Abstract: A dual-interface smart card comprises an integrated circuit (IC) module coupled to a plastic card body. The IC module includes multiple downwardly facing, externally exposed contact pads that are electrically coupled to corresponding externally exposed sections of a radio frequency (RF) antenna incorporated into the card body. Each contact pad is electrically connected to the RF antenna by a pair of opposing, stapled-shaped, conductive elements, with one conductive element being permanently welded to the contact pad and the other permanently welded to the antenna. Each conductive element includes a pair of resilient spring arms that maintain electrical connection between the contact pad and the antenna even upon movement of the IC module relative to the card body. To provide further redundancy of connection between each contact pad and the antenna, the resilient spring arms of the opposing conductive elements are encapsulated with a supply of conductive filler material.

Abstract: A dual-interface smart card comprises an integrated circuit (IC) module coupled to a plastic card body. The IC module includes multiple contact pads that are electrically coupled to corresponding sections of a radio frequency (RF) antenna incorporated into the card body. Each contact pad is electrically connected to the RF antenna by a pair of opposing conductive elements, with one conductive element being permanently welded to the contact pad and the other permanently welded to the antenna. Each conductive element is in the form of a multi-stranded braided wire that is frayed at each end, the frayed ends of opposing conductive elements entangling each other upon assembly to establish redundant, resilient electrical connection between the contact pad and the antenna. To further increase the reliability of the connection between each contact pad and the antenna, the entangled frayed ends of opposing conductive elements are encapsulated within a conductive filler material.

Abstract: A dual-interface smart card comprises an integrated circuit (IC) module coupled to a plastic card body. The IC module includes multiple downwardly facing, externally exposed contact pads that are electrically coupled to corresponding externally exposed sections of a radio frequency (RF) antenna incorporated into the card body. Each contact pad is electrically connected to the RF antenna by a pair of opposing, stapled-shaped, conductive elements, with one conductive element being permanently welded to the contact pad and the other permanently welded to the antenna. Each conductive element includes a pair of resilient spring arms that maintain electrical connection between the contact pad and the antenna even upon movement of the IC module relative to the card body. To provide further redundancy of connection between each contact pad and the antenna, the resilient spring arms of the opposing conductive elements are encapsulated with a supply of conductive filler material.

Abstract: A process which provides a three-dimensional, light-diffracting pattern comprising a hologram on a surface of a transparent material layer which may be extremely thin and non-self-supporting, and which secures this layer to a document or like substrate, with the pattern-bearing surface facing downwardly (i.e., not exposed), by an adhesive bond having a shear strength greater than that of the transparent layer so that the layer cannot be removed from the surface without being destroyed.

Abstract: A method of impressing a secret pattern on a substrate by the use of an uninked intaglio printing plate having the foreground area with a pattern of ridges and grooves which are distinctively different from the ridges and grooves in a background area enclosing the foreground area. The secret pattern may be observed only a person who is informed as to what pattern he is looking for and how to look at that pattern. Particularly, his line of sight must make a certain angle with the plane of the impressed substrate. The line of sight must also be oriented properly with respect to the background and foreground areas.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching tax stamps to the ends of packages of cigarettes in open cartons. The stamps are fed one at a time from a roll of stamps. The end stamp is cut from the strip and is immediately applied by a heater to the end of a package. The heater remains in contact with the stamp for a preset time. The cartons containing the packages are fed manually. The cutter means and the heater are actuated simultaneously by a switch means which may be operated either manually, or by a cam means which is moved by the carton as it advances past the stamp applying apparatus.

Abstract: A machine for applying tax stamps or like adhesive labels to articles such as cigarette packages arranged in two or more rows in a carton, including mechanism for advancing the carton lengthwise with exposed ends of the packages facing upwardly, and a head disposed above the path of carton advance for transporting a corresponding number of rows of spaced-apart labels into contact with the advancing package ends while the labels and packages are moving in the same direction and at the same velocity.

Abstract: A web of adhesive labels for use with a machine for applying tax stamps or like adhesive labels to articles such as cigarette packages arranged in two or more rows in a carton, including mechanism for advancing the carton lengthwise with exposed ends of the packages facing upwardly, and a head disposed above the path of carton advance for transporting a corresponding number of rows of spaced-apart labels into contact with the advancing package ends while the labels and packages are moving in the same direction and at the same velocity.

Abstract: A security document such as an identification card including a base layer having at least one surface bonded and security markings printed on that surface. The bonded surface is covered by a protective layer including a film of material fused thereto so as to form a matrix encapsulating the printed security markings (which may include a xerographically reproduced photograph).

Abstract: This printing press includes improved mechanism for removing excess ink from the printing plate. The press includes a main frame which supports a plate cylinder, a pressure cylinder vertically above the plate cylinder and a scraper blade which engages one side of the plate cylinder and removes most of the excess ink therefrom. A first auxiliary carriage at said one side of the main frame supports an ink supply mechanism and receptacles for receiving surplus ink removed by the scraper blade. A second auxiliary carriage, at the opposite side of the main frame, supports two wiping webs, their supply and take-up reels, and the driving and control mechanism for the webs and their reels. The wiping webs remove any residue of excess ink on the plate. Each auxiliary carriage is lockable in an operating position abutting the main frame, and is movable to a retracted position spaced from the main frame without disturbing the setting of any adjustable element.

Abstract: These documents of value are printed so as to prevent copying, and particularly the counterfeiting of documents of value, with the aid of modern color copiers. For that purpose, part of the material on the document is printed in an ink containing a specularly reflective coloring material, for example, powdered aluminum. The modern color copiers depend upon a color analysis of the light absorbed by various parts of the document, and do not reproduce true colors when they encounter specular reflections from the surface of the document being copied. A specular reflection on the surface of the document being copied results in a product from the color copier which does not faithfully follow the colors on the original document, and hence is readily distinguishable from an original.

Abstract: A pressurized ink applicator for an intaglio printing press using viscous stiff-bodied ink is provided with an ink-shearing element or heating element within the applicator nozzle to apply energy to the ink thereby to improve its flow properties immediately before its application to the printing plate of the press. A tight seal between the nozzle and the printing plate is provided by spaced blades resiliently mounted in the nozzle. Ink is forced by air pressure from an ink container into the nozzle. A distributing manifold is provided in the flow path from a plurality of ink containers to the nozzle immediately before multiple parallel restrictions in the ink flow path. An optional sliding valve operating transversely in relation to the ink flow path controllably cuts off the flow of ink, as for example when gaps between printing plate edges pass by the nozzle. The sliding valve is controlled by a cam moving with the printing plate.

Abstract: An imprint of inked intaglio pattern elements such as lines on a document of value or the like, including background portions and readily recognizable image portions each formed by pattern elements of the imprint. The pattern elements forming the image portions differ in orientation or depth from pattern elements forming the background portion to provide variation in contrast between image and background with change in angle of view of the document, the pattern elements being so arranged that the image blends visually with the background from one angle of view but appears as a readily recognizable symbol in clear contrast to the background from another angle of view.

Abstract: This method and apparatus starts with a lot of distinctively numbered documents consisting of a plurality of stacks of sheets, each sheet bearing multiple reproductions of the document. The documents in corresponding locations of successive sheets in the stack are in consecutive numerical order. In each sheet, the documents are arranged by rows and columns in an arbitrary, nonconsecutive numerical order in which successive members of the order bear numbers separated by a fixed difference. The method involves separating the stacks of documents into a plurality of piles, each pile having its documents in consecutive numerical order, but with the corresponding documents in successive piles separated by said fixed difference. The piles from successive stacks are deposited on successive ones of a plurality of tributary conveyors, all of which deliver their piles to a main conveyor.