Personalized identification certificate processing system and method

Abstract

A personalized identification document processing system includes a printing station including a thermal printhead and a print strip engageable by the thermal printhead to thermally transfer material from the print strip to personalize a plastic identification document. The print tape includes a repeating sequence of panels of a heat-transferable material, where each panel sequence includes: at least one panel of a heat-transferable color material followed by at least one panel of a heat-transferable radiation-curable protective topcoat material. In a printing process, a color material and a top coating material are applied to the plastic identification document, where the top coating material is applied on at least a portion of the color material. The top coat material is then cured and once cured, the top coat material enhances the durability of the color material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present technical disclosure relates to processing personalized plastic identification documents, such as personalized plastic cards and plastic pages of passports, and to improving the durability of print on the personalized plastic identification documents. Background Art

[0002] Identification documents such as identification cards / ID cards, credit and debit cards, driver's licenses, etc. and passports are personalized with information about the intended holder of the identification document and then issued to the intended holder. In order to extend the life of the identification document, the durability of the print applied to the identification document is important. Summary of the invention

[0003] A personalized identification document processing system and method is described that produces personalized plastic identification documents with highly durable print while minimizing waste of print swaths and maintaining document processing speed and system throughput.

[0004] In one embodiment, a personalized identification document processing system described herein includes a printing station including a thermal print head and a print ribbon that can be engaged by the thermal print head to thermally transfer material from the print ribbon to personalize a plastic identification document. The print ribbon includes a thermally transferable radiation-curable protective topcoat material that is dry to the touch or substantially dry to the touch. The topcoat material is applied to the plastic identification document during a printing process, wherein the topcoat material is applied over at least a portion of a color material previously printed on the document. The topcoat material is then cured, and once cured, enhances the durability of the printed color material.

[0005] In another embodiment, a first printing station is provided that prints a thermally transferable color material from a print swath, and a second printing station is provided that prints a thermally transferable radiation curable protective topcoat material from a second print swath.

[0006] Radiation curing of the coating increases the toughness of the coating. If the top coating material is fully cured before being transferred from the print strip to the identification document, the top coating material will not break cleanly around the edge of the identification document, resulting in undesirable additional material being transferred along the edge of the identification document. One way to prevent this additional material from being transferred is to reduce the thickness of the cured top coating material so that it is not too tough. However, the reduced thickness also reduces the overall durability of the print below the top coating material. In order to overcome this defect, the top coating material described herein is first transferred to the identification document before being radiation cured. The uncured top coating material is not too tough and can be cleanly transferred to the identification document even at the desired higher thickness without transferring undesirable additional material. The transferred top coating material on the identification document is then radiation cured to enhance its toughness and durability. This method results in a clean transfer of the top coating material while maintaining the desired durability of the final printed identification document.

[0007] In one embodiment, a personalized identification document processing system includes a document input device and a printing station along a document transport path, wherein the document input device is configured to input a plastic identification document to be processed onto the document transport path to create a personalized plastic identification document. The printing station includes a thermal print head and a print strip, wherein the print strip can be engaged by the thermal print head to thermally transfer material from the print strip to personalize the plastic identification document. The print strip includes a thermally transferable radiation-curable protective top coating material, wherein the thermally transferable radiation-curable protective top coating material is dry to the touch or substantially dry to the touch. A radiation curing station is along the document transport path, and the radiation curing station is configured to apply radiation to the thermally transferable radiation-curable protective top coating material applied from the print strip to the plastic identification document to cure the thermally transferable radiation-curable protective top coating material on the plastic identification document. The system also includes a document output device along the document transport path, the document output device being configured to receive the plastic identification document; and a document transport mechanism being configured to transport the plastic identification document along the document transport path.

[0008] In another embodiment, a method of processing a plastic identification document in a personalized identification document processing system includes: inputting a plastic identification document to be processed onto a document transport path; and transporting the plastic identification document to a printing station positioned along the document transport path. The printing station includes a thermal print head and a print ribbon, the print ribbon being engageable by the thermal print head to thermally transfer material from the print ribbon to personalize the plastic identification document, wherein the print ribbon includes a thermally transferable radiation-curable protective topcoat material that is dry to the touch or substantially dry to the touch. The thermally transferable radiation-curable protective topcoat material is applied from the print ribbon to the plastic identification document, wherein at least some of the applied thermally transferable radiation-curable protective topcoat material overlaps color material previously applied to the document. Then, the plastic identification document is transported to a radiation curing station along the document transport path, and radiation is applied to the applied thermal transferable radiation curable protective top coating material to cure the applied thermal transferable radiation curable protective top coating material. Then, the plastic identification document is transported to a document output device, and the plastic identification document is output.

[0009] The identification document described herein can be a personalized plastic identification card or a plastic page of a passport. The personalized plastic identification card described herein includes, but is not limited to: a financial card (e.g., a credit card, a debit card, etc.), a visit card, a driver's license, a national identification card, and a commercial identification card, as well as other plastic identification cards that can benefit from having a highly durable print as described herein. In one embodiment, the plastic identification card can be an ID-1 card defined by ISO / IEC 7810. However, other card formats such as ID-2 defined by ISO / IEC 7810 are also possible. A passport page can be the front or back cover of a passport, or an inner page of a passport (e.g., a plastic page referred to as a data page). In one embodiment, a passport can be in the ID-3 format defined by ISO / IEC 7810. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 An example of a personalized credential processing system as described herein is schematically depicted.

[0011] Figure 2 Another example of a personalized document processing system as described herein is schematically depicted.

[0012] Figure 3A is a view of an example of the front surface of a personalized plastic document in the form of a plastic card.

[0013] Figure 3B is a view of an example of a rear surface of a personalized plastic document in the form of a plastic card.

[0014] Figure 4 An example of a printing station for a personalized document processing system is depicted.

[0015] Figure 5 Another example of a printing station for a personalized document processing system is depicted.

[0016] Figure 6 Yes, you can Figure 4 and Figure 5 A top view of a portion of a print strip used in a print station of FIG.

[0017] Figure 7 It is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7.

[0018] Figure 8 Yes, you can Figure 4 and Figure 5 A top view of a portion of another embodiment of a print ribbon for use in a print station of FIG.

[0019] Fig. 9 Yes, you can Figure 4 and Figure 5 A top view of a portion of another embodiment of a print ribbon for use in a print station of FIG.

[0020] Fig.10 A method of processing a plastic document in a personalized document processing system as described herein is schematically depicted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Two examples of personalized identification document processing systems that can be used to produce personalized plastic identification documents are illustrated. The system outputs personalized plastic identification documents with highly durable prints on them. The identification documents include personalized plastic identification cards or plastic pages of passports. The personalized plastic identification cards described herein 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, as well as other plastic identification cards that can benefit from adding one or more security features described herein to plastic cards. In one embodiment, the plastic identification card can be an ID-1 card defined by ISO / IEC 7810. However, other card formats such as ID-2 defined by ISO / IEC 7810 are also possible. The passport page can be the front or back cover of a passport, or an internal page of a passport (e.g., a plastic page called a data page). In one embodiment, the passport can be in the ID-3 format defined by ISO / IEC 7810.

[0022] For ease of describing the concepts herein, the following description and accompanying drawings describe the identification document as a plastic card. However, as mentioned above, the technology described herein is applicable to the plastic page of a passport.

[0023] Unless otherwise specified, the term "plastic identification document" or "plastic identification card" used throughout the specification and claims refers to an identification document such as a plastic card, wherein the document substrate may be formed entirely of plastic, or a combination of plastic and non-plastic materials. In one embodiment, the card may be sized to comply with ISO / IEC 7810, which is approximately 85.60 mm by approximately 53.98 mm (approximately 3 3 ⁄8 inch × approx. 2 1 ⁄8 inches), and the rounded corners have a radius of about 2.88 mm to 3.48 mm (approx. 1 ⁄8 inch) radius. Those of ordinary skill in the art of plastic identification cards will appreciate that the cards are typically formed from multiple individual layers that form the bulk of the card body or card substrate. Similarly, the term "plastic page" of a passport refers to a passport page, where the passport may be formed entirely of plastic, or from a combination of plastic and non-plastic materials. An example of a plastic passport page is the data page in a passport that contains the personal data of the intended passport holder. A passport page may be a single layer, or comprised of multiple layers. Examples of plastic materials that may form a card or passport page, or individual layers of a card or passport, include, but are not limited to: polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), TESLIN ® , combinations thereof, and other plastics. In one embodiment, the card or passport page may be primarily formed of a biodegradable material, such as one or more biodegradable plastics, paper / cardboard, or (one or more) other biodegradable materials. In one embodiment, the card may be a metal card formed partially or entirely of metal.

[0024] As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the term "processing" (etc.) used throughout the specification and claims is intended to encompass operations performed on a card, including operations that result in personalizing the card as well as operations that do not result in personalizing the card. An example of a processing operation that personalizes the card is printing the cardholder's image or name on the card. An example of a processing operation that does not personalize the card is applying a laminate to the card or printing non-cardholder graphics on the card. The term "personalized" is commonly used in the card industry to refer to cards that undergo both personalizing processing operations and non-personalizing processing operations.

[0025] Figure 1is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a document processing system 10 that can be used to process high-volume, batch production of plastic identification cards (and passports) as described herein. The document processing system 10 is configured to process multiple documents simultaneously, wherein the documents are processed sequentially, with the documents generally traveling along a document transport direction / conveying path X. Figure 1 The type of system 10 depicted in is generally referred to as a central issue processing system that processes documents at a high volume (e.g., on the order of hundreds or thousands per hour) and employs multiple processing stations or modules to process multiple documents simultaneously to reduce the overall processing time for each document. Examples of such high volume document processing machines include the MX and MPR series of central issue processing machines available from Entrust Corporation of Shakopee, Minnesota. Other examples of central issue processing machines are disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,825,054, 5,266,781, 6,783,067, and 6,902,107, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0026] Figure 1 The system 10 in the embodiment of the present invention may include a document input device 12, one or more optional document processing stations 14 downstream of the document input device 12, a printing station 16, a radiation curing station 18, one or more optional additional document processing stations 20, and a document output device 22. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the system 10 may include additional processing stations.

[0027] The document input device 12 can be configured to hold a plurality of plastic cards or passports waiting to be processed, and the document input device 12 mechanically feeds the documents one by one into the system 10 using a suitable document feeder. In one embodiment, the document input device 12 can be an input bin. In another embodiment, the document input device 12 can be an input slot through which individual documents are manually or automatically fed for processing. If the documents are present in the system, the documents are initially introduced into one or more optional document processing stations 14. Station 14 (if present) can include a chip test / programming device that is configured to perform contact or non-contact testing of the integrated circuit chip on each document to test the functionality of the chip, as well as programming the chip. Testing the functionality of the chip can include reading data from the chip and / or writing data to the chip. In one embodiment, the chip test / programming device can be configured to program the chips on multiple cards simultaneously. The construction and operation of the chip test / programming device in the document processing system are known in the art. Station 14 may also include a magnetic stripe read / write test device (when the documents are cards) configured to read data from a magnetic stripe on each card, and / or encode data on a magnetic stripe on each card (if the cards include a magnetic stripe). The construction and operation of magnetic stripe read / write test devices in document processing systems are known in the art.

[0028] Print station 16 may be any type of thermal printing mechanism that can print using the print ribbon described herein. For example, print station 16 may be configured to perform direct-to-card thermal transfer printing (described below in Figure 4 ) or retransfer printing (described further in Figure 5 described further in ).

[0029] In one embodiment, two or more printing stations 16 may be provided, one printing station 16 performing color printing (monochrome or multicolor) as further described below, and another printing station 16 performing printing of a top coating as further described below. Figure 1In the embodiment of the present invention, the printing station for color printing can be the printing station described with dotted lines, and the printing station for printing top coating can be the printing station described with solid lines. Printing station 16 can be arranged one by one in the system, wherein the printing station 16 for color printing has the printing station for printing top coating subsequently, or the printing station 16 can be separated from each other by one or more intermediate mechanisms, and this intermediate mechanism is for example a curing station, such as the curing station 18 described below. In addition, a curing station such as a curing station 18 can be associated with each printing station in the printing station, for example, associated in the following order: for example, a printing station for printing color, has a curing station subsequently, has a top coating printing station subsequently, and has another curing station subsequently. However, other arrangements are also possible, and for example, two printing stations can share the same curing station. In addition, the separated strips and the separated printheads that are a part of the same printing station can be used to print color material and top coating.

[0030] The curing station 18 is configured to generate radiation (e.g., ultraviolet radiation or other radiation) and apply the radiation to the radiation-curable material (e.g., a radiation-curable top coating material) applied to the card in the printing station 16 to cure the radiation-curable material. The curing station 18 may include a curing light that includes at least one radiation source or radiation emitter that emits radiation. In one embodiment, the curing light may be formed by one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit UV light. Additional examples of radiation sources include, but are not limited to, one or more xenon pulse light sources, one or more high pressure lamps, and other radiation sources. An example of a mechanism that can generate and apply curing radiation in a card personalization system is a DATACARD SYSTEM available from Entrust Corporation of Shakopee, Minnesota. ® MX 8100 TM A radiation applicator used in a card issuance system.

[0031] The one or more additional document processing stations 20 may be stations configured to perform any type of additional document processing. Examples of additional document processing stations 20 include, but are not limited to, an embossing station having an embosser configured to emboss characters on a document, an imprinting station having an imprinter configured to stamp one or more characters on a document, a laminating station having a laminator configured to apply one or more laminates to a document, a security station having a security feature applicator configured to apply one or more additional security features to one or more surfaces of a document, and one or more document redirecting mechanisms / flippers configured to rotate or flip a document 180 degrees for processing on both sides of the document.

[0032] The document output device 22 can be configured to hold multiple documents after they have been processed. In this configuration, the document output device 22 is generally referred to as a document output bin. The construction and operation of the output bin are known in the art. In another embodiment, the document output device 22 can be an output slot.

[0033] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a document processing system 30 that can be used to process plastic cards (or passports). In this embodiment, the card processing system 30 can be configured as a desktop card processing system that is typically designed for relatively small-scale, relatively low-volume individual card personalization, such as measured in the tens or low hundreds per hour, typically when a single card is processed at any one time. These card processing machines are often referred to as desktop processing machines because they have a relatively small footprint designed to allow the processing machine to reside on a desktop. Many examples of desktop processing machines are known, such as the SIGMA desktop card printer available from Entrust Corporation of Shakopee, Minnesota. TM and ARTISTA TM Other examples of desktop processing machines are disclosed in U.S. Patents 7,434,728 and 7,398,972, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0034] exist Figure 2 In the present invention, the same reference numerals are used to refer to components that are similar in structure or function. Figure 1 The elements in system 10 are similar to the elements in system 30. Figure 2 In FIG. 1 , the system 30 is illustrated as including a document input device 12 and a document output device 22 at one end of the system 30. Figure 2 In the type of system depicted, the document input device 12 and / or the document output device 22 may be disposed at other locations in the system 30. For example, in one embodiment, the document input device 12 may be located at a higher position in the system, such as at the top of the system above the conveying path X between the ends of the system 30. Figure 2 In another embodiment depicted by the dashed lines in FIG. 3 , the credential input device 12 and the credential output device 22 may be located at opposite ends of the system 30 .

[0035] One or more optional document processing stations 14, printing stations 16 and curing stations 18 may be used in Figure 2 As shown and as above for Figure 1The described manner is arranged relative to each other. In one embodiment, a card flipper 32 can be provided at the end of the system 30, which is configured to flip or rotate the card 180 degrees so that the card surface that was previously facing upward is now facing downward, and the card surface that was previously facing downward is now facing upward. The card is then transported back to the curing station 18, the printing station 16 and other processing stations in reverse order for additional processing on the card surface that is now facing upward, and ultimately transported to the output device 22. If the card flipper 32 is not present, the card can be simply reversed after curing in the curing station 18 is completed, and the card is ultimately transported to the output device 22.

[0036] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the system 10, 30 in the embodiment of the present invention, the document can be conveyed throughout the system 10, 30 and moved along the document conveying path X by one or more suitable mechanical document conveying mechanisms (not shown). The (one or more) mechanical document conveying mechanisms for conveying cards and passports in the document processing equipment of the type described herein are known in the art. Examples of mechanical document conveying mechanisms that can be used are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: conveyor rollers, conveyor belts (with tabs and / or without tabs), vacuum conveying mechanisms, conveyor brackets, etc., and combinations thereof. Conveying mechanisms for plastic cards are known in the art, including those disclosed in U.S. Patents 6902107, 5837991, 6131817 and 4995501 and U.S. Published Application No. 2007 / 0187870, which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand the (one or more) types of document conveying mechanisms that can be used and the construction and operation of such document conveying mechanisms.

[0037] Figure 3A and Figure 3B An example of a plastic card 40 is illustrated. In this example, the card 40 is shown to include a front or first surface 42 ( Figure 3A ) and a rear surface, back surface or second surface 44 ( Figure 3B Card 40 may be printed on only one side (referred to as single-sided printing), such as front surface 42 or back surface 44, or on both sides (referred to as double-sided printing), such as front surface 42 and back surface 44.

[0038] Many possible layouts of the front surface 42 are possible. For example, the front surface 42 may include a horizontal card layout, a vertical card layout, and other known layout configurations and orientations. Figure 3AIn the illustrated example, the front surface 42 may include various printed cardholder data, such as a printed portrait image 46, a cardholder name 48, and account information, such as an account number, an expiration date, etc. The front surface 42 may also include other printed data, such as printed information 50 of the entity that issued the card 40, such as the company name and / or logo of the issuing bank (e.g., STATE BANK), and / or printed information 52 of the card brand name (e.g., VISA ® 、MASTERCARD ® 、DISCOVER ® The front surface 42 may also include a contact or contactless integrated circuit chip 54 that may store various data associated with the card 40, such as the cardholder's account number and / or name.

[0039] refer to Figure 3B Many possible layouts of the back surface 44 are possible, which may or may not have a similar layout to the front surface 18. For example, the back surface 44 may include a horizontal card layout, a vertical card layout, and other known layout configurations and orientations. Figure 3B In the illustrated example, the rear surface 44 may include: a magnetic stripe 56 that stores various data related to the card 40 (e.g., the cardholder's account number or name), a signature panel 58 that provides a place for the cardholder to sign their name, and a hologram. The magnetic stripe 56, signature panel 58, and hologram are conventional elements found on many plastic cards. The rear surface 44 may also include printed personal data that is unique to the cardholder or specifically assigned to the cardholder. For example, the account number 60 assigned to the cardholder, the cardholder's name, and the expiration date 62 of the card may be printed on the rear surface 44. Other personal cardholder data may also be printed on the rear surface 44, such as an image of the cardholder's face. Non-personal data such as the name of the issuing bank, contact information for contacting the issuing bank, etc. may also be printed on the rear surface 44.

[0040] Some or all of the print on the front surface 42 and / or the print on the rear surface 44 overlap at least partially or completely with a radiation curable material that is applied from a print strip in the print station 16 together with the color material that forms the print. Once the radiation curable material is cured, the durability (e.g., wear resistance, chemical resistance, and adhesion) of the print is increased or enhanced compared to the durability of the print that is not overlapped with the radiation curable material. The enhanced durability is sufficient to allow the plastic card 40 to be issued to the cardholder without applying a protective laminate or coating on the entire front surface 42 and / or the entire rear surface 44. In other words, the front surface 42 and / or the rear surface 44 may not have or be without a protective laminate or coating covering the entire front surface 42 and / or covering the entire rear surface 44. However, in one embodiment, a protective laminate or coating may be applied to cover the entire front surface 18 and / or the entire rear surface 20.

[0041] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The diagram shows that Figure 1 and Figure 2 Examples of printing stations 16 used in systems 10, 30. Figure 4 , the print station 16 is configured as a direct-to-card thermal transfer printer having a tape supply 70 that supplies a thermal transfer print tape 72 and a tape take-up 74 that takes up a used portion of the thermal transfer print tape 72 after printing. The print tape 72 is transferred along a tape path between the tape supply 70 and the tape take-up 74, passing a thermal print head 76 that can move toward and away from an opposing fixed platen 78 so as to sandwich the print tape 72 and the card 40 between the thermal print head 76 and the platen 78 during printing. Alternatively, the platen 78 can move toward and away from the print head 76, which is stationary. A conventional card transport mechanism (e.g., a transport roller) can be used to transport the card 40 through the print station 16 along a transport direction D in a forward direction and a reverse direction. The general construction and operation of a thermal transfer print station is known in the art. The curing station 18 is depicted as being downstream of the printing station 16, such that after printing, the cards 40 are transported to the curing station 18 for curing. In another embodiment, the curing station 18 may be located upstream of the printing station 16, or the curing station 18 may be incorporated into the printing station 16 and may be considered a part of the printing station 16. In another embodiment, in the case of a desktop card processing machine, the curing station 18 may be a modular unit that is attached to the desktop card processing machine as an add-on or upgrade mechanism, such as to one end of the desktop card processing machine.

[0042] refer to Figure 5, the printing station 16 is configured as a retransfer printer that performs retransfer printing on plastic cards 40. The general construction of retransfer printing and retransfer card printers is known in the art. In this example, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same components as those of the present invention. Figure 5 The same or similar elements as those in the printing station 16 in FIG. Figure 5 The printing station 16 in the embodiment includes a printing ribbon supply 70, a printing ribbon 72, a printing ribbon take-up device 74, a thermal print head 76 and a roller 78.

[0043] exist Figure 2 In the print station 16 of FIG. 1 , instead of printing directly on the plastic card 40, printing is initially performed on the transferable material of a retransfer strip 80. The retransfer strip 80 includes at least a carrier film having a transferable material (also referred to as a print receiving layer) thereon. The retransfer strip 80 is supplied from a retransfer strip supply 82, and the used retransfer strip is wound onto a retransfer strip take-up 84. The retransfer strip 80 follows a path past the print head 76, where printing is performed on the transferable material of the retransfer strip 80. The retransfer strip 80 having print thereon is then advanced to a transfer station 86, where the transferable material having print thereon is transferred from the retransfer strip 80 and laminated onto the card 40 using a heated transfer roller 88 and a drum 90. After the transfer of the transferable material having print, the used retransfer strip 80 is wound onto the take-up 84. The cards may be transported within the printing station 16 using transport rollers 92 or other transport mechanisms.

[0044] and Figure 4 and Figure 5 The thermal transfer print ribbon 72 (or just print ribbon 72) used with the print station 16 in the embodiment of the present invention comprises a repeating panel sequence of thermal transferable material, each panel sequence comprising at least one panel of thermal transferable color material, which may be a dye-based ink or a pigment ink, followed by at least one panel of thermal transferable radiation-curable protective top coating material for forming a print on the plastic card 40. The print ribbon 72 may be referred to as a panelized print ribbon. In one embodiment, the thermal transferable color material may also be radiation-curable.

[0045] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , which illustrates the Figure 4 and Figure 5 Specific example of a thermal transfer printing ribbon 72 for use with the printing station 16 in FIG. The ribbon 72 includes a carrier film 100 ( Figure 7) and a repeated panel sequence of heat transferable materials, wherein each panel sequence includes a color panel 102a of cyan (C), a color panel 102b of magenta (M), a color panel 102c of yellow (Y), and a color panel 102d of black (K). The material forming the color panels can be a pigment ink, a dye-based ink, or other colorant material. Each panel sequence also includes at least one panel 102e of a heat transferable radiation-curable protective top coating material (T). Each panel sequence may optionally include (one or more) panels 102f of a primer (P) material, and / or a panel of a fluorescent (F) material, and / or a panel of an optically variable material, as well as other panels. If P panels and / or F panels are provided, they will be provided as separate panels in each panel sequence.

[0046] exist Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the example of FIG. 4 , a print strip 72 is used to form a print on the surface of a plastic card. For example, a CMY panel 102a-c may be used to form a printed portrait image 46 ( Figure 3A ), and the K panel 102d can be used to print other cardholder data, such as the cardholder's name 48 ( Figure 3A ). The T-panel 102e is then used to apply a radiation-curable top coating material over at least some of the printed data. For example, the radiation-curable top coating material from the T-panel 102e may be applied over a portion of the portrait image 46 or over the entire portrait image 46, and / or the radiation-curable top coating material from the T-panel 102e may be applied over a portion of the cardholder's name 48, the account number 60, etc. or over the entire cardholder's name 48, the account number 60, etc. The radiation-curable top coating material from the T-panel 102e may be applied over selected data of the printed data on the card, or the radiation-curable top coating material from the T-panel 102e may be applied over the entire card surface, including all of the printed data on the card surface.

[0047] Figure 8 The diagram shows that Figure 4 and Figure 5 Another example of a thermal transfer printing ribbon 72 for use with the printing station 16 in FIG. In this example, the printing ribbon 72 includes a thermal transfer printing ribbon 72 having a thermal transfer printing ribbon 72 disposed on the printing station 16. Figure 7A carrier film (not shown) similar to the carrier film 100 in FIG. 1 and a repeating panel sequence of heat transferable materials, wherein each panel sequence includes two panels 104a, 104b of color materials and at least one panel 102e of a heat transferable radiation curable protective top coating material (T). Each panel sequence may also optionally include (one or more) panels of a primer (P) material, an optically variable material and / or a fluorescent (F) material, as well as the above-mentioned Figure 6 to Figure 7 Other panels as described.

[0048] The panels 104a, 104b of color material may be any two color materials that one may want to apply to a plastic card. For example, the panels 104a, 104b may be two or more of black, silver, white, gray, cyan (C), magenta (M), or yellow (Y) in any order.

[0049] Fig. 9 The diagram shows that Figure 4 and Figure 5 Another example of a thermal transfer printing ribbon 72 for use with the printing station 16 in FIG. In this example, the printing ribbon 72 includes a thermal transfer printing ribbon 72 having a thermal transfer printing ribbon 72 disposed on the printing station 16. Figure 7 A carrier film (not shown) similar to the carrier film 100 in the embodiment of the present invention and a repeating panel sequence of heat transferable materials, wherein each panel sequence includes a panel 106 of color material and at least one panel 102e of heat transferable radiation curable protective top coating material (T). Each panel sequence may also optionally include (one or more) panels of primer (P) material and / or fluorescent (F) material and / or optically variable material, as well as the above-mentioned Figure 6 to Figure 7 The other panels described. The panel 106 of color material can be any color material that one might want to apply to a plastic card. For example, the panel 106 can be black, silver, white, gray, cyan (C), magenta (M), or yellow (Y).

[0050] Figures 6 to 9 The radiation-curable top coating material of the T-panel 102e in the embodiment of the present invention is dry or substantially dry. The term "dry" means that the material of the T-panel 102e is not sticky at room temperature, thereby allowing the printed strip 72 to be wound on itself without using a removable intermediate layer to cover the panel 102e to prevent the panel from adhering to itself or to the carrier film 100 when it is wound into a roll. The T-panel 102e may also be referred to as non-blocking. In a non-limiting embodiment, the radiation-curable top coating material of the T-panel 102e may be applied to the plastic card with a thickness between about 3 microns and about 8 microns.

[0051] The top coating material of radiation curing can also be described as being suitable for receiving printing. "Printing and receiving" means that the top coating material of radiation curing can be suitable for receiving color material from the printing strip (or from the print head of inkjet on demand), to form printed matter on the top coating material of radiation curing, wherein the resulting print quality on the top coating material of radiation curing can be considered to be enough to allow the resulting plastic card to be issued to the expected cardholder. The typical top coating material used together with plastic cards and other personalized identification documents is not printed in the plastic card industry and is not considered to be suitable for receiving printing. However, the top coating material of radiation curing described herein is suitable for receiving printing, and if selected to do so, can be printed thereon.

[0052] In one non-limiting embodiment, the thermal transfer printing ribbon 72 may have the following configuration. However, other configurations are possible.

[0053] Exemplary Print Strip Configuration

[0054] Carrier Film 100:

[0055] The materials used for the carrier film 100 may include, but are not limited to, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyolefins, polyurethanes, acetates, and other materials, alone or in combination. It is desirable that the carrier film 100 have sufficient thermal stability and dimensional stability during the coating, drying, printing, and transfer processes. In one embodiment, the carrier film 100 may have a thickness between about 4.0 microns and about 8.0 microns. In another embodiment, the carrier film 100 may have a thickness between about 4.0 microns and about 6.0 microns.

[0056] Color Panel: The construction and formulation of the color panel, which may be dye-based inks and / or pigment inks, may be standard and known in the art.

[0057] T-Panel 102e: The materials of the T-panel 102e may include, but are not limited to, a mixture of: (i) one or more UV or other radiation curable acrylates, urethane acrylates, epoxy acrylates, or acrylate oligomers, alone or in combination; (ii) one or more thermoplastic vinyls, acrylics, acetates, polyurethanes, or polyesters, alone or in combination; and (iii) one or more photoinitiators. Optionally, other additives such as surfactants, waxes, stabilizers, inhibitors, etc. may be included to improve the handling and stability of the T-panel 102e of the print strip 72. Optionally, fillers such as silica, alumina, etc. may be added to improve toughness. Each resulting T-panel 102e is dry to the touch or substantially dry to the touch. Solutions of these components are prepared in a suitable solvent system and coated on a carrier film 110 using conventional coating methods such as gravure, wire wound rod coating or slot die coating. When dried after coating, the layer of material forming each T-panel 102e should be tack-free, or dry to the touch, or substantially dry to the touch. This dry-to-the-touch layer is radiation cured after it has been transferred to a desired substrate such as a plastic card or retransfer tape. In one embodiment, each T-panel 102e may have a thickness between about 3.0 microns and about 12.0 microns. In another embodiment, each T-panel 102e may have a thickness between about 5.0 microns and about 10.0 microns. In one embodiment, each T-panel 102e may include at least the following components: one or more radiation-curable monomers, preferably tetrafunctional or more; one or more photoinitiators; one or more non-functional polymers; one or more radiation-curable acrylic polymers; one or more thermally curable monomers; one or more hydroxyl-functional polymers; one or more thermal initiators; and one or more silica sols. One or more radiation-curable monomers, typically acrylic monomers, may include an average functionality of 4 or more, or a majority of at least one radiation-curable monomer has an average functionality of 4 or more. The radiation-curable monomers may include acrylic monomers, such as, for example, aliphatic urethane hexaacrylate, or acrylic monomers having hydroxyl functionality, such as, for example, dipentaerythritolhexaacrylate (DPHA). One or more photoinitiators absorb radiation in the actinic band from 220 nm to 410 nm produced by conventional mercury UV lamps, or absorb radiation at longer selected actinic wavelengths (typically 395 nm, 385 nm, and 365 nm) emitted by LED lamps. Examples of photoinitiators that can be used include, but are not limited to, bis-acylphosphineoxide (BAPO). Examples of non-functional polymers that can be used include, but are not limited to, polyesters, vinyl copolymers, and polyacrylic polymers, alone or in combination.These components contribute to the overall film formation and adhesion properties of the thermally transferable radiation curable topcoat. The one or more radiation-curable acrylic polymers may include, but are not limited to, one or more UV-curable acrylic polymers that exist in a solid phase at room temperature and can be prepared using a two-step reaction: (1) using 2-methacryloyloxyethyl isocyanate (MOI) as a comonomer to prepare an acrylic polymer having pendant isocyanate functional groups; and then, (2) reacting the pendant isocyanate groups with a hydroxy-functional epoxide, oxetane, or benzophenone. One or more hydroxyl functional polymers are polymers comprising hydroxyl groups that can react with reactive groups (such as, for example, ether groups) on a heat-curable monomer to form a covalent bond. Examples of hydroxyl functional polymers that can be used include, but are not limited to, polyacrylic acid polyols, cellulose ester polyols, polyether polyols, polyester polyols, and polyvinyl alcohol. One or more heat-curable monomers that can be used may include, but are not limited to, isocyanates, epoxy resins, phenolic resins, amines, silanes, and monomers with one or more ether groups (e.g., one, two, three or more ether groups). The ether groups may, for example, include one or more methoxy groups, ethoxy groups, or other groups. The ether groups may react with other functional groups (such as, for example, hydroxyl groups), or they may react with other ether groups. The reaction may result in polymerization or crosslinking. Heat-curable monomers with aromatic or heteroaromatic rings, such as, for example, functionalized melamine monomers, may provide improved coating compatibility with substrates (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate). Examples of heat-curable monomers that may be used include, but are not limited to, hexamethoxymethyl melamine (HMMM). One or more thermal initiators facilitate polymerization and crosslinking reactions. Thermal initiators accomplish this function by lowering the activation energy (Ea) of a given step reaction, thereby providing a different pathway. The different pathways allow bonds to rearrange so that reactants can be converted to products more easily, with lower energy input. In a given time interval, the presence of a thermal initiator allows a greater proportion of the reactant species to acquire sufficient energy to pass through the transition state and become a product. Examples of thermal initiators that may be used include, but are not limited to, para-toluene sulfonic acid (PTSA). One or more silica sols impart hardness and heat resistance to the thermally transferable radiation curable topcoat.Examples of silica sols that may be used include, but are not limited to, colloidal silica sols that allow for high transparency under visible light when uniformly dispersed in a liquid medium. The thermally transferable radiation curable top coating may also include one or more organic solvents for purposes such as controlling solution viscosity, improving wetting and substrate coating. Examples of organic solvents that may be used include, but are not limited to, ketones, esters, and alcohols, such as, for example, methyl ethyl ketone, butyl acetate, and isopropyl alcohol. Natural or synthetic waxes may be added to the topcoat to improve surface slip. The top coating may also include one or more reactive silanes as coupling agents for the silica sol and the thermally curable monomer to improve tensile properties.

[0058] Optional Release Layer:

[0059] An optional release layer may be provided between each T-panel 102e and the carrier film 100 to facilitate release of the radiation curable material of the T-panel 102e from the carrier film 100. The optional release layer may include, but is not limited to, polyester, acrylic, or wax-based coatings, which may be applied using conventional coating methods such as gravure printing, wire-wound doctor bar coating, or slot die coating. The optional release layer may be thermoplastic or cured using heat or radiation.

[0060] In one embodiment, the optional release layer can have a thickness between about 0.1 microns to about 4.0 microns. In another embodiment, the optional release layer can have a thickness between about 0.1 microns to about 2.0 microns.

[0061] In one embodiment, the optional release layer may include one or more of a heat-cured melamine (eg, an amino cross-linker), a heat-cured silicone, and a UV-cured silicone.

[0062] The release system of heat-curable amino cross-linking may contain at least the following substances: one or more heat-curable amino resin monomers; one or more hydroxyl-functional polymers; and one or more thermal initiators. One or more heat-curable amino resin monomers may include monomers having one or more ether groups (e.g., one, two, three or more ether groups). The ether groups may, for example, include one or more methoxy, ethoxy or other groups. The ether groups may react with other functional groups (such as, for example, hydroxyl groups), or they may react with other ether groups. The reaction may result in polymerization or cross-linking. Heat-curable monomers having aromatic or heteroaromatic rings, such as, for example, functionalized melamine monomers, may provide improved coating compatibility with substrates (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate). Examples of heat-curable monomers that may be used include, but are not limited to, hexamethoxymethyl melamine (HMMM). Hydroxy-functional polymers are polymers including hydroxyl groups that are capable of reacting with reactive groups (such as, for example, ether groups) on heat-curable monomers to form covalent bonds. Hydroxyl functional polymers can be characterized by their hydroxyl content. Examples of hydroxyl functional polymers that can be used include, but are not limited to, polyacrylic acid polyols, cellulose ester polyols, polyether polyols, polyester polyols, and polyvinyl alcohol. Thermal initiators facilitate polymerization and crosslinking reactions. Thermal initiators achieve this function by reducing the activation energy (Ea) of a given step reaction, thereby providing different pathways. Different pathways allow bond rearrangements to more easily convert reactants into products with lower energy input. Within a given time interval, the presence of a thermal initiator allows a greater proportion of reactant species to obtain sufficient energy to pass through the transition state and become a product. An exemplary thermal initiator is p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA). The heat-cured amino cross-linked release coating can also include an organic solvent that controls solution viscosity, improves wetting, and substrate coating. Examples of organic solvents that can be used include, but are not limited to, ketones, esters, and alcohols, such as, for example, methyl ethyl ketone, butyl acetate, and isopropanol. Surfactants can be added to the release coating to improve the wetting of the release coating. Hydroxy-functional polysiloxanes are exemplary wetting agents for heat-cured coatings because they will form covalent bonds with the heat-cured monomers during the drying process at elevated temperatures, thereby resisting the migration of surfactant molecules to the back side of the carrier film in roll form under long-term storage conditions.

[0063] Thermally cured silicones may include at least the following components: one or more silicone polymers with vinyl groups; one or more silicone hydride crosslinkers; and one or more thermal initiators, preferably platinum catalysts. Vinyl functional polysiloxanes undergo thermally induced addition polymerization when exposed to elevated temperatures in the presence of platinum catalysts. Thermally cured silicone polymers fall into four general categories: 1) silicone polymers with terminal vinyl functional groups (at the chain ends); 2) silicone polymers with pendant vinyl functional groups (on the polymer backbone side); 3) silicone polymers of varying chain lengths; and 4) silicone hydride crosslinker types. The ratio of the various silicone polymers with vinyl or methyl hydride groups to these four general categories determines the relative ratio of vinyl groups to silicone groups in the thermally cured silicone release layer. It is this ratio that largely determines the final properties of the thermally cured release composite (i.e., tight release to easy release). Thermal initiators facilitate both polymerization and crosslinking reactions. Thermal initiators accomplish this function by lowering the activation energy (Ea) of a given step reaction, thereby providing different pathways. Different pathways allow bonds to be rearranged so that reactants can be converted to products more easily, with lower energy input. The presence of a thermal initiator allows a greater proportion of the reactant species to acquire sufficient energy to pass through the transition state and become a product within a given time interval. An example of a thermal initiator that can be used is Karstedt's catalyst Pt2[(Me2SiCH=CH2)2O]3. The heat-curable silicone release coating may also include an organic solvent for controlling solution viscosity, improving wetting, and substrate coating. Examples of organic solvents that can be used include, but are not limited to, ketones, esters, and alcohols, such as, for example, methyl ethyl ketone, butyl acetate, and isopropanol. In addition, petroleum solvents (e.g., n-heptane, isooctane, and VM&P naphtha) can be used as diluents in heat-curable silicone release coatings.

[0064] The UV-cured silicone release coating may include at least the following components: one or more silicone polymers having acrylate or epoxy groups present as a blend; one or more radiation-curable monomers, preferably tetrafunctional or more; and one or more photoinitiators. Acrylate-functional polysiloxanes undergo free radical-induced polymerization when exposed to UV light in the presence of a photoinitiator. Epoxy-functional polysiloxanes undergo cation-induced polymerization when exposed to UV light in the presence of a cationic photoinitiator. Both silicone acrylate and silicone epoxy polymer units belong to three general categories: 1) silicone polymers with terminal acrylate or epoxy functional groups (at the chain ends); 2) silicone polymers with pendant acrylate or pendant epoxy functional groups (on the polymer backbone side); and 3) silicone acrylates or silicone epoxy polymers of varying chain lengths. The ratio of silicone acrylate or silicone epoxy polymers to these three general categories determines the relative ratio of acrylate or epoxy groups to siloxane groups in the UV-cured silicone release layer. One or more radiation-curable monomers may include four or more average functional groups, or a majority of one or more radiation-curable monomers have four or more average functional groups. In at least some embodiments, the radiation-curable monomers may include acrylic monomers, such as, for example, aliphatic urethane hexaacrylate, or acrylic monomers with hydroxyl functional groups, such as, for example, dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (DPHA). Photoinitiators for UV-cured silicone release coatings absorb radiation in the actinic band of 220nm to 410nm generated by conventional mercury UV lamps, or absorb longer selected actinic wavelengths emitted by LED lamps, typically 395nm, 385nm and 365nm. An example of a UV photoinitiator for conventional UV curing and UV-LED curing that can be used is bisacylphosphine oxide (BAPO). Cationic photoinitiators are strong acid generators derived from sulfonium or iodonium salts consisting of a cation and anion pair. An example of a cationic photoinitiator that can be used is triarylsulfonium hexafluoroantimonate. UV-curable silicone release coatings may also include organic solvents for controlling solution viscosity, improving wetting and substrate coating. Examples of organic solvents that may be used include, but are not limited to, ketones, esters, and alcohols, such as, for example, methyl ethyl ketone, butyl acetate, and isopropanol. In addition, petroleum solvents (e.g., n-heptane, isooctane, and VM&P naphtha) may be used as diluents in UV-curable silicone release coatings.

[0065] Optional Adhesive Layer:

[0066] An optional adhesive layer may be added to each T-panel 102e to enhance the bonding of the radiation curable material to a substrate (e.g., a plastic card or a retransfer strip). The optional adhesive layer may be made of a single resin, or a mixture of acrylate, polyurethane, polyester, vinyl, acetate, or epoxy resin. The optional adhesive layer may be applied by conventional coating methods (e.g., gravure printing, wire wound scraper coating, or slot die coating). The optional adhesive layer may be thermoplastic, or cured by heat or radiation.

[0067] In one embodiment, the optional adhesive layer may have a thickness between about 1.0 micrometer to about 5.0 micrometers. In another embodiment, the optional adhesive layer may have a thickness between about 1.0 micrometer to about 3.0 micrometers.

[0068] The print strip 72 may also optionally include a backside coating 122 (on Figure 7 102e and / or the materials of the other panels 102a-d are adhered to the carrier film 100 when the print strip 72 is wound into roll form. The back coating 122 can have any formulation suitable for preventing such adhesion from occurring. The back coating 122 also provides sufficient sliding properties and thermal stability between the print head and the print strip during the printing process. The back coating 122 can have any formulation suitable for achieving these properties. The back coating 122 can be formed of (one or more) radiation-curable materials or (one or more) thermally-curable materials. In one embodiment, the back coating 122 can include thermally-cured melamine; thermally-cured silicone; or UV-cured silicone.

[0069] The heat-curable melamine may include a heat-curable amino cross-linked back coating having at least the following components: one or more heat-curable amino resin monomers; one or more hydroxyl-functional polymers; and one or more thermal initiators. One or more heat-curable amino resin monomers may include, but are not limited to, monomers having one or more ether groups (e.g., one, two, three or more ether groups). The ether groups may, for example, include one or more methoxy, ethoxy or other groups. The ether groups may react with other functional groups (such as, for example, hydroxyl groups), or they may react with other ether groups. The reaction may result in polymerization or cross-linking. Heat-curable monomers having aromatic or heteroaromatic rings, such as, for example, functionalized melamine monomers, may provide improved coating compatibility with substrates (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate). An example of a heat-curable monomer that may be used is hexamethoxymethyl melamine (HMMM). One or more hydroxyl-functional polymers are polymers including hydroxyl groups that are capable of reacting with reactive groups (such as, for example, ether groups) on heat-curable monomers to form covalent bonds. Examples of hydroxyl-functional polymers that can be used include, but are not limited to, polyacrylic acid polyols, cellulose ester polyols, polyether polyols, polyester polyols, and polyvinyl alcohol. One or more thermal initiators facilitate polymerization and crosslinking reactions. Thermal initiators achieve this function by reducing the activation energy (Ea) of a given step reaction, thereby providing different pathways. Different pathways allow bond rearrangements to more easily convert reactants into products with lower energy input. Within a given time interval, the presence of a thermal initiator allows a greater proportion of reactant species to obtain sufficient energy to pass through the transition state and become a product. Examples of thermal initiators that can be used include, but are not limited to, p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA). The heat-cured amino-crosslinked back coating can also include organic solvents that are used for purposes such as controlling solution viscosity, improving wetting, and substrate coating. Examples of organic solvents that can be used include, but are not limited to, ketones, esters, and alcohols, such as, for example, methyl ethyl ketone, butyl acetate, and isopropanol. Surfactants can be added to the back coating to improve the wetting of the back coating. Hydroxy-functional polysiloxanes are exemplary wetting agents for heat-cured coatings because they will form covalent bonds with the heat-cured monomers during the drying process at elevated temperatures, thereby resisting migration of surfactant molecules to the coating on the front side of the carrier film in roll form under long-term storage conditions.

[0070] The heat-cured silicone back coating may include at least the following: one or more silicone polymers with vinyl groups; one or more silicone hydride crosslinkers; and one or more thermal initiators, preferably platinum catalysts. Vinyl-functional polysiloxanes undergo thermally induced addition polymerization when exposed to high temperatures in the presence of a platinum catalyst. The heat-cured silicone polymer units belong to four general categories: 1) silicone polymers with terminal vinyl functional groups (at the ends of the chains); 2) silicone polymers with pendant vinyl functional groups (on the side of the polymer backbone); 3) silicone polymers of varying chain lengths; and 4) silicone hydride crosslinker types. The ratio of the various silicone polymers with vinyl or methyl hydrogen groups to these four general categories determines the relative ratio of vinyl groups to silicone groups in the heat-cured silicone back coating. Thermal initiators facilitate polymerization and crosslinking reactions. Thermal initiators achieve this function by lowering the activation energy (Ea) of a given step reaction, thereby providing different pathways. Different pathways allow bond rearrangements to more easily convert reactants to products with lower energy input. The presence of a thermal initiator allows a greater proportion of the reactant species to acquire sufficient energy to pass through the transition state and become a product within a given time interval. An example of a thermal initiator that can be used is the Karstedt catalyst Pt2[(Me2SiCH=CH2)2O]3. The heat-curable silicone back coating may also include an organic solvent for purposes such as controlling solution viscosity, improving wetting, and substrate coating. Examples of organic solvents that can be used include, but are not limited to, ketones, esters, and alcohols, such as, for example, methyl ethyl ketone, butyl acetate, and isopropanol. In addition, petroleum solvents (e.g., n-heptane, isooctane, and VM&P naphtha) can be used as effective diluents in heat-curable silicone back coatings.

[0071] The UV-cured silicone backside coating may include at least the following: one or more silicone polymers having acrylate or epoxy groups; one or more radiation-curable monomers, preferably tetrafunctional or more; and one or more photoinitiators. Acrylate-functional polysiloxanes undergo free radical-induced polymerization when exposed to UV light in the presence of a photoinitiator. Epoxy-functional polysiloxanes undergo cation-induced polymerization when exposed to UV light in the presence of a cationic photoinitiator. Both silicone acrylate and silicone epoxy polymer units belong to three general categories: 1) silicone polymers with terminal acrylate or epoxy functional groups (at the chain ends); 2) silicone polymers with pendant acrylate or pendant epoxy functional groups (on the polymer backbone side); and 3) silicone acrylates or silicone epoxy polymers of varying chain lengths. The ratio of silicone acrylate or silicone epoxy polymers to these three general categories determines the relative ratio of acrylate or epoxy groups to siloxane groups in the UV-cured backside coating. The radiation-curable monomer may include four or more average functional groups, or a majority of at least one radiation-curable monomer has four or more average functional groups. The radiation-curable monomer may include an acrylic monomer, such as, for example, an aliphatic urethane hexaacrylate, or an acrylic monomer with a hydroxyl functional group, such as, for example, dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (DPHA). One or more photoinitiators absorb radiation in the actinic band of 220nm to 410nm generated by a conventional mercury UV lamp, and absorb longer selected actinic wavelengths emitted by an LED lamp, typically 395nm, 385nm, and 365nm. Examples of UV photoinitiators that can be used for conventional UV curing and UV-LED curing include, but are not limited to, bisacylphosphine oxide (BAPO). Cationic photoinitiators are strong acid generators derived from sulfonium or iodonium salts composed of cations and anion pairs. Examples of cationic photoinitiators that can be used include, but are not limited to, triarylsulfonium hexafluoroantimonates. The UV-curable silicone back coating may also include an organic solvent for purposes such as controlling solution viscosity, improving wetting, and substrate coating. Examples of organic solvents that can be used include, but are not limited to, ketones, esters, and alcohols, such as, for example, methyl ethyl ketone, butyl acetate, and isopropyl alcohol. In addition, petroleum solvents (e.g., n-heptane, isooctane, and VM&P naphtha) can be used as effective diluents in UV-curable silicone back coatings.

[0072] Once applied the radiation-curable top coating material from T panel 102e, the card is transported to curing station 18, and radiation is applied to the radiation-curable top coating material to cure the top coating material. The radiation for curing the radiation-curable top coating material can be any radiation suitable for curing the radiation-curable top coating material. For example, in one embodiment, the radiation can be UV radiation. Once cured, the top coating material protects the following print and increases the durability of the following print. If the color material from color material panel 102a-d is also radiation-curable, the color material can also be radiation-cured with the top coating material simultaneously. Alternatively, the color material from panel 102a-d can be applied, and then cured, followed by applying the radiation-curable top coating material, then cured in a separate curing step.

[0073] The radiation-curable top coating material from the T-panel 102e is preferably transparent or translucent before and after curing. Alternatively, the radiation-curable top coating material from the T-panel 102e can be opaque after curing (and optionally, before curing). The radiation-curable top coating material can also include security features therein, such as fluorescent materials and / or optically variable devices, such as holograms or optically variable pigment inks.

[0074] refer to Fig.10 as well as Figure 1 to Figure 2 , a method 110 for processing a plastic identification document in a personalized identification document processing system is illustrated. In step 112, a plastic identification document to be processed is input onto a document transport path. At 114, the plastic identification document is then transported to a printing station located along the document transport path. At 116, a thermal transferable color material and a thermal transferable radiation curable protective top coating material from a print strip are applied to the plastic identification document in the printing station, wherein the applied thermal transferable radiation curable protective top coating material partially or completely overlaps the applied thermal transferable color material. Then, at 118, the plastic identification document is transported along the document transport path to a radiation curing station, and radiation is applied to the applied thermal transferable radiation curable protective top coating material to cure the applied thermal transferable radiation curable protective top coating material. Then, at 120, the plastic identification document is transported to a document output device, and the plastic identification document is output.

[0075] The examples disclosed in this application are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all aspects. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all changes falling within the meaning and range of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included therein.

Claims

1. A personalized identification document processing system, comprising: A document input device, wherein the document input device is configured to input a plastic identification document to be processed onto a document conveying path to create a personalized plastic identification document; a printing station along the document transport path, the printing station including a thermal print head and a print ribbon capable of being engaged by the thermal print head to thermally transfer material from the print ribbon to the plastic identification document; The print ribbon includes a thermally transferable radiation curable protective topcoat material disposed on a carrier film, the thermally transferable radiation curable protective topcoat material being dry to the touch or substantially dry to the touch; a radiation curing station along the document transport path, the radiation curing station being configured to apply radiation to the thermally transferable radiation curable protective top coating material applied from the print strip to the plastic identification document to cure the thermally transferable radiation curable protective top coating material on the plastic identification document; a document output device along the document transport path, the document output device being configured to receive the plastic identification document; A document transport mechanism is configured to transport the plastic identification document along the document transport path.

2. The personalized identification document processing system according to claim 1, wherein: The radiation curing station includes at least one element that emits ultraviolet curing radiation.

3. The personalized identification document processing system according to claim 2, wherein: The at least one element comprises a light emitting diode.

4. The personalized identification document processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The plastic identification document comprises a plastic identification card.

5. The personalized identification document processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The print swath comprises a repeating sequence of panels of thermally transferable material disposed on the carrier film, each panel sequence comprising: at least one panel of thermally transferable color material followed by at least one panel of the thermally transferable radiation curable protective top coating material.

6. The personalized identification document processing system according to claim 5, wherein: Each panel sequence comprises four panels of thermally transferable color material of different colors followed by at least one panel of said thermally transferable radiation curable protective top coating material.

7. The personalized identification document processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The thermally transferable radiation curable protective top coating material is transparent or translucent.

8. The personalized identification document processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The print ribbon is wrapped upon itself without a removable intermediate layer covering the thermally transferable radiation curable protective top coating material.

9. The personalized identification document processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 further includes a back coating on the carrier film; and the back coating is arranged on the surface of the carrier film opposite to the surface of the carrier film on which the thermal transferable radiation-curable protective top coating material is arranged.

10. The personalized identification document processing system according to claim 5, wherein: Each sequence of panels also includes one or more of: a panel of primer material, a panel of optically variable material, and a panel of fluorescent material.

11. The personalized identification document processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The printing station comprises: a direct-to-document thermal printing station wherein said thermal print head and said print ribbon print said thermally transferable radiation curable protective topcoat material directly onto said plastic identification document; or A retransfer printing station wherein the thermal print head and the print ribbon print the thermally transferable radiation curable protective top coating material onto a transferable print receiving layer of a retransfer ribbon and the transferable print receiving layer is then transferable from the retransfer ribbon to the plastic identification document.

12. The personalized identification document processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 further includes a second printing station along the document conveying path, the second printing station including a second thermal print head and a second printing strip, the second printing strip including a thermally transferable color material, and the second printing strip can be engaged by the second thermal print head to thermally transfer the thermally transferable color material from the second printing strip to the plastic identification document.

13. A method for processing a plastic identification document in a personalized identification document processing system, comprising: Inputting the plastic identification documents to be processed into the document conveying path; conveying the plastic identification document to a printing station positioned along the document conveying path, the printing station comprising a thermal print head and a print ribbon engageable by the thermal print head to thermally transfer material from the print ribbon to personalize the plastic identification document, the print ribbon comprising a carrier film, wherein a thermally transferable radiation curable protective top coating material is disposed on the carrier film, the thermally transferable radiation curable protective top coating material being dry to the touch or substantially dry to the touch; applying a thermally transferable radiation curable protective top coating material from the print ribbon to the plastic identification document; then conveying the plastic identification document to a radiation curing station along the document conveyance path and applying radiation to the applied thermal transferable radiation curable protective top coating material to cure the applied thermal transferable radiation curable protective top coating material; The plastic identification document is then transported to a document output device and output.

14. The method according to claim 13, comprising: Ultraviolet radiation is applied to the applied thermally transferable radiation curable protective top coating material to cure the applied thermally transferable radiation curable protective top coating material.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The plastic identification document comprises a plastic identification card, and the method comprises: applying a thermally transferable color material from the print strip to the plastic identification document using the thermal print head to form a portrait image of an intended holder of the plastic identification document; and The thermally transferable radiation curable protective topcoat material is applied from the print ribbon onto the portrait image on the plastic identification document.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The print swath comprises a repeating sequence of panels of thermally transferable material disposed on the carrier film, each panel sequence comprising: at least one panel of thermally transferable color material followed by at least one panel of the thermally transferable radiation curable protective top coating material.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: Each panel sequence comprises four panels of thermally transferable color material of different colors followed by at least one panel of said thermally transferable radiation curable protective top coating material.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The thermally transferable radiation curable protective top coating material is transparent or translucent.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The print ribbon is wrapped upon itself without a removable intermediate layer covering the thermally transferable radiation curable protective top coating material.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising a backside coating on the carrier film; and the backside coating is disposed on a surface of the carrier film opposite to a surface of the carrier film on which the thermally transferable radiation-curable protective top coating material is disposed.

21. The method according to claim 16, wherein: Each sequence of panels also includes one or more of: a panel of primer material, a panel of optically variable material, and a panel of fluorescent material.

22. The method of claim 13, comprising one of the following: The thermally transferable radiation curable protective topcoat material is applied from the print ribbon to the plastic identification document in a direct-to-document process, wherein: The thermal print head and the print ribbon print the thermally transferable radiation curable protective top coating material directly onto the plastic identification document; or The thermally transferable, radiation-curable protective top coating material is applied from the print ribbon to the plastic identification document during a retransfer printing process, wherein the thermal print head and the print ribbon print the thermally transferable, radiation-curable protective top coating material onto the transferable print-receiving layer of the retransfer ribbon, and then the transferable print-receiving layer can be transferred from the retransfer ribbon to the plastic identification document.

23. The method of claim 13, further comprising: In a second printing station along the document transport path, a second thermal print head is used to apply thermally transferable color material from a second print strip to the plastic identification document.

Images