System for depositing a holographic or three-dimensional security feature onto a security document carrier roll using a heated punch.

Abstract

This deposit system comprises a deposit punch 7 equipped with a floating head 13, a holographic security roller 4, and a personalized security holder roller 2 moving flat beneath the punch 7. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig 1

Description

Title of the invention: System for depositing a holographic or three-dimensional security feature onto a security document carrier roll using a heated punch. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the depositing of holograms by means of machines for the production of secure documents, such as identity cards, driving licenses among others.

[0002] The present invention relates more particularly to a system for depositing holograms on a roll supporting secure securities. Previous techniques

[0003] The deposition of holograms on secure securities is generally done on sheets containing several dozen cards before the printing of the alphanumeric and photographic variable data.

[0004] These processes render the stored documents, prior to personalization, vulnerable to theft because the holographic security features are already present on the blank documents, without any printed variable data. The laser printing to print the variable data—civil status, photo, and signature—is done with the holographic security feature already applied to the document. After personalization, these documents can be re-engraved by laser without altering the document, despite the presence of the holographic security features. Description of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a system for depositing holograms within the same cycle as a document production machine. The depositing system is located immediately after the printing of variable data, personal details, photograph, and signature, thus eliminating a step in document production.

[0006] In light of the foregoing, the invention proposes a hologram deposition system, i.e., holographic or three-dimensional security deposition, enabling the deposition of holograms onto rolled securities at a high rate, less than 5 seconds per deposition, which corresponds to the cycle of a security production machine using photographic transfer technology. With this technology, the data cannot be modified after the hologram is depositioned because the variable data from one security to another is fixed in the silver salts.

[0007] The dispensing is done by a heated punch whose heated head is kept perfectly flat with the movement of the securities support roller and is equipped of an additional heating element, activated between two deposits, to obtain the temperature regulation necessary for a homogeneous deposit of the hologram.

[0008] The present invention relates more particularly to a hologram depositing system comprising a punch equipped with a floating head ensuring the transfer of holograms from a hologram support roller.

[0009] Advantageously, the floating head is equipped with a ball positioned between the head and the axis of the punch.

[0010] Preferably, the ball is held in the axis of the punch thrust, in the waiting position, by a plate attached to the axis of the punch.

[0011] For example, four stop screws and four springs allowing the ball to be held before the punch is pushed.

[0012] The floating head advantageously includes an additional thermal resistance to regulate the temperature after each placement. Description of the drawings

[0013] The presentation of an embodiment taken by way of non-limiting example will aid in understanding the invention, with the accompanying drawings illustrating this, in which:

[0014] [Fig.1] represents a hologram deposition system according to the invention.

[0015] [Fig.2] represents a punch according to the invention. Detailed description

[0016] Fig. 1 represents a secure securities production machine using a holographic image deposition system according to the invention.

[0017] The removal system comprises:

[0018] a roll dispenser for personalized titles, the title roll to be produced comprising a series of printed titles,

[0019] a cell for stopping the securities at the location of the hologram deposit,

[0020] a motor for advancing the roller,

[0021] a roll dispenser supporting holographic safety devices,

[0022] a controlled motor for positioning the hologram to be placed on the security,

[0023] a depositing punch with a heating head for transferring the hologram onto the product title,

[0024] a floating heating head at the end of the punch to ensure homogeneous pressure over the entire surface of the hologram to be transferred onto the security, essential for the homogeneity of the deposit quality,

[0025] a heating head equipped with an additional heating element to compensate for the drop in head temperature associated with each removal; this element is activated when the punch retracts after removal, for a few hundred milliseconds.

[0026] a head made floating by the presence, in the axis of the head, of a ball, between the head and a plate fixed to the axis of the punch,

[0027] the head being equipped with springs, for example four in number, positioned at its ends, held by four screws butted against the plate attached to the axis of the punch to keep the ball in a waiting position before the descent of the punch.

[0028] With reference to [Fig. 1], the machine 1 is intended to receive a roll film 2 containing the already personalized titles, that is to say, on which are printed personal information relating to the cardholder, in particular the security background, alphanumeric data, the photo and signature of the holder and all data used to secure by printing the produced title.

[0029] It includes a cell 3 controlling the roller drive rollers so as to stop the roller to position the security to be protected under the hologram deposit punch.

[0030] A hologram support roller 4 driven by a motor 5 positions the holograms in the exact location, using the cell 6 to protect the photo or any other location chosen on the title.

[0031] The punch 7 presses to transfer the hologram onto the title by thermal transfer.

[0032] The film is protected by two transparent polyester laminators 9. These laminators are heat-sealed onto the securities support film by a laminator 8.

[0033] The cards are then cut to the desired format by a cutting tool 10.

[0034] Fig. 2 represents the punch 7 according to the invention to allow deposition at a rate of less than 5 seconds without alteration of the quality of the deposition linked to the decrease in temperature caused by the dispersion of heat on the title during the deposition.

[0035] The title is positioned under punch 7 under the control of cell 3.

[0036] The temperature is regulated by the addition of a heating element 12 activated after each hologram deposition. This heating element is active for a few hundred milliseconds during each deposition cycle.

[0037] The positioning of the head to obtain the best deposit is ensured according to the invention by a floating head 13.

[0038] As the punch descends, it presses on a ball 14 positioned in the axis of the head, between the axis of the punch and the head. This ball ensures the most uniform pressure on the surface for the transfer of the hologram.

[0039] The ball is held in the standby position on the head by four stop screws 15 and four springs 16 on each stop screw. The punch shaft is fitted with an integral plate that retains the stop screws. When the punch 7 descends, the ball balances the thrust over the entire surface of the deposit.

Claims

Demands

1. Hologram depositing system on a roll of personalized securities, characterized in that it comprises a punch (7) equipped with a floating head (13) ensuring the transfer of holograms from a hologram support roll, and in which the floating head is equipped with a ball (14) positioned between the head and the axis (11) of the punch (7).

2. Hologram depositing system according to claim 1 and 2 in which the ball (14) is held in the axis of the punch thrust, in standby position, by a plate (17) integral with the axis (11) of the punch.

3. Hologram depositing system according to any one of claims 1 and 2, comprising four stop screws (15) and four springs (16) allowing the ball to be held before the punch (7) is pushed.

4. Hologram deposition system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising in the floating head (13) an additional thermal resistance to regulate the temperature after each deposition.

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