Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for embossing a flexible substrate. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for embossing a curable composition coated flexible substrate with an optically variable image transferred from an embossing foil, especially belt, or sheet of an optically transparent fluoropolymer. The optically variable image is irradiated through the embossing belt, or sheet with ultraviolet light contemporaneously with the embossing so that the transferred imprint pattern cures, hardens, and retains its shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for embossing a flexible substrate. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for embossing a curable composition coated flexible substrate with an optically variable image transferred from an embossing foil, especially belt, or sheet of an optically transparent fluoropolymer. The optically variable image is irradiated through the embossing belt, or sheet with ultra-violet light contemporaneously with the embossing so that the transferred imprint pattern cures, hardens, and retains its shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a duplicated shim and the duplicated shim obtainable by the method. The duplicated (UV-cured) shim, independent of any carrying device (like a cylinder or belt), can be applied directly to the surface of the transfer roller (and impart the surface OVD structure into a clear lacquer) in a similar way to conventional nickel shims.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of printing, an apparatus for printing and to products obtained therefrom. In particular, the present invention relates to optically variable images, or devices applied to a substrate, such as a hologram, kinegram and the like. More particularly, the present invention concerns sub-microscopic, holographic, electron beam, mechanically ruled or other diffraction or straight line gratings.

Abstract: A composite sheet having the capability of having embossed therein a holographic image or diffraction grating image has a structure of multiple layers including a plastic film carrier, lacquer, metal and, optionally, a lacquer overlay. It may be adhered to a substrate without the necessity of removing the plastic film carrier and may have a holographic image embossed therein during the step of adhering or in a separate operation at a different time and may have printing applied to the layer of metal or to the lacquer overlay.

Abstract: A composite sheet having the capability of having embossed therein a holographic image or diffraction grating image having a structure of multiple layers including a plastic film carrier, lacquer, metal and wax or siloxane. It may be adhered to a substrate by heating, pressing or stamping without the necessity of removing the plastic film carrier and may have a holographic image embossed therein during the step of heat pressing or stamping or in a separate operation at a different time.

Abstract: A composite sheet having the capability of having embossed therein a holographic image or diffraction grating image has a structure of multiple layers including a plastic film carrier, lacquer, metal and, optionally, a lacquer overlay. It may be adhered to a substrate without the necessity of removing the plastic film carrier and may have a holographic image embossed therein during the step of adhering or in a separate operation at a different time and may have printing applied to the layer of metal or to the lacquer overlay.

Abstract: A foil/composite sheet having a holographic image or diffraction grating image and a method for forming permits the party producing the final document to hot stamp a chip containing the holographic image directly on a substrate forming the major portion of the final document. The foil/composite sheet includes successively a plastic carrier film, a release coating, a hard lacquer coating, a soft lacquer coating, a layer of metal and an embossment receiving coating, the latter three of which become embossed with the holographic image when a heated embossing shim is pressed under pressure against the embossment receiving layer. A heat activatable adhesive is thereafter applied to the embossment receiving coating.

Abstract: A plastic foil for hot leaf stamping includes a layer of metal having a thickness in the range of 20 millimicrons to 100 millimicrons, a lacquer coating having a thickness in the range of 0.5 microns to 3 microns and a heat activatible adhesive. The metal layer lacquer coating and heat activatible adhesive are caused to be adhered to the substrate forming the final article during a stamping operation which releases said metal layer, lacquer coating and heat activatible adhesive from a plastic carrier film to which had initially been applied. Methods for forming such foil and for forming a decoration image on a substrate using such foil are also provided.

Abstract: A holographic article and method for forming permits the party producing the final document to print the holographic image directly on the final document thereby permitting such party to retain and maintain control of its own embossing shim on which the hologram has been formed and which is utilized for embossing the holographic image on the document. A film upon which a holographic image can be directly stamped upon the final document includes a layer of metal having a thickness in the range of 20 millimicrons to 100 millimicrons, a lacquer coating having a thickness in the range of 0.5 microns to 3 microns and a heat activatible adhesive. The metal layer lacquer coating and heat activatible adhesive are caused to be adhered to the substrate forming the final document during a stamping operation which releases said metal layer, lacquer coating and heat activatible adhesive from a plastic carrier film to which had initially been applied.

Abstract: A foil/composite sheet which either (1) is suitable for use in directly forming a holographic image or diffraction grating image on a document substrate or (2) has a holographic image or diffraction grating image embossed in the composite sheet such that a party producing the final document may hot stamp a chip containing the holographic image directly on a substrate forming the major portion of the final document. The composite sheet is characterized in that it has a sufficient degree of transparency to permit a person viewing the holographic image or diffraction grating image of such composite sheet or chip therefrom affixed to a printed substrate to readily see the printing through the holographic image or diffraction grating image.

Abstract: A plastic foil for hot leaf stamping includes a layer of metal having a thickness in the range of 20 millimicrons to 100 millimicrons, a lacquer coating having a thickness in the range of 0.5 microns to 3 microns and a heat activatible adhesive. The metal layer lacquer coating and heat activatible adhesive are caused to be adhered to the substrate forming the final article during a stamping operation which releases said metal layer, lacquer coating and heat activatible adhesive from a plastic carrier film to which had initially been applied. Methods for forming such foil and for forming a decoration image on a substrate using such foil are also provided.

Abstract: A holographic article and method for forming permits the party producing the final document to print the holographic image directly on the final document thereby permitting such party to retain and maintain control of his own embossing shim on which the hologram has been formed and which is utilized for embossing the holographic image on the document. A film upon which a holographic image can be directly stamped upon the final document includes a layer of metal having a thickness in the range of 20 millimicrons to 100 millimicrons, a lacquer coating having a thickness in the range of 0.5 microns to 3 microns and a heat activatible adhesive. The metal layer lacquer coating and heat activatible adhesive are caused to be adhered to the substrate forming the final document during a stamping operation which releases said metal layer, lacquer coating and heat activatible adhesive from a plastic carrier film to which they had initially been applied.

Abstract: A foil/composite sheet having a holographic image or diffraction grating image and a method for forming permits the party producing the final document to hot stamp a chip containing the holographic image directly on a substrate forming the major portion of the final document. The foil/composite sheet includes successively a plastic carrier film, a release coating, a hard lacquer coating, a soft lacquer coating, a layer of metal and an embossment receiving coating, the latter three of which become embossed with the holographic image when a heated embossing shim is pressed under pressure against the embossment receiving layer. A heat activatable adhesive is thereafter applied to the embossment receiving coating.

Abstract: A holographic article and method for forming permits the party producing the final document to print the holographic image directly on the final document thereby permitting such party to retain and maintain control of its own embossing shim on which the hologram has been formed and which is utilized for embossing the holographic image on the document. A film upon which a holographic image can be directly stamped upon the final document includes a layer of metal having a thickness in the range of 20 millimicrons to 100 millimicrons, a lacquer coating having a thickness in the range of 0.5 microns to 3 microns and a heat activatible adhesive. The metal layer lacquer coating and heat activatible adhesive are caused to be adhered to the substrate forming the final document during a stamping operation which releases said metal layer, lacquer coating and heat activatible adhesive from a plastic carrier film to which had initially been applied.