05 inches), or about 2.54 cm (about 1.00 inches). The gaps 164a, 164b can have the same value, or they can have different values. In an embodiment, the gaps 164a, 164b can each be at least about 0.0254 cm to about 0.635 cm (about 0.01 inches to about 0.25 inches), or at least about 0.0762 cm to about 0.432 cm (about 0.03 inches to 0.17 inches). In one embodiment, the gaps 164a, 164b can each be about 0.076 cm (about 0.030 inches). Each of the gaps 164a, 164b may also be about 1% to about 5% of the length L of the backing film 156, or about 2% to about 4% of the length L of the backing film 156, or about 3% to about 3.5% of the length L of the backing film 156. In another embodiment, one or both of the gaps may be as much as about 20% of the length L of the backing film 156.

[0034] In an alternative embodiment, if Figure 7 As shown, there may be a gap 166a (also referred to as side gap 166a) between PSA 158 and side edge 162a, and there may be a gap 166b (also referred to as side gap 166b) between PSA 158 and side edge 162b. As described in further detail below, gaps 164a, 164b (and optional gaps 166a, 166b) allow PSA 158 to flow under pressure when wound into a tape supply roll. However, PSA 158 does not flow beyond edges 160a, 160b (and optional edges 162a, 162b). In another embodiment, PSA 158 extends to side edges 162a, 162b without side gaps.

[0035] Back to Figure 7, the first section 152 and the second section 154 of the tape can be any tape used in a plastic card or passport personalization machine. For example, the first section 152 of the tape can be a printed tape, a retransfer film, a laminated tape, a topcoat tape, a holographic film, an embossed character tip / top foil, an indented foil, a trailing film, or a leader film. The second section 154 of the tape can be a printed tape, a retransfer film, a laminated tape, a topcoat tape, a holographic film, an embossed character tip / top foil, an indented foil, a trailing film, or a leader film.

[0036] Figure 9-10 An example of a splicing tape 150 is shown that interconnects a first section 152 of tape and a second section 154 of tape. Figures 9 and 10 In order to better illustrate the concept, the relative thickness of the splicing tape 150 and its parts relative to the thickness of the band sections 152, 154 is greatly exaggerated. In this example, band 152 is depicted as a printing tape, which includes a carrier film 170 and a transferable material, which is in the form of a separate ink / dye panel 172a to 172d and an optional topcoat material panel 172e, which is arranged on the carrier film 170 for applying color and / or topcoat to a plastic card or a passport. For example, band 152 can be a YMCKT printing tape, a YMCK printing tape, a YMCKT-KT printing tape or any other panel combination known in the art. However, band 152 can be a monochrome tape comprising a single transferable color material. Band 154 is depicted as a tail film without any transferable material thereon for starting to wrap band 152 around the core.

[0037] Figure 9-10 Two continuous wraps 174a, 174b of a supply roll formed of tape segments 152, 154 are shown, with wrap 174b being radially outward of and wrapped around wrap 174a. Wrap 174a includes a first segment 152 of tape interconnected at a joint 176 with a second segment 154 of tape by a splicing tape 150. Wrap 174b is a continuation of the first segment 152 of tape wrapped around wrap 174a, with a number of additional wraps (not shown) corresponding to the first segment 152 of tape being wrapped around wrap 174b to form a supply roll of printing tape.

[0038] Fig. 9 It is shown that portions 178a, 178b of PSA 158 may flow or ooze out due to the pressure applied to the splicing tape 150 by the wrap layer 174b and subsequent wrap layers. However, the flowed portions 178a, 178b do not extend beyond the end edges of the backing film 156. Therefore, none of the PSA 158 adheres to any of the transferable materials 172a to 172e of the wrap layer 174b. Fig.10When the section of wrap 174b is needed and unwound from splicing tape 150, no portion of transferable material 172a to 172e will peel off from wrap 174b and no voids will be formed.

[0039] Fig.11 Another exemplary use of a splicing tape 150 is shown, which interconnects a first section 180 of tape and a second section 182 of tape at a joint 184. In this example, both tape sections 180, 182 are depicted as printed tapes, which may have the same Figures 9 and 10 In this example, the splicing tape 150 is used to interconnect two printed tapes 180, 182, so that the printed tape 180 forms a continuation of the printed tape 182, or vice versa.

[0040] Fig.12 Another exemplary use of a splicing tape 150 is shown interconnecting a first section 186 of tape and a second section 188 of tape at a joint 190. In this example, the tape sections 186, 188 are each depicted as tapes that each include a carrier film 192 and a single transferable material 194. The transferable material 194 can be an ink or dye colorant, such as a single-color printed tape, a tip / top foil, or an embossed foil; or a non-colorant transferable material, such as a transferable print receiving layer of a retransfer film, a transferable laminate of a laminate tape, a transferable protective topcoat of a topcoat tape, or a transferable holographic patch of a holographic film.

[0041] Although the drawings and description disclose the tape as having a single layer of transferable material, the tape described herein may include multiple transferable layers. For example, in the case of a retransfer film, the retransfer film may include a transferable print receiving layer and a layer forming a protective layer, which are simultaneously transferred to a plastic card or passport after printing an image on the print receiving layer.

[0042] The examples disclosed in this application should be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description; and all changes within the equivalent meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be encompassed therein.

Claims

1. A tape supply roll for a plastic card or passport personalisation machine, the tape supply roll comprising: core; a tape, said tape being wound on said core, at least a portion of said tape comprising a carrier film and a transferable material disposed on said carrier film, wherein said transferable material is adapted to be transferred from said carrier film to a plastic card or a passport in said plastic card or passport personalization machine; A splicing tape is disposed along the length of the tape and interconnects two initially separate sections of the tape, the splicing tape comprising a backing film and a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the backing film and not extending beyond an edge of the backing film.

2. The tape supply roll of claim 1, wherein the tape comprises a printed tape, a retransfer film, a laminated tape, a topcoat tape, a holographic film, an embossed character tip / top foil, or an embossed foil.

3. The tape supply roll of claim 1, wherein the tape comprises a multi-color printed tape or a single-color printed tape.

4. The tape supply roll of claim 1, wherein the transferable material comprises a thermal transferable material.

5. The tape supply roll of claim 4, wherein the thermally transferable material comprises an ink, a dye, a protective topcoat material, or a retransfer material.

6. The tape supply roll of claim 1 wherein one of the two initially separated sections does not include the transferable material.

7. The tape supply reel of claim 6, wherein the one section is the trailing tape or the leading tape.

8. The tape supply roll of claim 1 wherein the transferable material is disposed on a first side of the carrier film and the splicing tape is disposed on a second side of the carrier film.

9. A method of forming a tape supply roll for a plastic card or passport personalisation machine, the method comprising: interconnecting a first section of tape and a second section of tape using a splicing tape, at least one of the first section of tape and the second section of tape comprising a carrier film and a transferable material disposed on the carrier film, wherein the transferable material is suitable for transfer from the carrier film to a plastic card or a passport in the plastic card or passport personalization machine, the splicing tape comprising a backing film and a pressure sensitive adhesive on the backing film, with a gap between the pressure sensitive adhesive and an edge of the backing film; The interconnected first section of tape and the second section of tape are wound onto a core.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the tape supply roll comprises a printed tape, a retransfer film, a laminated tape, a topcoat tape, a holographic film, an embossed character tip / top foil, or an embossed foil.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the tape supply roll comprises a multi-color printing tape or a single-color printing tape.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the transferable material comprises a thermal transferable material.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the thermally transferable material comprises an ink, a dye, a protective topcoat material, or a retransfer material.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein one of the first section of the belt and the second section of the belt does not include the transferable material.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the first partial tape and the second partial tape each include a carrier film and a transferable material disposed on the carrier film.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the section of the first section of the belt and the second section of the belt that does not include the transferable material is a trailing belt or a leading belt.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the transferable material is disposed on a first side of the carrier film and the splicing tape is disposed on a second side of the carrier film.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein the gap is located between an end edge of the pressure sensitive adhesive and an end edge of the backing film.

19. An identity document processing system comprising: Plastic card or passport personalization machines; as well as At least one tape supply reel as claimed in claim 1 is installed in said plastic card or passport personalisation machine.

20. An identity document processing system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the plastic card or passport personalisation machine is a desktop machine or a central issuing machine.

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