Abstract: A desktop plastic card printer that is configured to allow installation of a smart card cartridge within an interior space of the printer housing through an opening, for example an opening in a side wall, in the printer housing. Both the mechanical installation and electrical installation of the smart card cartridge occurs via the opening. This allows the desktop plastic card printer to be quickly and easily retrofitted to have the ability to electronically read data from and/or electronically program data on an integrated circuit chip of a plastic card. The retrofitting can take place without using any mechanical tools and without having to remove the entire, or a substantial portion of, the printer housing.

Abstract: A desktop plastic card printer that is configured to allow installation of a smart card cartridge within an interior space of the printer housing through an opening, for example an opening in a side wall, in the printer housing. Both the mechanical installation and electrical installation of the smart card cartridge occurs via the opening. This allows the desktop plastic card printer to be quickly and easily retrofitted to have the ability to electronically read data from and/or electronically program data on an integrated circuit chip of a plastic card. The retrofitting can take place without using any mechanical tools and without having to remove the entire, or a substantial portion of, the printer housing.

Abstract: A plastic card printer that is provided with a printhead guard that is movable between a covering position, where the printhead guard covers one or more sensitive portions of a printhead of the plastic card printer, and a non-covering position, where the printhead guard does not cover the one or more sensitive portions of the printhead thereby allowing the printhead to perform a printing function on a plastic card. The printhead guard can be at the covering position when the printhead is at a non-printing position, for example during servicing of the card printer, to protect the one or more sensitive elements when the printhead is at the non-printing position, and the printhead guard can be at the non-covering position when the printhead is at a printing position where the printhead is ready to perform printing.

Abstract: An impresser mechanism that is configured to create impressions on plastic cards. The impresser mechanism includes an anvil that is configured to resiliently support the plastic card while the impression is formed on the plastic card by a die. By resiliently supporting the plastic card while the impression is created, the resulting impression on the plastic card is substantially evened out.

Abstract: A plastic card printer that is provided with a printhead guard that is movable between a covering position, where the printhead guard covers one or more sensitive portions of a printhead of the plastic card printer, and a non-covering position, where the printhead guard does not cover the one or more sensitive portions of the printhead thereby allowing the printhead to perform a printing function on a plastic card. The printhead guard can be at the covering position when the printhead is at a non-printing position, for example during servicing of the card printer, to protect the one or more sensitive elements when the printhead is at the non-printing position, and the printhead guard can be at the non-covering position when the printhead is at a printing position where the printhead is ready to perform printing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for de-bowing personalized cards which includes a first contact member. The first contact member can be positioned for contacting a personalized card received by the apparatus and for displacing the personalized card against a bow occurring therein. The first contact member contacts and displaces a portion of the personalized card on one side of the personalized card and at an area that is generally centered horizontally and vertically. A second contact member can be supported by the frame for contacting the personalized card on a side opposite the first contact member. The second contact member being arranged and configured to contact an opposite side of the personalized card at a plurality of positions proximate the perimeter of the personalized card. In this manner, the first and second contact members cooperate to bend substantially the entire surface area of the personalized card against the occurring bow.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for laminating personalized cards, which includes a frame that supports a supply spindle for delivering a patch film disposed on a web to a personalized card. The frame supports a platen structure for affixing a portion of the patch film to a portion of one side of the personalized card when the supply spindle delivers the patch film to the personalized card. The frame supports a take-up spindle for receiving the web after the patch film has been delivered to the personalized card. The frame supports a lamination assembly for laminating the entire patch film to the entire side of the personalized card after the personalized card has had the patch partially affixed thereto.

Abstract: A mini patch that is laminated over a portion of an identification document surface that is significantly less than the entire surface area. The mini patch can cover a specific area of personalized information on the document surface to protect the personalized information from wear and tampering. For example, the mini patch can cover a photograph, leaving the remainder of the surface uncovered.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for laminating personalized cards, which includes a frame that supports a supply spindle for delivering a patch film disposed on a web to a personalized card. The frame supports a platen structure for affixing a portion of the patch film to a portion of one side of the personalized card when the supply spindle delivers the patch film to the personalized card. The frame supports a take-up spindle for receiving the web after the patch film has been delivered to the personalized card. The frame supports a lamination assembly for laminating the entire patch film to the entire side of the personalized card after the personalized card has had the patch partially affixed thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for de-bowing personalized cards which includes a first contact member. The first contact member can be positioned for contacting a personalized card received by the apparatus and for displacing the personalized card against a bow occurring therein. The first contact member contacts and displaces a portion of the personalized card on one side of the personalized card and at an area that is generally centered horizontally and vertically. A second contact member can be supported by the frame for contacting the personalized card on a side opposite the first contact member. The second contact member being arranged and configured to contact an opposite side of the personalized card at a plurality of positions proximate the perimeter of the personalized card. In this manner, the first and second contact members cooperate to bend substantially the entire surface area of the personalized card against the occurring bow.