Card Manufacturing Method with Protecting Layer for Ink Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sublimation ink used in card manufacturing tends to fade quickly when exposed to light, especially when overlaid with invisible ink, leading to a shortened card lifespan due to accelerated color degradation.
Innovation Solution
A card manufacturing method and apparatus that utilize an intermediate transfer film with a protecting layer and ink receptor layer, where sublimation ink and invisible ink areas are separated by a protecting layer to prevent direct contact and exposure to fluorescence, using a card manufacturing apparatus with detection and feeding units to control the transfer process, ensuring the sublimation ink is not directly exposed to the invisible ink's fluorescence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sublimation ink and invisible ink are printed in the same area of the card, then the card can display both visible and invisible information, but the sublimation ink fades quickly when exposed to ultraviolet light for confirming invisible ink information
Solution Approach 1:
The card surface is divided into separate areas: one for sublimation ink printing and another for invisible ink printing. This spatial segmentation prevents the sublimation ink from being exposed to ultraviolet light during the confirmation process, thereby preventing color fading while still allowing both types of information to be displayed on the card.
Solution Approach 2:
A protective layer is introduced as an intermediary between the sublimation ink and the invisible ink. This protective layer acts as a barrier that blocks ultraviolet light from reaching the sublimation ink when the card is exposed to ultraviolet light for confirming invisible ink information, thus preventing color fading while maintaining the card's functionality.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a protecting layer is added to protect sublimation ink from fading, then the card lifespan is extended, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The protective layer is combined with the invisible ink printing process. The protective layer is applied to the card surface in the same manufacturing step where the invisible ink is printed, rather than as a separate additional step. This merging of processes protects the sublimation ink from fading while minimizing the increase in manufacturing complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively reduces the light-induced fading of sublimation ink, extending the card's usable life by preventing direct contact between the sublimation and invisible inks, thus maintaining image quality and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a sublimation-ink image forming process of transferring a plurality of sublimation inks in the sublimation-ink areas of the ink film to the ink receptor layer in the first transcriptional region of the intermediate transfer film in superimposition, thereby forming a sublimation-ink image in the intermediate transfer film
Implementation Method 2
an invisible-ink image forming process of transferring an invisible ink in the invisible-ink area of the ink film to the ink receptor layer in the second transcriptional region of the intermediate transfer film, thereby forming an invisible-ink image in the intermediate transfer film
Data Source
AI summary
A card manufacturing method for manufacturing the card and a card manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the card are provided. The card 51 includes a card base 1, a first receptor layer 1a arranged on one side of the card base 1 to contain a sublimation-ink image 8, a protecting layer OC1 laminated on the first receptor layer 1a and an invisible-ink image 10 formed on the protecting layer OC1. Owing to the interposition of the protecting layer OC1 between the sublimation-ink image 8 and the invisible-ink image 10, the card 51 is capable of suppressing color fading of a sublimation ink in the image 8 in spite of a card structure where the sublimation ink and an invisible ink are printed so as to overlap each other, allowing the card 51 to be used for a long time.