Abstract: Graphic material includes at least one area bearing a hologram and at least one area bearing a diffraction grating. Preferably, the diffraction grating and the hologram are simultaneously viewable from at least one perspective. The graphic material is made using an embossing die grown from a precursor blank which has been embossed in discrete areas with a holographic microtexture and then partially overstamped with a diffraction grating microtexture. The stamping of the blank may be effected by pressing a suitably shaped die against a shim bearing a diffraction grating microtexture for forming the microtexture in the die shape on the blank.

Abstract: This invention includes a method for heating a deposition material to form a vapor that may be deposited on a polymer film and thereby create a holographic film or similar material. Included within this method is a vaporizer that has an adjustable aperture. The vaporizer may have (i) a flexible wall that defines a cavity in which a deposition material is heated (ii) a first lip extending outward from a first side of the flexible wall and (iii) a second lip extending outward from a second side of the flexible wall. The aperture size can be adjusted to a desired cross-sectional opening by adjusting the distance of separation between the first lip and the second lip. By adjusting the size of the aperture, the flow rate of the vapor from the vaporizer can be adjusted to achieve a desired flow rate. Heat from a heat source in thermal communication with the vaporizer may be employed to heat the deposition material to form a vapor.

Abstract: Graphic material includes at least one area bearing a hologram and at least one area bearing a diffraction grating. Preferably, the diffraction grating and the hologram are simultaneously viewable from at least one perspective. The graphic material is made using an embossing die grown from a precursor blank which has been embossed in discrete areas with a holographic microtexture and then partially overstamped with a diffraction grating microtexture. The stamping of the blank may be effected by pressing a suitably shaped die against a shim bearing a diffraction grating microtexture for forming the microtexture in the die shape on the blank.

Abstract: This invention includes an apparatus for heating a deposition material to form a vapor that may be deposited on a polymer film and thereby create a holographic film or similar material. A system and a method for producing such a film is also provided. Included within this system is a vaporizer that has an adjustable aperture. By adjusting the size of the aperture, the flow rate of the vapor from the vaporizer can be adjusted to achieve a desired flow rate. A heat source in thermal communication with the vaporizer may also be employed in the system to heat the deposition material to form a vapor. The vaporizer may be disposed within a vacuum chamber, which has a feed roll and a take up roll. As film is transferred from the feed roll to the take up roll, the vapor is deposited on the film. With the vaporizer of this invention, feed rates of about 1,500 fpm have been achieved.

Abstract: A material with holographic and non-holographic displayable indicia thereupon has an embossed holographic microtexture upon a surface thereof for forming a reflection hologram and resulting in an associated visible holographic pattern. A non-holographic pattern is printed with a printing press upon the embossed holographic microtexture at a predetermined orientation relative to the holographic pattern. The pattern may have several colors printed in registration and in registration with the holographic pattern which may include 2D and 3D indicia. A reflective coating overlies the microtexture and the printed pattern.

Abstract: A method for making transparent, reflective films includes coating a polymer film with ZnS by charging a set of carbon crucibles with ZnS cubes or pellets. The crucibles are heated by induction in a vacuum deposition chamber having a supply roll of the polymer film and a take-up roll. The ZnS cubes sublimate at a rate matched to web advance to insure a coating thickness for colorless films of at least 1,000 angstroms. The thickness of the ZnS layer on the film is monitored by visual observation of color by a source of visible white light and the rate of transfer of the film is adjusted to control the thickness of the ZnS layer.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method employ a printing press which normally includes a plurality of printing stations and a plurality of heating stations. An adhesive, rather than ink, is applied to a continuous web at at least one of the printing stations and heat is subsequently applied to the web at at least one of the heating stations in order to initiate curing of the adhesive. Roll leaf is pressed against the web with a pressure sufficient to transfer colored (i.e., metallic or non-metallic) material from the roll leaf to the adhesive which has been applied to the web and which is undergoing curing.

Abstract: A material with holographic and non-holographic displayable indicia thereupon has an embossed holographic microtexture upon a surface thereof for forming a reflection hologram and resulting in an associated visible holographic pattern. A non-holographic pattern is primed with a priming press upon the embossed holographic microtexture at a predetermined orientation relative to the holographic pattern. The pattern may have several colors primed in registration and in registration with the holographic pattern which may include 2D and 3D indicia. A reflective coating overlies the microtexture and the primed pattern.

Abstract: A phase hologram is embossed in a mylar web having a reflective layer which is made from tin tungsten oxide, zinc sulfide, or a mixture thereof. The embossed microtexture produces a hologram that is semi-transparent, thereby allowing the visualization of indicia underlying the hologram.

Abstract: A phase hologram is embossed in a mylar web having a tin tungsten oxide reflective layer deposited upon. The embossed microtexture produces a hologram that is semi-transparent, thereby allowing the visualization of indicia underlying the hologram.

Abstract: A method for increasing the authentication effect of a verification hologram to be affixed to a protected document includes laser etching individualized indicia into the reflective layer of each hologram produced en masse on a moving, continuous web. The laser is finely focused and guided by a computer which records the data used to form the selected indicia, such data being referenced for comparison to provide verification of authenticity upon presentation by a bearer. In one embodiment, the data used to create the indicia is generated by a computer program which may include a random number generator.

Abstract: A decorative multi-colored material and method of making same using rainbow gratings simultaneously evidence different color patterns which change through the color spectrum. The patterns are formed from separate impressions from different portions of a common rainbow grating to provide color differentiation. The multi-colored material may be used for a variety of applications, for example, decorative package wrappings, stickers, product enhancement and the like.

Abstract: Magnetic stripes are applied to magnetically readable credit cards by incorporating the magnetic stripes in a cover sheet and laminating this cover sheet to a core stock sheet and then severing the laminated assembly into individual cards. The magnetic material bearing cover sheet is made by feeding the cover sheet without stripes continuously through a nip along with a plurality of tapes. Each tape is a laminate originally including a release layer, a magnetic layer, an adhesive layer, in that order, on a carrier layer. Heat and pressure applied to the nip releases the magnetic layer from the carrier layer and activates the adhesive layer to bond the magnetic layer of each tape to the original cover sheet, thus forming a stripe on the cover sheet. Distortion of the cover sheet by substantial shrinkage or wrinkling due to the heat effects resulting from the bonding operation are effectively eliminated by the use of a chill roller.