PERSONALIZED METAL CARD

Abstract

The invention relates to a metallic card (1) comprising: at least one metallic substrate, at least one coating deposited on a first face of the metallic substrate and comprising: a first coating stack covering a first area and comprising a layer of ink, and a second stack covering a second area and comprising a layer of varnish, the first and second stacks being juxtaposed, the coating forming a pattern comprising: a first part (22) comprising at least the first coating stack and having a first color, a second part (24) comprising the second coating stack and having a second color, and a third part (26) formed by at least a third area of ​​the first face of the metallic substrate and having a third color, the first color, the second color, and the third color being contrasted with each other. (See Figure 1 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: PERSONALIZED METAL CARD TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a card, such as a debit card, a credit card, an identification card, a loyalty card, a membership card, a health care card, a security card, etc.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a metallic card, that is to say to a card comprising a metallic substrate. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Cards, for example of the type mentioned above, are commonly personalized to display a design on at least one of their sides. This design may, for example, include information relating to the cardholder or an issuing company, such as a company logo, like that of a banking institution, intended to strengthen brand visual identification and offer a distinctive and aesthetic element to users.

[0004] For a metal card, it is known to use machining or engraving techniques to form the pattern on the surface of the metal substrate. These techniques make it possible to create raised patterns that provide an aesthetic effect and add a tactile dimension to the card.

[0005] However, some metallic materials, such as tungsten, are very difficult to machine due to their high hardness. Furthermore, some substrates are composed of layers of materials of different types and / or hardnesses, for example, a layer of metal and a layer of plastic, which generates burrs during machining, making the patterns less precise or less visually sharp. Moreover, machining often leaves unwanted marks on the surface of the metallic substrate, which is not always desirable. Description of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned above, which may lead to other advantages.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a metallic card comprising: - at least one metallic substrate, the metallic substrate having a first metal face and a second face opposite the first face, the first face of the metallic substrate comprising at least three distinct zones, at least one zone of the three zones being juxtaposed to two other zones of the three zones, - at least one coating deposited on the first metal face of the metallic substrate and comprising: • a first layer covering a first area and including a layer of ink, and • a second layer covering a second area and including a layer of varnish, the first and second stacks being juxtaposed to each other, the coating forming with the metallic substrate a pattern comprising at least three distinct parts, namely: - a first part comprising at least the first layer of the coating and exhibiting a first color, - a second part comprising the second layer of the coating and featuring a second color, and - a third part formed by at least a third zone of the first face of the metallic substrate and exhibiting a third color, the first color, the second color and the third color being contrasted with each other.

[0008] The metallic card according to the invention has a pattern comprising several colored parts that contrast with each other. One of these parts is formed by an area of ​​the first metal face of the metallic substrate, creating a depth effect in this part compared to the other parts of the pattern, which appear in relief.

[0009] This relief effect is obtained by depositing, on the first metal face of the metallic substrate, a coating comprising two juxtaposed stacks revealing colors that contrast both with each other and with the color of the part of the pattern formed by the third zone of the first metal face of the metallic substrate.

[0010] Relief effects (hollow / protruding) can thus be obtained simply and with a wide variety of metallic substrates. In particular, it is possible to overcome the constraints that may arise from the thermomechanical behavior of any metallic substrate when it is subjected to stress during machining.

[0011] Moreover, current coating deposition techniques offer significant precision which makes it possible to define patterns that appear to have been obtained by machining techniques but are very sharp.

[0012] It should be noted that color contrast is understood here in the context of human visual perception. According to the CIE 1976 standard defined by the International Commission on Illumination (also denoted as "CIE"), the human eye perceives a color difference when the change exceeds approximately one unit in a CIELAB color space such as "Delta E" (also denoted as "AE"). More precisely, a variation An AE of approximately 1.0 is considered the threshold from which an average human eye begins to discern a difference between two colors.

[0013] Optional features of embodiments of the invention are defined below.

[0014] The ink layer of the first layer of the coating may include a black ink underlayer and a white ink underlayer. The resulting effect is gray, which is the color of most metallic substrates. The opacity of the layers can be adjusted according to the desired level of gray, for example, by adjusting their thickness or by choosing inks with varying degrees of opacity. It should be noted that white ink applied to a metallic surface diffuses the light that strikes it, thus reducing the brightness and direct reflection of the metallic surface. In other words, the white ink alters the reflection of light on the metallic surface of the first face of the metallic substrate, thereby making it less shiny.

[0015] Alternatively, the ink in the ink layer of the first coating stack may comprise a mixture of black and white pigments. The resulting effect is gray, which is the color of most metallic substrates.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the ink of the ink layer of the first stack of the coating may comprise a mixture of pigments colored other than black and white pigments. The resulting effect is a color close to that of the colored metallic substrate.

[0017] Furthermore, the rendering can be modified by adjusting the opacity of the first layer, so that the rendering is more or less influenced by the color of the metallic substrate. The opacity can be adjusted by changing the thickness of the first layer and / or by choosing inks with varying degrees of opacity.

[0018] The second layer may include a layer of glossy varnish. The glossy varnish contributes to the relief effect. In particular, the glossy varnish creates reflections and glare that change with the viewing angle and lighting, thus simulating variations in texture and shape, thereby reinforcing the illusion of relief.

[0019] The glossy varnish layer can be deposited directly onto the metallic substrate or onto an ink layer, such as the ink layer of the second stack. The glossy varnish layer can have a thickness of at least 20 µm, for example approximately 25 µm, particularly when deposited directly onto the metallic substrate.

[0020] The second stack may further comprise one or more layers of ink, in particular black ink. These layers may be opaque. These ink layers increase the contrast between the first stack and the third zone. In particular, stacking additional ink layers enhances the depth effect compared to the adjacent zone.

[0021] The ink layer of the second stack can then, for example, be located between the first face of the metallic substrate and the varnish layer.

[0022] The first, second, and third colors may exhibit different shades of the same color range. For example, if the color range is gray, the first, second, and third colors may exhibit different levels of gray; for example, the first color could be a light gray, the second a medium gray, and the third a dark gray. In particular, all the colors belong to the same color family (for example, gray) but vary in their lightness, saturation, or hue, resulting in different shades.

[0023] In other words, in the CIELAB color space, a chromatic range of grey would be defined by a hue constant a* and b* (generally close to zero, since grey is devoid of hue), while the brightness L* varies between its minimum and maximum values.

[0024] Other colors are also possible, depending on the color range of the metallic substrate. For example, the first, second, and third colors may have yellow / orange tints when the metallic substrate has a gold appearance. Yellow / orange inks are preferably non-opaque.

[0025] The coating may further comprise a third layer covering the third zone of the first face of the metallic substrate. The third layer provides protection to the third zone of the first face of the metallic substrate against various environmental aggressions, such as scratches, wear, humidity, or oxygen.

[0026] For example, the third stack can be translucent. The first metal face of the metallic substrate is then visible through the third stack.

[0027] For example, the third stack may include a layer of varnish. For example, the varnish layer may include a translucent varnish.

[0028] The varnish layer of the third stack can be textured. This texturing results from variations in the thickness of the varnish layer and / or an ink layer located beneath the varnish layer, conforming to a predetermined graphic pattern.

[0029] By applying a texture to the varnish layer, it is possible to create visual effects that give the impression, for example, that the first face of the metal substrate has been machined. Indeed, the texture modifies the reflection of light, dispersing it in such a way as to create variations in shadow and gloss, thus simulating machining marks. It can also accentuate certain details and produce effects reminiscent of technical finishes such as brushing. This makes it possible to obtain a complex and refined appearance without resorting to actual machining processes.

[0030] The third layer may include a layer of matte or satin varnish. The term satin describes a finish that lies between matte and gloss. These two finishes contrast with gloss, which is highly reflective.

[0031] The matte or satin varnish layer can be deposited directly onto the metallic substrate or onto an ink layer, such as the ink layer of the first stack. The gloss varnish layer can be thinner than the gloss varnish layer, for example, by a maximum of about 25 µm, for example about 20 µm, particularly when it is deposited on an ink layer.

[0032] At least two adjacent parts of the pattern exhibit differences in brightness. For example, each part of the pattern has a distinct brightness. In other words, these parts of the pattern are more reflective than others.

[0033] The first part of the pattern may define a first raised area relative to the first face of the metallic substrate, the second part of the pattern may define a second raised area relative to the first face of the metallic substrate, and the third part of the pattern may define a third raised area relative to the first face of the metallic substrate. For example, at least one of the first and second raised areas may be less than or equal to the third raised area. The advantage of this configuration is that the third part of the pattern acts as a protective element for the first and second parts, as the latter do not protrude, thus limiting their exposure to wear or damage. Furthermore, the first and second parts of the pattern give the illusion of being raised visually, although they are actually recessed or flush with the free surface of the third part.

[0034] The third thickness defined by the third part of the pattern is less than or equal to 40 µm. In the specific context of payment cards, a certain thickness, according to the standards of payment terminals, must not be exceeded to ensure that the card can be inserted without difficulty into the slots of these devices.

[0035] The second part of the motif can be located between the first part of the motif and the third part of the motif. For example, the first part and the second part can be juxtaposed.

[0036] The third part of the motif can surround the first and second parts of the motif. This helps to give the illusion of a closed, raised motif shape in relation to the third part of the motif.

[0037] The second part of the pattern can define a line surrounding the first part of the pattern. In other words, the second part of the pattern defines a contour for the first part of the pattern.

[0038] The metallic substrate can be a metal plate having a thickness between 300 pm and 500 pm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0039] Other advantages, purposes and particular features of the present invention will become apparent from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the card and method that are the subject of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: • Fig. 1 schematically represents, from a front view, a metal card according to one embodiment of the invention; • [Fig.2] is a schematic cross-sectional view referenced II-II on [Fig.1]. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] Figures 1 and 2 represent a metallic card 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The metallic card 1 may be a payment card, such as a debit or credit card, an identification card, a loyalty card, a membership card, a health care card, a security card, etc.

[0041] The metal card 1, for example, has the ID-1 dimensions of a credit card as defined in ISO / IEC 7810, namely 85.60 x 53.98 x 0.76 mm. Of course, other formats can be considered depending on the type of card.

[0042] By definition, the metal card 1 comprises a metal substrate 2.

[0043] The metallic substrate 2 has a plate shape, which here is substantially rectangular with rounded corners.

[0044] The metallic substrate 2 is for example made of tungsten, aluminium, iron, steel, copper, gold, silver, or any alloy comprising at least one of them.

[0045] The metallic substrate 2 has a first face 4 and a second face 5 opposite to the first face.

[0046] Each of the first face 4 and the second face 5 of the metallic substrate 2 is substantially flat.

[0047] The metallic substrate 2 has a thickness, that is to say the distance between the first face 4 and the second face 5, substantially constant, which is here between 300 pm and 500 pm.

[0048] The first face 4 of the metallic substrate 2 comprises three distinct zones, namely a first zone 6, a second zone 7 and a third zone 8.

[0049] In the example shown, the first zone 6 is juxtaposed to the second zone 7, and the second zone 7 is juxtaposed to the third zone 8.

[0050] The three zones 6, 7, 8 here occupy the entire first face 4 of the metallic substrate 2. Of course, these zones could represent only a part of the first face of the metallic substrate.

[0051] The metal card 1 further includes a coating 10 which is deposited on at least a part of the first face 4 of the metal substrate 2.

[0052] The coating 10 is configured to give the impression that part of the first face 4 of the metallic substrate 2 has been machined so as to reveal a raised, unmachined shape.

[0053] The coating 10 thus makes it possible to obtain a visual effect similar to that obtained by machining techniques by printing layers on the metallic substrate 2.

[0054] The coating 10 here covers the entire first face 4 of the metallic substrate 2.

[0055] In an unillustrated variant, the coating covers only part of the first face of the metallic substrate.

[0056] In particular, the coating 10 comprises a first stack 12 covering the first zone 6 of the first face 4 of the metallic substrate 2.

[0057] The first stack 12 comprises a colored ink layer 13.

[0058] The coating 10 further comprises a second stack 15 covering the second zone 7 of the first face 4 of the metallic substrate 2.

[0059] In this embodiment, the second stack 15 comprises a layer of black ink 16 and a layer of glossy varnish 17 covering the black ink layer, so that the black ink layer is located between the first face 4 of the metallic substrate 2 and the glossy varnish layer 17.

[0060] In an unillustrated variant, the second stack does not include a layer of black ink.

[0061] The coating 10 further comprises a third stack 18 covering the third zone 8 of the first face 4 of the metallic substrate 2.

[0062] The third stack 18 is translucent and has a layer of varnish 19, which is for example matte or satin.

[0063] The first stack 12 is juxtaposed with the second stack 15, and the second stack is juxtaposed with the third stack 18. The stacks 12, 15, 18 here cover the entire first face 4 of the metallic substrate 2.

[0064] As can be seen in [Fig.1], the coating 10 forms a pattern comprising at least three distinct parts, namely a first part 22 comprising at least the first stack 12 of the coating 10, a second part 24 comprising the second stack 15 of the coating 10, and a third part 26 being formed by at least the third zone 8 of the first face 4 of the metallic substrate 2.

[0065] In the example shown, the first part 22 of the motif has a circular shape.

[0066] The second part 24 of the motif is located between the first part 22 of the motif and the third part 26 of the motif.

[0067] The third part 26 of the motif surrounds the first part 22 and the second part 24 of the motif.

[0068] The second part 24 of the pattern defines a line which surrounds the first part 24 of the pattern.

[0069] The second part 24 here has an annular shape.

[0070] The first part 22 has a first color, the second part 24 has a second color and the third part 26 has a third color.

[0071] The first color, the second color, and the third color are contrasted with each other.

[0072] It should be noted that color contrast is understood here in the context of human visual perception. According to the CIE 1976 standard defined by the International Commission on Illumination (also denoted as "CIE"), the human eye perceives a color difference when the change exceeds approximately one unit in a CIELAB color space such as "Delta E" (also denoted as "AE"). More precisely, an AE variation of approximately 1.0 is considered the threshold at which an average human eye begins to discern a difference between two colors.

[0073] Due to the translucency of the third stack 16, the third color of the third part 26 of the pattern is close to, or even similar to, the color of the metallic substrate 2. In other words, the AE between the color of the third zone 8 of the first face 4 and the third color of the third part 26 of the pattern is less than 1.0.

[0074] The first part 22 and the second part 24 can be colored in shades of the same chromatic range as the first face 4 of the metallic substrate 2.

[0075] For example, if the metallic substrate 2 is gray, the first and second colors may belong to the gray color range. However, the first and second colors must contrast with each other and with the third color. In other words, these colors exhibit different shades of the same color range, which in this case corresponds to gray.

[0076] In the example shown, in which the metallic substrate 13 is gray, the ink layer 13 of the first stack 12 comprises, for example, a black ink underlayer and a gray ink underlayer, or a single ink layer comprising a mixture of black and white pigments, so as to produce a gray visual appearance. The white color applied to a metallic surface diffuses the light that reaches it, which reduces the brightness and direct reflection of that metallic surface. Thus, the white color alters the reflection of light on the first face 4 of the metallic substrate 2, thereby making it less bright.

[0077] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the first part 22 of the pattern defines a first overthickness if with respect to the first face 4 of the metallic substrate 2.

[0078] The second part 24 of the pattern defines a second overthickness s2 with respect to the first face 4 of the metallic substrate 2.

[0079] The third part 26 of the pattern defines a third overthickness s3 with respect to the first face 4 of the metallic substrate 2.

[0080] In the example shown, the first overthickness si and the second overthickness s2 are less than the third overthickness s3.

[0081] In an unshown variant, one of the first and second thicknesses is less than the third thickness, while the other of the first and second thicknesses is equal to the third thickness. In another shown variant, the first and second thicknesses are equal to the third thickness.

[0082] Thus, the coating 10 makes it possible to achieve a visual effect of relative relief between the first and second parts and the third part of the pattern.

[0083] Here, the first part 22 and the second part 24 appear to protrude while the third part 26 appears to be recessed.

[0084] This visual impression of relief and depth is obtained by the contrast between the colors of the different parts of the pattern and is accentuated by the differences in light reflection of each of these parts, which is determined by the layers of varnish or layers of ink.

[0085] It is also possible, depending on the arrangement of the ink and varnish layers, for a first part of the design to define a first raised area, for a second part of the design to define a second raised area less than the first, and for the first part to appear raised while the second part appears recessed. Although this effect may seem natural, the visual impression of relief exceeds the actual difference in thickness between the parts. Indeed, this difference in thickness, generally on the order of a few micrometers, is in itself too small to be identifiable with the naked eye, and this impression of relative relief is mainly produced by differences in color.

[0086] Since the third part 26 of the pattern is formed by the third zone 8 of the first metal face 4 of the metal substrate 2, it is possible to give the visual impression that this third part 26 has been machined so as to be recessed in relation to the first and second parts 22, 24 of the pattern.

[0087] By selecting the first and second colour in the same chromatic range as that of the third part 26 (the third colour), it is possible to create the illusion that the third part was machined from the same surface as the first part 22 of the pattern or the second part 24 of the pattern.

[0088] Furthermore, thanks to the difference in thickness between the parts of the motif, in particular between the first and second parts 22, 24 and the third part 26, the part or parts which appear to be in relief may in fact have a thickness less than or equal to the other part(s), in order to avoid degradation when using the metal card 1.

[0089] Finally, it should be noted that the difference in texture between the glossy varnish layer and the matte or satin varnish layer accentuates the visual effects of relative relief. The observed visual effect, whether positive (protrusion) or negative (recess), depends on the observer's visual adaptation and the arrangement of the stacks. This effect is particularly visible when the stacks are placed side by side.

[0090] Moreover, although differences in thickness between the layers may contribute to this visual effect, it is mainly the difference in color between the parts that gives the visual impression of relief.

Claims

Demands

1. Metal card containing: - at least one metallic substrate (2), the metallic substrate (2) having a first face (4) in metal and a second face (5) opposite the first face (4), the first face (4) of the metallic substrate (2) comprising at least three distinct zones (6, 7, 8), at least one zone of the three zones (6, 7, 8) being juxtaposed to two other zones of the three zones (6, 7, 8), - at least one coating (10) deposited on the first metal face (4) of the metallic substrate (2) and comprising: • a first stack (12) covering a first area (6) and comprising an ink layer (13), and • a second stack (15) covering a second area (7) and comprising a layer of varnish (17), the first and second stacks (12, 15) being juxtaposed to one another, the coating (10) forming with the metallic substrate (2) a pattern comprising at least three distinct parts (22, 24, 26), namely: - a first part (22) comprising at least the first stack (12) of the coating (10) and having a first color, - a second part (24) comprising the second stack (15) of the coating (10) and having a second color, and - a third part (26) formed by at least a third zone (8) of the first face (4) of the metallic substrate (2) and having a third color, the first color, the second color and the third color being contrasted with each other.

2. A card according to claim 1, characterized in that the ink layer (13) of the first stack (12) of the coating (10) comprises a black ink underlayer and a white ink underlayer, or in that the ink of the ink layer (13) of the first stacking (12) of the coating (10) comprises a mixture of black pigments and white pigments.

3. Card according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second stack (15) further comprises a layer of glossy varnish (17).

4. Card according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second stack (15) further comprises a layer of black ink (16).

5. A card according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first color, the second color and the third color have different shades of the same chromatic range.

6. Card according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the coating (10) comprises a third stack (18) covering the third area of ​​the first face (4) of the metallic substrate (2), the third part (26) of the pattern comprising the third stack (18).

7. Card according to claim 6, characterized in that the third coating (18) is translucent.

8. Card according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the third stack (18) comprises a layer of varnish.

9. Card according to claim 8, characterized in that the third stack (18) comprises a layer of matte or satin varnish.

10. Card according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the varnish layer of the third stack (18) is textured.

11. A card according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the first part (22) of the pattern defines a first overthickness (si) with respect to the first face (4) of the metallic substrate (2), the second part (24) of the pattern defines a second overthickness (s2) with respect to the first face (4) of the metallic substrate (2), the third part (26) of the pattern defines a third overthickness (s3) with respect to the first face (4) of the metallic substrate (2), at least one of the first overthickness (si) and the second overthickness (s2) being less than or equal to the third overthickness (s3).

12. Map according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the second part (24) of the pattern is located between the first part (22) of the pattern and the third part (26) of the pattern.

13. Map according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the third part (26) of the pattern surrounds the first part (22) and the second part (24) of the pattern.

14. Map according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the second part (24) of the pattern defines a line surrounding the first part (22) of the pattern.

15. Card according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the metallic substrate (2) comprises a metal plate having a thickness between 300 and 500 µm.