Abstract: A card-flipping device for a card printing apparatus is provided. The card-flipping device comprises a card-carrier unit for transporting the card in a vertical direction, a motor drive means for moving the unit in the vertical direction, and an actuator assembly including a rotatable cam arm for flipping the card over. The card-flipping device is particularly suitable for use in thermal dye printers that print images on card substrates such as driver's licenses, employee badges, student cards, and the like. After one surface of the card has been printed, the card is conveyed to the card-flipping device, where the card is flipped over so that the reverse, unprinted side of the card can be printed thereon.

Abstract: A card-flipping device for a card printing apparatus is provided. The card-flipping device comprises a card-carrier unit for transporting the card in a vertical direction, a motor drive means for moving the unit in the vertical direction, and an actuator assembly including a rotatable cam arm for flipping the card over. The card-flipping device is particularly suitable for use in thermal dye printers that print images on card substrates such as driver's licenses, employee badges, student cards, and the like. After one surface of the card has been printed, the card is conveyed to the card-flipping device, where the card is flipped over so that the reverse, unprinted side of the card can be printed thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides counterfeit resistant ID cards where a microprinting security feature is applied to the card at the time and place of card issuance. The present invention further provides for an ID card that includes microprinted security information including a code by which the authenticity of the ID card can be cross verified. In accordance with the present invention a microprint text in a grayscale gradient is placed onto an ID card using a high accuracy multi-pass thermal printing technology. In using the process of the present invention, a three pass thermal printer is used that is configured to such a high tolerance, that the grayscale gradient microprinting is possible without producing significant artifacts. When this technique is applied, any imperfections that result from the use of lower quality printing equipment become immediately identifiable reducing the ability of counterfeiters to produce fake or altered ID cards.

Abstract: The present invention provides a counterfeit resistant ID card where a printed security feature is applied to the ID card at the issuance location at the time the card is issued. Specifically, the present invention provides for a process of producing an ID card having a unique imbedded security code that is generated and specifically matched to the particular ID card being printed and is applied at the time and place that the card is issued thereby providing a code by which the authenticity of the ID card can be cross verified. Verification is completed by comparing the code on the ID card to the date stamped log of all ID cards printed by the printer at the issuance location. Each entry in the log is encoded with a unique code number that corresponds to the specific print job and more importantly to the specific ID card printed.

Abstract: A process for printing ID cards having a uniquely encoded security authentication component, where an ID card is created having a unique covert code embedded thereon that includes a verifiable fingerprint, which allows the card to be authenticated. A code is included into the image printed on the face of the card that contains important and relevant information pertaining to the time and place of card issue such as the printer manufacturer, issuing authority, time at which the card was printed, date when the card was printed and the printer serial number. The code uses specifically identified printed pixels in a predictable location on the face of the ID card. The pixels in the code location have specific colors that correspond to numbers.

Abstract: A two-sided card laminating apparatus simultaneously applies and bonds laminate sheets to opposing faces of a two-sided card substrate. The apparatus includes two opposing laminating assemblies symmetrically mounted in mirror image relation on opposing sides of a substrate supply path. Individual sheets of laminate are cut from webs of lamina and transferred onto the card substrate at a convergence zone disposed on the substrate supply path. Each of the laminating assemblies includes a web of lamina, a cutter, and nip rollers disposed between the web and the cutter. The nip rollers advance the web in an upstream direction through the cutter into engagement with a transfer roller. As the laminate exits the cutter, the leading edge is captured between the outer surface of the transfer roller and a laminate guide where it is grabbed by the outer surface of the transfer roller.

Abstract: A two-sided card laminating apparatus simultaneously applies and bonds laminate sheets to opposing faces of a two-sided card substrate. The apparatus includes two opposing laminating assemblies symmetrically mounted in mirror image relation on opposing sides of a substrate supply path. Individual sheets of laminate are cut from webs of lamina and transferred onto the card substrate at a convergence zone disposed on the substrate supply path. Each of the laminating assemblies includes a web of lamina, a cutter, and nip rollers disposed between the web and the cutter. The nip rollers advance the web in an upstream direction through the cutter into engagement with a transfer roller. As the laminate exits the cutter, the leading edge is captured between the outer surface of the transfer roller and a laminate guide where it is grabbed by the outer surface of the transfer roller.

Abstract: An identification booklet including a backing and a printed cover film having identification indicia printed thereon is automatically printed and assembled by an apparatus including means for holding the booklet in an open position with the backing exposed, printing means for printing indicia onto an inner surface of the cover film, transport means including an insertion blade rotatably mounted thereon, the insertion blade including a damp for holding the cover film in place thereon, die-cut means for cutting the cover film to a predetermined size while the cover film is held in place on the insertion blade by the clamp, to form the identification card and fusing means for fusing the identification card and the backing together.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing and laminating plastic cards consists of a thermal transfer printing station including ribbon and a thermal printhead for printing an image on a receptor surface of a receptor card, a laminating station including laminating film and a heated laminating roller mounted for engagement with said receptor surface of said receptor card during a laminating operation, and a guided carriage for transporting the receptor card beneath the printhead and the heated laminating roller. The carriage includes a resilient surface for receiving the receptor card with a receptor surface facing upwardly. The carriage is guided on a pair of rails to insure proper registration and tracking of the receptor card. The carriage is driven by a threaded rod which passes through a threaded bore in the carriage wherein rotation of the threaded rod by a motor causes movement of the carriage along the guide rails.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing and laminating plastic cards consists of a thermal transfer printing station including ribbon and a thermal printhead for printing an image on a receptor surface of a receptor card, a laminating station including laminating film and a heated laminating roller mounted for engagement with the receptor surface of the receptor card during a laminating operation, and a guided carriage for transporting the receptor card beneath the printhead and the heated laminating roller. The carriage includes a resilient surface for receiving the receptor card with a receptor surface facing upwardly. The carriage is guided on a pair of rails to insure proper registration and tracking of the receptor card. The carriage is driven by a threaded rod which passes through a threaded bore in the carriage wherein rotation of the threaded rod by a motor causes movement of the carriage along the guide rails.

Abstract: A die-punch cutting apparatus for a continuous web thermal printer consists of a die body having a longitudinal I-shaped cutting opening and a punch body having a longitudinal I-shaped cutting blade which is slidably received in interfitting engagement within the I-shaped cutting opening of the die body. The I-shaped cutting opening and cutting blade include first and second spaced longitudinal cutting edges symmetrically disposed on opposing sides of a longitudinal centerline, and further include terminal end portions which are outwardly rounded in configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing and laminating plastic cards consists of a thermal transfer printing station including ribbon and a thermal printhead for printing an image on a receptor surface of a receptor card, a laminating station including laminating film and a heated laminating roller mounted for engagement with said receptor surface of said receptor card during a laminating operation, and a guided carriage for transporting the receptor card beneath the printhead and the heated laminating roller. The carriage includes a resilient surface for receiving the receptor card with a receptor surface facing upwardly. The carriage is guided on a pair of rails to insure proper registration and tracking of the receptor card. The carriage is driven by a threaded rod which passes through a threaded bore in the carriage wherein rotation of the threaded rod by a motor causes movement of the carriage along the guide rails.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing plastic cards consists of a thermal transfer printing station including ribbon and a thermal printhead for printing an image on a receptor surface of a receptor card, and a guided carriage for transporting the receptor card beneath the thermal printhead. The carriage includes a resilient surface for receiving the receptor card with a receptor surface facing upwardly. The carriage is guided on a pair of rails, and is driven by a threaded rod which passes through a threaded bore in the carriage, wherein rotation of the threaded rod by a motor causes movement of the carriage along the guide rails. The apparatus further includes a hopper for storing a plurality of cards for printing, and a cleaning station for cleaning the receptor surface of the card prior to printing. The threaded-rod driven carriage insures proper registration and tracking of the receptor card as it passes underneath the printhead.

Abstract: A system for the automated production of an identification card includes a two-part security media and apparatus for printing, laminating and die-cutting the security media to form discrete identification cards. The two-part security media includes a continuous web of an opaque backing film, and a continuous web of a clear cover film which acts as a receptor for receiving a thermally printed digital card image. A first thermal web printer is operative for printing a reversed digital card image onto an inner surface of the cover film adjacent a terminal end thereof. A second thermal web printer prints a second image onto the back of the backing film at a terminal end thereof. The printed ends of the backing and cover films are advanced to a cutting station wherein they are aligned in overlying relation and severed from their webs.

Abstract: A wide-format thermal plotting apparatus includes a single platen roller and a plurality of thermal print heads arranged in first and second diametrically opposed rows on the platen roller, the second row having at least one more print head than the first row. More specifically, the rows are arranged in upper and lower opposed relation so that the first, or lower row supports the force applied by the upper row plus the weight of the platen roller, thereby preventing bowing thereof. A supply of print media is sequentially threaded through the first and second rows of print heads, wrapping around the platen roller so that the second or upper row is the downstream printing row. The print heads are arranged in alternating relation between the rows such that print lines of print heads in alternate rows abut or overlap each other with respect to the width of print media.

Abstract: A three-pass thermal color printer for printing a color image on a continuous web of thermal print media consists of a thermal printhead having an upstream side adjacent the roll of print media and an opposite downstream side. The printer further consists of an associated printhead platen, and a set of drive rollers positioned between the printhead and the roll of print media. The drive rollers are operative for drawing the print media through the printhead in an upstream direction, i.e. toward the roll of print media, and advancing the print media in a downstream direction. In operation, the drive rollers draw the print media in an upstream direction whereby the printhead prints an image on the print media starting from a mid-point on the print media to the terminal end thereof. The drive rollers then advance the print media in a downstream direction so that the next printing operation can be overlayed onto the first printed image.

Abstract: A slidable transport assembly is provided for a single-pass multi-color thermal printer including a plurality of platen rollers mounted in spaced relation, a web of receptor media received around the platen rollers, a plurality of print heads each mounted in corresponding relation to a respective platen roller, and a pair of drive rollers. The slidable transport assembly consists of a frame having a pair of spaced walls, a base for supporting the frame, a tray mounted on the base for holding the receptor media, and a slide rail for slidably supporting the base. The platen rollers and the drive rollers are mounted between the wall of the frame for integral movement thereof. The transport system is slidably movable between a printing position wherein the platen rollers are positioned beneath the print heads for printing, and a withdrawn position wherein the platen rollers are slidably withdrawn from beneath the print heads for receptor media loading.

Abstract: A removable cassette assembly is provided for mounting thermal transfer ribbon in a single-pass multi-color thermal printer. The thermal printer includes a platen roller, a web of receptor media received around the platen roller, a thermal print head, a cantilever support for mounting the print head in corresponding relation to the platen roller, and a pair of drive rollers for advancing the receptor media. The cassette assembly consists of a cassette body, a supply roll for storing a length of unused thermal transfer ribbon, a take-up roll for taking up used ribbon. The rolls are mounted for rotation on the cassette body and the cassette body is received onto the cantilever support for positioning of the ribbon between the print head and the receptor media. The ribbon is driven through the print nip by friction between the receptor media and the print head. The take-up roll engages with a drive motor when the cassette is received onto the cantilever for driving take-up of the ribbon.

Abstract: A pivotable mounting assembly for a thermal print head enables the print head to spherically pivot with respect to its associated support arm. The print head is attached to a mounting head and an associated support arm is attached to a cantilever support. A spherical bearing assembly interconnects the mounting head with the support arm and enables the print head to spherically pivot with respect to the support arm. The spherical bearing connection equalizes tangential pressure when the print head is biased against a platen roller. The mounting assembly further includes sub-assemblies for adjusting the rotational and front-to-back alignment of the print head dot line with respect to the support arm, as well as the side-to-side registration of the dot line.

Abstract: A two-sided card laminating apparatus simultaneously applies and bonds laminate sheets to opposing faces of a two-sided card substrate. The apparatus includes two opposing laminating assemblies symmetrically mounted in mirror image relation on opposing sides of a substrate supply path. A web of lamina is Individual sheets of laminate are cut from webs of lamina and transferred onto the card substrate at a convergence zone disposed on the substrate supply path. Each of the laminating assemblies includes a web of lamina, a cutter, and nip rollers disposed between the web and the cutter. The nip rollers advance the web in an upstream direction through the cutter into engagement with a transfer roller. As the laminate exits the cutter, the leading edge is captured between the outer surface of the transfer roller and a laminate guide where it is grabbed by the outer surface of the transfer roller.